Facts about Sweden: Government sweden.se The Swedish system of government All public power proceeds from the people. This is the foundation of parliamentary democracy in Sweden. Everyone has the same rights, the same opportunity to have their say, and everyone is free to scrutinise how the politicians and public agencies exercise their power. In Sweden, general elections are held every make up the Constitution: the Instrument four years, with the latest one held in Sep- of Government, the Act of Succession, the tember 2018. Around 7.5 million people are Freedom of the Press Act and the Funda­ entitled to vote and there by influence which mental Law on Freedom of Expression. political party will represent them in the Among other things, the Instrument of Riksdag (the Swedish parliament), regional Government guarantees citizens the right councils and mu nic­­ipalities. People can also to obtain information freely, hold demon- influence Swedish politics in other ways – strations, form political parties and practise by taking part in referendums, joining a their religion. political party or commenting on reports The Act of Succession regulates the right pres ented by the government. of members of the House of Bernadotte to accede to the Swedish throne. The Swedish Constitution The Freedom of the Press Act sets out The Swedish Constitution defines how the principle of public access to official All public power in Sweden Sweden is governed. It regulates the re- documents in order to guarantee an open proceeds from the people, and the Riksdag is the lationships between decision-making and society with access to information about the foremost representative executive power, and the basic rights and work of the Riksdag, the government and of the people. freedoms of citizens. Four fundamental laws public agencies. This law allows people to Photo: Johnér/PlattformPhoto: Facts about Sweden: Government sweden.se study official documents whenever they Freedom of the Press Act, in regards to the wish. Another principle in the Freedom of prohibition of censorship, the freedom to DID YOU KNOW? the Press Act is the freedom to communicate communicate information and the right to information. Under this principle, everyone anonymity. Freedom of the press in Sweden is entitled to give information to Sweden's Freedom of the Press Act the media that they consider important and Fundamental rights dates back to 1766. Sweden was that they feel should be made public. The To amend a fundamental law, the Riksdag the first country in the world to publisher of the material is not entitled to must pass the amendment on two separate write freedom of the press into the con stitution. reveal the source if the individual in question occasions, separated by a parliamentary wishes to remain anonymous. election. The fundamental laws take prece- Loose/imagebank.sweden.se Mona Photo: The Law on Freedom of Expression, which dence over all other statutes and no law may came into force in 1992, largely mirrors the contravene the Constitution. Photo: Frank Chmura/Nordicphotos Frank Photo: Foreign policy Throughout the 20th century, Swedish foreign policy was based on the principle of non-alignment in peacetime and neutrality in wartime. Since 1995 Sweden has been a mem- ber of the European Union, and as a consequence of a new global security situation, Sweden has modified its foreign policy doctrine, The Riksdag has 349 members who are chosen by Sweden’s citizens every four years in general elections. including playing a more active role in European security cooperation. Major UN contributor Sweden's parliamentary system Sweden is one of the largest contribu- tors to the United Nations and one of The Riksdag makes the decisions and the government implements them. The govern- the few countries to meet the UN’s ment also submits proposals for new laws or law amendments to the Riksdag. aid target of 0.7 per cent of GNI (gross national income). Sweden became The 349­member Riksdag is Sweden's par- The eight parties currently represented a member of the UN in 1946, and liament and as such the country's primary in the Riksdag are (in order of percentage active involvement in the UN has representative forum. The entire Riksdag is share, from largest to smallest): the Social been central to Swedish foreign chosen by direct elections based on suffrage Democratic Party (Socialdemokraterna), policy ever since. for all Swedish citizens aged 18 or over who the Moderate Party (Moderaterna), the are, or previously have been, residents of Sweden Democrats (Sverigedemokraterna), National referendums Sweden. Since 1971, Sweden has had a uni- the Centre Party (Centerpartiet), the Left To date, six national referendums cameral (one­chamber) Riksdag. Party (Vänsterpartiet), the Christian Demo- have been held in Sweden. These General elections to the Riksdag are held crats (Kristdemokraterna), the Liberal polls are consultative in character and on the second Sunday of September