Governor of Svalbard | |
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Sysselmesteren på Svalbard | |
since 24 June 2021 | |
Appointer | Ministry of Justice |
Term length | Three years, renewable once[1] |
Inaugural holder | Johannes Gerckens Bassøe |
Formation | 17 July 1925 |
Website | www |
See also |
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Politics of Norway |
The governor of Svalbard (Norwegian: Sysselmesteren på Svalbard) represents the Norwegian government in exercising its sovereignty over the Svalbard archipelago (Spitsbergen).[2]
The position reports to the Norwegian Ministry of Justice, but it maintains all Norwegian interests in the area, including environmental protection, law enforcement, representation, mediation, and civil matters, such as marriage, divorce.[3] An important part of the position is to maintain good working relations with the Russian community in Barentsburg.
To this end, the governor's organization consists of:[4]
The governor's office also has at its disposition several helicopters, snowmobiles, speedboats, and other equipment needed to meet its responsibilities. The office's annual budget is determined by the Norwegian Storting and runs at about NOK 60 million, of which the largest part is used for transportation.