Norwegian commentator calls monarchy undemocratic and predicts republic unlikely

The Finnish-Norwegian social commentator Sanna Sarromaa has sharply criticised Norway’s monarchy as an undemocratic institution, describing it as a “golden cage” that restricts the royal family’s personal freedoms, Dagbladet reports.

“When you’re born into a royal family and a line of succession, you can’t leave it. It’s the classic golden cage,” Sarromaa told the newspaper. She argued that while the royals enjoy material luxury, they lack basic freedoms—such as the right to express political opinions—despite Norway’s strong tradition of free speech.

“The king can give nice speeches about free speech, but he can’t exercise it himself. How sad is that? They didn’t choose this position,” she said.

Sarromaa, a historian, sociologist, and frequent media commentator known for her outspoken views on gender equality and society, dismissed the likelihood of Norway abolishing the monarchy. “Norwegians lack the will to act. If something’s going to happen in this country, they’ll commission five different reports. Four will gather dust, the fifth will get a redo—and in the end, nothing changes except that useless bureaucrats stay busy in their pseudo-jobs,” she said.

She acknowledged that transitioning to a republic would require constitutional changes beyond a simple parliamentary vote but expressed scepticism that Norway would ever take that step. “Norwegians are too fond of their royal family and too lacking in drive,” she said.

Her criticism targets the institution itself, not the individuals within it. “The royal family didn’t choose their roles; they fulfil them as best they can. I respect what they do for the country. But the monarchy as an institution must go,” she stated, comparing it to a “reality show” that distracts the public.

Sarromaa proposed a theoretical shift to a republic where, upon the king’s death, Crown Prince Haakon could become an elected president for a fixed term, with powers defined by political consensus. “Even if the president just cuts ribbons and says the right things—like the king does now—at least they’d be chosen,” she said.

The Royal Court declined to comment on Sarromaa’s remarks when contacted by Dagbladet.