Sweden

This article is part of the series: Politics and government of Sweden Image File history File links Sweden_lesser_arms. ... Politics of Sweden takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic monarchy, whereby the Prime Minister of Sweden is the head of government, and of a pluriform multi-party system. ...

Constitution King Carl XVI Gustaf Parliament Speaker Per Westerberg Members Cabinet Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt Government agencies Counties (Län) Administrative Boards Governors Councils Municipalities Sami Parliament Elections Parliament: 2006 Referenda Political parties Foreign relations EU Politics

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The Swedish Constitution consists of four fundamental laws (Swedish: grundlagar): Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a representative democracy based on a parliamentary system. ... Carl XVI Gustaf, King of Sweden (Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus) (born April 30, 1946, at Haga Palace, Solna, Uppland), is the head of state of the Kingdom of Sweden. ... The parliament building from outside. ... The Speaker, or Talman, of the Riksdag is the chairman of the national parliament in Sweden. ... Per Westerberg Per Erik Gunnar Westerberg (born 2 August 1951) is a Swedish Moderate Party politician and as of 2006 the current Speaker of the Riksdag. ... [edit] Members who have resigned Categories: | | ... The government of Sweden is a constitutional monarchy with a representative democracy based on a parliamentary system. ... The Prime Minister or statsminister (minister of state) is the head of Government in Sweden. ... John Fredrik Reinfeldt (IPA: ) (born August 4, 1965 in Österhaninge) is the current Prime Minister of Sweden and leader of the liberal conservative Moderate Party (Swedish: ). A native of Stockholm County, Reinfeldt joined the Moderate Youth League in 1983, and by 1992 had risen to the rank of chairperson of... The Government agencies in Sweden are state controlled organizations who act independently to carry out the policies of the Swedish Government. ... A county, or län, is an administrative and political subdivision of Sweden. ... A County Administrative Board is a Government appointed board of a County in Sweden. ... The Swedish Counties were run by Governors, appointed by the Swedish monarch, since their establishment in 1634. ... A County Council, or Landsting, is an elected assembly of a County in Sweden. ... The Municipalities or Kommuner represent the local level of self government in Sweden. ... The Sami Parliament is a representative body for peoples of Sami heritage in several Scandinavian countries. ... Elections in Sweden gives information on election and election results in Sweden. ... A general election was held in Sweden on September 17, 2006 to elect members to the Riksdag. ... Since the introduction of parliamentarism in Sweden six referendums have been held. ... Political parties in Sweden lists political parties in Sweden. ... The foreign policy of Sweden is based on the premise that national security is best served by staying free of alliances in peacetime in order to remain a neutral country in the event of war. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... Information on politics by country is available for every country, including both de jure and de facto independent states, inhabited dependent territories, as well as areas of special sovereignty. ... Fundamental Law(s) may refer to A constitution, in particular, The Russian Constitution of 1906. ...

• The Instrument of Government (Regeringsformen, 1974)
• The Act of Succession (Successionsordningen 1810)
• The Freedom of the Press Act (Tryckfrihetsförordningen 1766)
• The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen 1991)

There is also a law on the working order of the Parliament with a special status but which does not qualify as a "fundamental law", although certain parts of it is harder to change than ordinary laws: 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... The Act of Succession, or Successionsordningen, is a part of the Swedish Constitution. ... 1810 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... 1766 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1991 (MCMXCI) was a common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. ...

• The Riksdag Act (Riksdagsordningen 1974)

To amend or to make a revision of a fundamental law, the Parliament needs to approve the changes twice in two successive terms, with a general election having been held in between. Alternatively the change can be approved by a popular vote coinciding with a general election and the Parliament resulting from that election, although this option has never been utilised. 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ...

Instrument of Government

The most important of the "fundamental laws" is The Instrument of Government (Swedish: Regeringsformen, RF.) It sets out the basic principles for political life in Sweden defining rights and freedoms.

