hej sverige.
ENSVعربي
Start practicing
YOUR CITIZENSHIP STUDY MAP

Sweden's governance

Constitutional monarchy, Riksdag, government and authorities

Prepare for the Swedish citizenship civic test with practice questions and explanations about Sweden's governance.

Start practicing

Practice questions and answers

1. What is Sweden's Prime Minister Carl Gustaf actually called?

  1. Prime Minister
  2. King
  3. Speaker
  4. Director General
Show answer and explanation

King

Carl XVI Gustaf is Sweden's king and head of state. In a constitutional monarchy, the king has a ceremonial role without political power.

2. How many members does the Riksdag have?

  1. 299
  2. 349
  3. 399
  4. 449
Show answer and explanation

349

The Riksdag has 349 members who are elected by the people every four years. The Riksdag is the people's highest decision-making body.

3. What is the Speaker of the Riksdag?

  1. A minister responsible for the Riksdag's budget
  2. The person who leads the work of the Riksdag and appoints the Prime Minister
  3. A judge who resolves disputes in the Riksdag
  4. An ambassador who represents the Riksdag abroad
Show answer and explanation

The person who leads the work of the Riksdag and appoints the Prime Minister

The Speaker is the chairman of the Riksdag and leads the work of the Riksdag. It is the Speaker who appoints the Prime Minister after an election.

4. Why isn't the king prime minister in Sweden?

  1. The king is too old
  2. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy – the king has a ceremonial role, power rests with the Riksdag and the government
  3. The king does not want to be prime minister
  4. There is no law about it
Show answer and explanation

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy – the king has a ceremonial role, power rests with the Riksdag and the government

Sweden is a constitutional monarchy. The king is head of state with a ceremonial and representative function. All political power is exercised by the Riksdag and government elected by the people.

5. Since what year does cognatic succession apply in Sweden (eldest children inherit regardless of gender)?

  1. 1960
  2. 1975
  3. 1980
  4. 1995
Show answer and explanation

1980

Since 1980, cognatic succession to the throne applies in Sweden, which means that the eldest child inherits the throne regardless of gender. Crown Princess Victoria is thus heir to the throne.

6. How many municipalities are there in Sweden?

  1. 21
  2. 110
  3. 200
  4. 290
Show answer and explanation

290

Sweden has 290 municipalities. The municipalities are responsible for schools, care for the elderly, social services and local infrastructure.

7. How many regions are there in Sweden?

  1. 13
  2. 17
  3. 21
  4. 25
Show answer and explanation

21

Sweden has 21 regions (formerly county councils). The regions are mainly responsible for healthcare and public transport.

8. Which of these authorities will help you if you lose your job and need unemployment benefits?

  1. Tax Agency
  2. The Swedish Migration Agency
  3. The employment agency
  4. The enforcement agency
Show answer and explanation

The employment agency

The employment agency helps the unemployed find a new job and coordinates with the unemployment insurance fund. The Swedish Social Insurance Agency, on the other hand, handles sickness benefit and parental benefit.

9. Which of these is the responsibility of the municipalities (NOT the regions)?

  1. Hospitals and specialist care
  2. Ambulance service
  3. Primary school and preschool
  4. Public transport
Show answer and explanation

Primary school and preschool

Primary school and preschool are the responsibility of the municipalities. Hospitals and public transport are the responsibility of the regions.

10. What is the most important task of the Riksdag?

  1. To lead the police
  2. To enact laws, decide on the state budget and audit the government
  3. To judge in criminal cases
  4. To appoint the members of the court
Show answer and explanation

To enact laws, decide on the state budget and audit the government

The Riksdag's three main tasks are to make laws, decide on the state's budget and to check that the government is working correctly (constitutional control).

11. How is the prime minister appointed in Sweden?

  1. The people vote directly for the Prime Minister in a separate election
  2. The king appoints the prime minister
  3. The Speaker of the Riksdag appoints the Prime Minister after the election
  4. The Riksdag votes on a proposal from the king
Show answer and explanation

The Speaker of the Riksdag appoints the Prime Minister after the election

The Speaker of the Riksdag appoints the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister must have the support of the Riksdag in order to govern - this is the basic principle of parliamentarism.

12. How many committees is the Riksdag's work divided into?

  1. 7
  2. 10
  3. 15
  4. 20
Show answer and explanation

15

The Riksdag is divided into 15 specialist committees. Each committee is responsible for a policy area and prepares the matters that the Riksdag must decide on.

13. Which authority checks that the authorities treat the citizens correctly?

  1. The National Audit Office
  2. The Ombudsman for Justice (JO)
  3. Tax Agency
  4. Security Police (SÄPO)
Show answer and explanation

The Ombudsman for Justice (JO)

The Ombudsman for Justice (JO) reviews that state and municipal authorities comply with laws and treat citizens correctly. It is an independent reviewer.

14. What is the document that the government submits to the Riksdag with proposals for the state budget called?

  1. The Cabinet Bill
  2. The budget bill
  3. The financial plan
  4. The tax report
Show answer and explanation

The budget bill

Every autumn, the government submits the budget bill to the Riksdag - a proposal for the state's income and expenditure for the next year.

15. Can municipalities and regions levy their own taxes?

  1. No, only the state collects taxes
  2. Yes, they collect municipal tax and regional tax
  3. Only regions, not municipalities
  4. Only if the Riksdag approves it every year
Show answer and explanation

Yes, they collect municipal tax and regional tax

Yes, municipalities and regions have the right to levy municipal tax and regional tax (income tax). This tax finances school, care and welfare and varies between different municipalities.

More topics to practise