Royal immunity suggested abolished
Law experts and politicians want to change the Norwegian constitution making royals liable according to the law like everybody else.
"The law should apply to everyone," said Kåre Willoch, former Norwegian prime minister, to the Norwegian paper Dagsavisen.
Prince Joachim of Denmark was filmed this weekend while he was driving close to 170 kilometers (105 miles) per hour on the freeway, gravely extending the speed limit. According to Danish law, he will not be fined because he is royal, something which has erupted into a heated debate regarding the royal immunity in Denmark.
Politicians, law experts, and others are calling for a similar debate in Norway, according to the people Dagsavisen has interviewed.
"The King is today instituted as a symbol, but we have seen the royals walk around with a frozen pizza, carrying a café latte", said Trond Nordby, professor in political science at the University of Oslo, himself a declared republican, to the paper. "As they lose their elevated distinction, I see no reason why they should keep their immunity."
Carl-Erik Grimstad, expert on the royals and deputy head at the Royal Castle, stated that the time has come for a constitutional amendment.
"I have for a long time thought that the immunity law is outdated and not adequate," Grimstad said. "It was originally a constitutional protection between the governmental powers and not a protection against ordinary offences that anybody can get themselves into."
Socialist Left Party's Ågot Valle and Siri Hall Arnøy sued this fall a proposal to change the law. However, since a constitutional amendment is required, it will at the earliest be viewed when the next Parliament is in place after the election next year.
Via Nettavisen News in English.
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