The Parliamentarian Instrument of Government of 1974 grants the power to commission a Prime Minister to the The Parliament (Swedish: Riksdag) at the suggestion of the Speaker of the Riksdag. The Prime Minister appoints members of Cabinet including heads of ministries, totalling to approximately 22 members. The Cabinet decides collectively in governmental matters after report of the Head of Ministry in question. At least five Cabinet members are to be present at the decision. In practice reports are written, and discussions very rare, during the formal Cabinet meetings. A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... A prime minister is the most senior minister of a cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. ... Alternate meanings in cabinet (disambiguation) A Cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of government, typically representing the executive branch. ... A ministry is a department of a government, led by a minister. ... A government is a body that has the authority to make and the power to enforce laws within a civil, corporate, religious, academic, or other organization or group. ...

Remaining constitutional functions for The Head of State, i.e. the King, include: heading the Council of State (the King plus the Cabinet), heading the Council on Foreign Affairs, recognizing new Cabinets (in the Council of State), and opening the Parliament's yearly session. The King is to be continuously briefed on governmental issues - in the Council of State or directly by the Prime Minister. Queen Elizabeth II, is the Head of State of 16 countries including: the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Jamaica, New Zealand and the Bahamas, as well as crown colonies and overseas territories of the United Kingdom. ...

The first constitutional Instrument of Government was enacted in 1719, marking the transition from Autocracy to Parliamentarism. Sweden's bloodless revolution of 1772 was legitimized by the Parliament in new versions of the Instrument of Government (in 1772 and 1789), making the King a "Constitutional Autocrat". When Sweden was split in 1809, and the Grand Duchy of Finland was created as an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, this "Constitutional Autocracy" was very well fitted, and remained in force until Finland's independence in 1917. // Events January 23 - The Principality of Liechtenstein is created within the Holy Roman Empire April 25 - Daniel Defoe publishes Robinson Crusoe June 10 - Battle of Glen Shiel Prussia conducts Europes first systematic census Miners in Falun, Sweden find an apparently petrified body of Fet-Mats Israelsson in an unused... An Autocracy is a form of government in which unlimited power is held by a single individual. ... A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1789 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... 1809 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Grand Duchy of Finland was a state that existed 1809–1917 as part of the Russian Empire. ... An autonomous (subnational) entity is a subnational entity that has a certain amount of autonomy. ... Official language Russian Official Religion Russian Orthodox Christianity Capital Saint Petersburg (Petrograd 1914-1924) Area Approx. ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ...

In Sweden the loss of virtually half the realm led to another bloodless revolution, a new royal dynasty, and a new Instrument of Government of June 6, 1809 (as well as a new Freedom of Press Act and Act of Succession), under which the King still played a central role in government, however no longer independent of the Privy Council. The King was free to choose Councillors, but was bound to decide in governmental matters only in presence of the Privy Council, or a subset thereof, and after report of the Councillor responsible for the matter in question. The Councillor had to countersign a royal decision, unless it was un-constitutional, whereby it gained legal force. The Councillor was legally responsible for his advice, and was obliged to note his dissension in case he didn't agree with the King's decision. De jure this Constitution puts a considerable power on the King; a power increasingly used to follow the Councillors' advice, and from 1917 to adhere to principles of Parliamentarism by choosing Councillors possessing direct or indirect support from a majority of the Parliament. // For other uses, see Dynasty (disambiguation). ... The Instrument of Government, or Regeringsformen, adopted on June 6, 1809 by the Riksdag of the Estates was the constitution of Sweden from 1809 to 1974. ... June 6 is the 157th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (158th in leap years), with 208 days remaining // 1508 - Maximilian I, Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year truce and cede several territories to Venice 1513... 1809 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... The Swedish Senate: Riksrådet, from 1809 Statsrådet, from 1975 Regeringen was and is the principal government institution of Sweden The Swedish Senate, Senatus Regni Sueciae, originated as a council of Regional Magnates acting as advisers to the Monarch of the combined Realms of the Swedes (from 996, approximately). ... 1917 (MCMXVII) was a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar (see link for calendar) or a common year starting on Tuesday of the 13-day slower Julian calendar. ... A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ...

