Constitutional monarchy
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. This means that Sweden has a king as head of state, but that the kings lack political power. All power emanates from the people and is exercised by elected representatives.
The King of Sweden is Carl XVI Gustaf, who ascended the throne in 1973. The King has a ceremonial and representative role – he opens the Riksdag, represents Sweden abroad and participates in state ceremonies. He cannot make political decisions.
The Riksdag – the people's most important organ
The Riksdag is Sweden's parliament and the people's highest decision-making body. It consists of 349 members elected by the people in general elections every four years. The Riksdag meets in the Riksdag House on Helgeandsholmen in Stockholm.
- The Riksdag has 349 members (Members of Parliament)
- Elections are held every four years, always on the third Sunday in September
- The Speaker of the Riksdag leads the Riksdag's work – a highly prestigious assignment
- The Riksdag is divided into 15 specialist committees that prepare matters
The Riksdag's three main tasks
The Riksdag has three central tasks in the Swedish state:
- 1. Legislation: the Riksdag enacts, amends and repeals laws
- 2. Budget decision: the Riksdag decides on the state's income and expenditure - how tax money is to be used
- 3. Control: the Riksdag examines that the government works in accordance with the Riksdag's decision (constitutional committee, JO, National Audit Office)
How a team is made
Enacting a new law is a careful process with several steps to ensure that the law is well thought out and democratically anchored.
- 1. Proposal: either from the government (bill) or from a Member of Parliament (motion)
- 2. Investigation: often a state investigation is added (SOU - State Public Investigations)
- 3. Referral: the proposal is sent out to relevant organizations and authorities for comments
- 4. Committee processing: the relevant parliamentary committee examines and prepares the proposal
- 5. Voting: the Riksdag votes; majority required (for constitution: two Riksdag decisions with elections in between)
- 6. Royal decree (sanction): the Prime Minister signs, the Secretary of State countersigns
- 7. Promulgation: the law is published in the Swedish Constitution (SFS)
The government and the prime minister
The government leads the kingdom and implements the Riksdag's decisions. It consists of the prime minister and a number of ministers, who each lead a part of the public administration (departments).
The Prime Minister is appointed by the Speaker of the Riksdag and must have the support of the Riksdag in order to govern. It is called parliamentarism. If the Riksdag votes against the prime minister in a vote of no confidence, the government must resign.
- The Prime Minister is the head of government and is appointed by the Speaker of the Riksdag
- Ministers lead ministries: Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, etc.
- The government submits bills (bills) to the Riksdag
- Every autumn, the government submits the budget bill – proposals for the state budget
Government authorities
Under the government there are a large number of government agencies that manage the day-to-day administration. The authorities are autonomous and politically independent in their decisions on individual cases – they obey the law, not the politicians.
- Arbetsförmedlingen: helps the unemployed find jobs; social security benefits
- Försäkringskassan: handles sickness benefit, parental benefit, child support, etc.
- The Swedish Tax Agency: collects taxes and manages population records
- The Swedish Migration Agency: handles applications for residence permits and citizenship
- The police authority: maintains order and fights crime
- The National Audit Office: examines that the state's money is used correctly
- The Ombudsman for Justice (JO): examines that authorities treat citizens fairly
290 municipalities – close to the citizens
Sweden is divided into 290 municipalities. The municipalities are responsible for the services that are closest to the citizens in everyday life. The municipal council is the municipality's highest decision-making body and is elected in general elections.
- School and preschool (childcare)
- Elderly care - home care and nursing homes
- Social services - support for vulnerable families, addicts, homeless people
- Water, sewage and waste management
- Streets, parks and local roads
- Emergency services (fire department)
- Libraries and cultural activities
21 regions – health and transport
Sweden is also divided into 21 regions (previously called counties). The regions are responsible for the services that require a larger population base and special skills.
- Health care: hospitals, health centers, specialist care
- Public transport: buses, trams, trains within the region
- Regional development and planning
- Dental care for children and young people
- Training of doctors and other healthcare personnel
Power sharing and independent institutions
The Swedish state is based on a clear separation of powers. The Riksdag makes the laws, the government implements them and the courts interpret them. The courts are independent from both the Riksdag and the government and cannot be controlled politically.