Politics

The activities of the Longyearbyen Local Authority are regulated by Chapter 5 of the Svalbard Act. The Longyearbyen Local Authority's area of responsibility is limited to the Longyearbyen planning area. Within its geographical area of responsibility, the Longyearbyen Local Council may conduct activities of public interest that are not covered by the state, and the Longyearbyen Local Council is responsible for all infrastructure that is not assigned to the state or others.

The Governor of Svalbard has county governor authority in relation to the Longyearbyen Local Council. The special conditions in Svalbard mean that there is also ongoing contact throughout the year between the Longyearbyen Local Council and the Polar Department of the Ministry of Justice and Public Security.