After over 50 years of de facto Parliamentarism it was written into the Instrument of Government of 1974 which, although technically adherent to Constitutional monarchy, finally abolished the Privy Council. A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ... 1974 (MCMLXXIV) was a common year starting on Tuesday. ... Constitutional monarchies with representative parliamentary systems are shown in red. ... The Swedish Senate: Riksrådet, from 1809 Statsrådet, from 1975 Regeringen was and is the principal government institution of Sweden The Swedish Senate, Senatus Regni Sueciae, originated as a council of Regional Magnates acting as advisers to the Monarch of the combined Realms of the Swedes (from 996, approximately). ...

A commemorative coin of the 150th anniversary of the Instrument of Government of 1809

Swedish 5 krona coin from 1959, commemorating the 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial) of the Instrument of Government of June 6, 1809. ... Swedish 5 krona coin from 1959, commemorating the 150th anniversary (sesquicentennial) of the Instrument of Government of June 6, 1809. ...

Act of Succession

Main article: Act of Succession The Act of Succession, or Successionsordningen, is a part of the Swedish Constitution. ...

Sweden's switch from elective to hereditary monarchy in 1544 gave reason to Sweden's first law of constitutional character, in form of a treaty between the royal dynasty and the realm represented by the four Estates to be valid for all times. Places where monarchies maintain rule appear in blue. ... Events April 11 - Battle of Ceresole - French forces under the Comte dEnghien defeat Imperial forces under the Marques Del Vasto near Turin. ... // For other uses, see Dynasty (disambiguation). ... The Riksdag of the Estates, or Ståndsriksdagen, was the name used for the Estates of the Swedish realm, or Rikets ständer, when they were assembled. ...

Accordingly the current 1810 Act of Succession (Swedish: Successionsordningen, SO) is a treaty between the old Riksdag of the Estates and the House of Bernadotte regulating the right to accede to the Swedish throne. In 1980 the old principle of "agnatic primogeniture", which meant that the throne was inherited by the eldest male child of the preceding monarch, was replaced by the principle of "equal primogeniture." This meant that the throne will be inherited by the eldest child without regard to sex. Thereby Princess Victoria, the eldest child of King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden, was created heiress apparent to the Swedish throne over her younger brother, Prince Carl Philip. The Riksdag of the Estates, or Ståndsriksdagen, was the name used for the Estates of the Swedish realm, or Rikets ständer, when they were assembled. ... The House of Bernadotte, the current Royal House of the Kingdom of Sweden, has reigned since 1818. ... 1980 (MCMLXXX) was a leap year starting on Tuesday. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden (Victoria Ingrid Alice Désirée Bernadotte), born July 14, 1977, Duchess of Västergötland, is the heir apparent to the Swedish throne. ... His Majesty King Carl XVI Gustaf (Carl Gustaf Folke Hubertus), styled HM The King (born April 30, 1946), King of Sweden, is the son of Prince Gustaf Adolf (1906-1947) and Sibylla of Saxe_Coburg_Gotha (1908-1972), and the grandson of King Gustav VI Adolf. ... HRH Prince Carl Philip of Sweden His Royal Highness Prince Carl Philip of Sweden (Carl Philip Edmund Bertil) (born May 13, 1979), Duke of Wermelandia, is the second child and only son of HM King Carl XVI Gustaf and HM Queen Silvia of Sweden. ...

Freedom of the press and freedom of expression

The other two acts define the freedom of the press and other forms of expression. They are separated into two separate laws mainly to maintain the tradition of the Freedom of the Press Act from 1766. Freedom of the press (or press freedom) is the guarantee by a government of free public press for its citizens and their associations, extended to members of news gathering organizations, and their published reporting. ... Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what one pleases, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated. ... 1766 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ...

The Freedom of the Press Act (Swedish: Tryckfrihetsförordningen, TF) has actually been changed several times since its first incarnation. In 1772, 1810, 1812, 1949 and 1982. It was not, however, until the 1810 Act that what we today generally call freedom of expression was secured. The 1766 Act held for example that freedom of expression was to be uninhibited, except for "violations", which included blasphemy and criticism of the state. Look up blasphemy in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (Swedish: Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen, YGL) of 1991 is a lengthier document defining freedom of expression in all media except for written books and magazines (such as television, the Internet, radio, etc.)

