The Norwegian government proposes introducing a requirement about three years’ residency in a Norwegian mainland municipality for others that Norwegian citizens in order to be allowed to vote and be eligible for the Longyearbyen Local Council.

“The population mix in Longyearbyen has changed since 2002, and in order to maintain the connection between the ma inland and Svalbard for the local council members, the government now proposes changing the regulations about voting rights and eligibility, says Minister of Justice and Preparedness Monica Mæland.

A key goal of the Norwegian Svalbard policy is maintaining a Norwegian community in Svalbard. This goal is achieved through the Longyearbyen local community. In later years, there has been significant in-migration to Longyearbyen directly from foreign countries, and there is currently a high number of residents not having any affiliation with the Norwegian mainland.

The hearing deadline is 25 October 2021.