WI: Norwegian Republic

Zeldar155

Banned
Let's say, the Norwegian Parliament fails to find anyone suitable in their opinion to the throne of Norway, or Prince Carl of Denmark refuses the offer, and that the voters who in OTL supported republicanism but voted for a monarchy to help Norway gain legitimacy votes for the republic anyway. The referendum goes in republic favour, how plausible is this? Also, would things go differently for Norway because of this?
 
If Norway becomes a republic then it has butterflies outside the country when Sweden and Denmark see that a country can survive without a king. So when Gustav V dies in Sweden the monarchy might die with him.
 
If Norway becomes a republic then it has butterflies outside the country when Sweden and Denmark see that a country can survive without a king. So when Gustav V dies in Sweden the monarchy might die with him.

As opposed to say Finland? Or West Germany? Or France?

Sweden is certainly the country in Europe (that is still a monarchy) that came closest to abolishing its monarchy in the 20th century but the monarchy survived because there is no popular mandate for abolition.

I believe the majority of the members of the Swedish parliament are on record as favouring a republic but until the monarchy ceases to have approval ratings in the 60s and 70s then the monarchy will continue to last.
 

Zeldar155

Banned
As opposed to say Finland? Or West Germany? Or France?

Sweden is certainly the country in Europe (that is still a monarchy) that came closest to abolishing its monarchy in the 20th century but the monarchy survived because there is no popular mandate for abolition.

I believe the majority of the members of the Swedish parliament are on record as favouring a republic but until the monarchy ceases to have approval ratings in the 60s and 70s then the monarchy will continue to last.

So, with a Norwegian republic, it is likely that the rest of monarchies (Denmark & Sweden) of Scandinavia will reform into republics aswell? Also, is it more likely that Norway fell to fascism or communism with a republic? A fascist or communist government elected in the depression or something, is that plausible?
 
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I believe the majority of the members of the Swedish parliament are on record as favouring a republic but until the monarchy ceases to have approval ratings in the 60s and 70s then the monarchy will continue to last.

That was true until the last election. with Swedish democrats in the parliament and the right side in majority the monarchy have a majority for the first time since around the 1810ths
 
Also, is it more likely that Norway fell to fascism or communism with a republic? A fascist or communist government elected in the depression or something, is that plausible?

That depends on the outcome of that most Norwegian of issues - the Bokmål/Riksmål v. Nynorsk/Landsmål one. ;) After all, IIRC, for a time which form of Norwegian written language one supported was bound up in politics.
 
If Norway becomes a republic then it has butterflies outside the country when Sweden and Denmark see that a country can survive without a king. So when Gustav V dies in Sweden the monarchy might die with him.

I doubt it. I mean, Sweden basically had a lot of time watching Finland survive perfectly fine without a monarch, yet that didn't change things. Plus, Gustaf V had a tremendous ability of getting away with shit, like his support for Adolf fucking Hitler and personal efforts into silencing anti-Nazi journalists. You essentially need to have the Social Democrats stay true to their original commitment to abolish the monarchy, have Gustaf V meddle even further in domestic politics than he did, be more outspoken in his support for the Nazis and, most importantly, you need to have Haijby affair get much more explosive. Then, maybe, just maybe, you'll be able to get the Swedish population to seriously consider getting rid off the monarchy.
 
That was true until the last election. with Swedish democrats in the parliament and the right side in majority the monarchy have a majority for the first time since around the 1810ths

Well, there are actually a couple of MPs for Folkpartiet advocating republicanism (Birgitta Ohlsson most notably), although for the other centre-right parties I don't know of. Suffice to say there isn't a lovefest for the monarchy in any party except for the Sweden Democrats (probably much to the dismay for the Royal Family, who has no interest in being seen as supportive of them). Still, most Swedish republicans don't feel that now is the time to do anything, arguing instead that the time to reawaken the debate will be first when Herr Bernadotte departs. I cannot blame them, as every year the monarchy remains in place without anyone officially questioning it, support for a transition towards a republic grows. After all, to paraphrase Woodrow Wilson, never interfere with an enemy while he's in the process of destroying himself...
 
This is quite easy to do IIRC - it was a close vote to decide against a republic in the first assembly of the Storting.
 
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