Public access to governmental documents

In the 18th century, after over 40 years of mixed experiences with Parliamentarism, Public access to government documents was one of the main issues with the Freedom of the Press Act of 1766. Although the novelty was put out of order 1772-1809, it has since remained central in the Swedish mindset, seen as a forceful means against corruption and government agencies' inequal treatment of the citizens, increasing the perceived legitimacy of (local and central) government and politicians. The Principle of Publicity (Swedish: Offentlighetsprincipen), as the collection of rules are commonly referred to, provides that all information and documents created or received by a public institution (local or central government, and all publicly operated establishments) must be available to all members of the public. It also states that all public institutions must do everything in their power to give anyone access to any information that he or she might want as soon as possible. The only exceptions to this rule are regulated in the Secrecy Act (Sekretesslag 1980:100). The exceptions that are set out in the Secrecy Act is detailed and contains information about the at what government agency what type of document can be kept secret, under what circumstances, and towards whom. According to Second Chapter, Article 2, in The Freedom of the Press Act (part of the Swedish constitution): "The right of access to official documents may be restricted only if restriction is necessary having regard to A parliamentary system, or parliamentarism, is distinguished by the executive branch of government being dependent on the direct or indirect support of the parliament, often expressed through a vote of confidence. ... A sunshine law requires that a government makes its information and procedures available for inspection by the public, metaphorically letting the sun shine on the activities of government. ... 1766 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... Year 1772 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... 1809 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

• the security of the Realm or its relations with a foreign state

or an international organization;

• the central finance policy, monetary policy, or foreign exchange policy of the Realm;
• the inspection, control or other supervisory activities of a public authority;
• the interest of preventing or prosecuting crime;
• the public economic interest;
• the protection of the personal integrity or economic conditions of private subjects;
• the preservation of animal or plant species."

This list is exhaustive and the parliament may not legislate about restriction outside the scope of this list, and any exceptions has to be legislated into the Secrecy Act previously mentioned. Secrecy is limited to a maximum time of 70 years (when relating to individuals that is 70 years after the person's death).

Lutheran State Church

See also: Church of Sweden Bishop Lennart Koskinen with some young people. ...

In 1593, after 70 years of Reformation and Counter-Reformation in Sweden, adherence to the Augsburg confession was decided and given constitutional status at the Synode of Uppsala (Uppsala möte). References to Uppsala möte has since then been worked into the fundamental laws, notably the Act of Succession. Events May 18 - Playwright Thomas Kyds accusations of heresy lead to an arrest warrant for Christopher Marlowe. ... The Protestant Reformation was a movement which began in the 16th century as a series of attempts to reform the Roman Catholic Church, but ended in division and the establishment of new institutions, most importantly Lutheranism, Reformed churches, and Anabaptists. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Augsburg Confession The Augsburg Confession, also known as the Augustana from its Latin name, Confessio Augustana, is the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran Church and one of the most important documents of the Lutheran reformation. ... Constitution of the United States, markedly faded as it appears today. ... The Act of Succession, or Successionsordningen, is a part of the Swedish Constitution. ...

In 1999 the Church was separated from the state and became an independent organization, but the ruling body of the church is still decided by public voting (among members of the church), and mostly consists of the political parties. As a result of this separation, persons born in Sweden where the parents are members of the Church of Sweden since 1999 no longer become members of the church automatically at birth. 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article may require cleanup. ... Bishop Lennart Koskinen with some young people. ... 1999 (MCMXCIX) was a common year starting on Friday, and was designated the International Year of Older Persons by the United Nations. ...

See also

• Instrument of Government (1809)

The Instrument of Government, or Regeringsformen, adopted on June 6, 1809 by the Riksdag of the Estates was the constitution of Sweden from 1809 to 1974. ...

External links

Wikisource has original text related to this article:

Instrument of Government (1974)

• Regeringsform (1974) - at Wikisource (in Swedish)
• Swedish historical documents - at Wikisource
• The Constitution of Sweden - at the Riksdag