In 2002 Erna Solberg, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development at the time, expressed a wish to reduce the current tally with 100. The Ministry spent approximately 140 million NOK on a project to elucidate the possibilities in this field, and referendums were held in several municipalities in conjunction with the municipal elections of 2003. A small number of municipalities agreed to the plan; for instance the municipality of Frei merged with Kristiansund on January 1, 2008.
In 2002, Erna Solberg, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, aimed to reduce the current number of municipalities to 100. The Ministry spent approximately 140 million NOK on a project exploring this possibility, and referendums were held in several municipalities during the 2003 municipal elections. A small number of municipalities agreed to the plan; for instance, Frei merged with Kristiansund on January 1, 2008.