every Party (Liberalerna), and the Green Party the Riksdag may reach decisions that four years. Eligibility to serve in the Riksdag (Miljöpartiet de gröna). run counter to their outcome. This has only happened on one occasion, requires Swedish citizenship and the attain- Appoints the prime minister ment of voting age. All elections employ in 1955, when a referendum was held The government governs the country but the principle of proportional representation, on the introduction of right-hand is accountable to the Riksdag. The Riksdag to ensure that seats are distributed among traffic. The Swedish people voted appoints a prime minister, who is tasked with the political parties in proportion to the votes against it but the government chose forming a government. The prime minister cast for them across the country as a whole. to introduce it nonetheless. personally chooses the ministers to make up Sweden’s last two referendums: Four per cent required the cabinet and also decides which ministers There is one exception to the rule of full will be in charge of the various ministries. 1994: Membership of the EU national proportionality: a party must Together, the prime minister and the cabinet Result: Yes receive at least 4 per cent of all votes in ministers form the government. Under the 2003: Introduction of the euro the election to gain representation in the Constitution, the government – not the head Result: No Riksdag, a rule designed to prevent very of state (the monarch) – is empowered to small parties from getting in. make governmental decisions. Facts about Sweden: Government sweden.se Ministers usually represent the politi cal The government is assisted in this task by party or parties in power. In many cases, the government offices and some 350 gov- LEARN MORE they have a seat in the Riksdag, which they ernment agencies. The cabinet as a whole retain during their period in the cabinet, is responsible for all government decisions. History of Swedish elections although an alternate takes over the duties Although many routine matters are in 2019: The Social Democratic Party and of a Riksdag member appointed to cabinet. practice decided by individual ministers and the Green Party form a govern­­ment in In other words, a cabinet minister must ab- only formally approved by the government, January, following a lengthy process. stain from voting in the Riksdag. All ministers the principle of collective responsibility is The election was held in Sep tember are, however, entitled to participate in par- reflected in all governmental work. 2018. liamentary debates. 2014: A minority left­of­centre As part of its official functions, the govern- At the official opening of the Riksdag each coalition takes over after the Alliance. ment: September, the prime minister de livers a • Presents bills to the Riksdag 2010: The ruling centre­right Alliance Statement of Government Policy. In it she or • Implements Riksdag decisions beats the left-of-centre coalition, but he presents the government’s policy goals • Allocates the funds appropriated by the without gaining an outright majority. for the coming year and defines priority Riksdag for expenditure on items in the 2006: The non-socialist parties form policy areas at national and inter national budget a four-party coalition government levels. • Represents Sweden in the EU called the Alliance. The government at work • Enters into agreements with other states 2002 and 1998: The Social Democrats The government rules Sweden by imple- • Takes decisions in certain admin istrative remain in office after both elections, menting the decisions of the Riksdag and by areas not covered by other authorities but in order to implement their formulating new laws or law amendments, • Directs the activities and operations of policies, they are forced to form on which the Riksdag decides. the executive branch. a parliamentary alliance with the Left Party and the Green Party. 1994: The Social Democrats form a new minority government. Starting Photo: Johnér Photo: from this year, general elections in Local and Sweden are held every four years instead of three. 1991: A non­socialist minority govern- regional ment of the Moderates, Liberals, the Centre Party and Christian Democrats administration is formed. 1988 and 1985: The Social Democrats Sweden has three levels of remain in power after both elections. domestic government: national, 1982: The non-socialist parties lose regional and local. In addition, their majority and a Social Democratic the European level has become minority government is formed. increasingly important since 1979: The non-socialist parties retain their parliamentary major ity, and Sweden joined the EU in 1995. a new three-party govern ment is The regional level formed. In the spring of 1981, the Mod- erate Party leaves the government. Sweden is divided into 21 regions, with po- litical tasks at this level undertaken by the 1976: The Social Democrats are de- regional councils.