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The Fundamental Laws - Rules For Society: Facts About The Riksdag
The Fundamental Laws - Rules For Society: Facts About The Riksdag
The Instrument of
Government(hint: it’s a
trumpet)
The most all-embracing
fundamental law is the In-strument
Most countries have a set of written fundamental laws of Government. The Instrument of
containing the basic rules for society. Legislation of Govern-ment, the latest version of
this type is also called a Constitution. The Swedish which came into force in 1974, sets
Constitution consists of four fundamental laws: out how democracy is to be
implemented in Sweden. It also
• the Instrument of Government
defines the distribution of power
• the Freedom of the Press Act between the Riksdag, Government,
• the Fundamental Law on local authorities, administrative
Freedom of Expression agencies and courts.
• the Act of Succession. Democracy means government
by the people. According to the
The fundamental laws are regarded as the highest
opening paragraph of the
level of public regulation and no other laws may con-
Instrument of Govern-
tradict them. The fundamental laws are intended to
ment, “All public power
safeguard democracy and are therefore more difficult
in Sweden proceeds
to amend than other laws. An important reason for
from the people”. This
this is that there needs to be time to reflect on chan-
is implemented by
ges and the possible consequences of these changes. Shush
means of universal
In order to amend a fundamental law, the
suffrage, whereby
Riksdag must vote in favour of the proposal for
all votes are of equal
amendment on two separate occasions. A
value, and through the
parliamentary election must be held between these
freedom
The to express
Sami one’s thoughts and
Parliament
two occasions. In con-nection with the parliamentary
opinions.
election, the Riksdag can hold a referendum on the
proposal. However, this possibility has never been
made use of to date.
The Riksdag Act occupies an intermediate posi-
tion between fundamental law and ordinary law. It
contains provisions on the organisation and working
procedures of the Riksdag.
Sweden’s membership of the European Union Democracy is, in other words,
(EU) is enshrined in the Instrument of Government. The Sami Parliament was established in 1993.
a way of making decisions, but it is also
As a result of Sweden’s EU membership, the Riksdag It has as its goal to safeguard, develop and
important that the decisions are
has transferred some of its decision-making powers coordinate all matters concerning Sami areas
democratic. This means that they must
to the EU. This is possible in matters not relating to of interest. It does not have power of taxation
be based on democratic ideas, such as
the principles for how the country is governed and and cannot adopt laws.
the equal value of all people.
that do not conflict with the European Convention
on Human Rights.69 Fundamental aims
Public power shall be exercised with
respect for all people’s equal value and
the liberty and dignity of the
individuals. L
2 Facts about the Riksdag The fundamental laws
The fundamental aims are the personal, economic The equality of all persons before the law
and cultural welfare of the individual. The right of Sweden is a state governed by the rule of law. This
the individual to work, housing and education is also means that everyone shall be treated equally before
highlighted. Society shall also promote social care the law and the courts and administrative authorities
and social services as well as favourable conditions shall be objective and impartial. The courts, adminis-
for good health. Promoting sustainable development trative authorities, Riksdag and Government are also
for a good environment is another goal. obliged to follow the law.
Society shall also work to combat all forms of Neither the Riksdag nor the Government may
discrimination. intervene in the decisions of the courts. Nor may they
The Sami people, as well as ethnic, linguistic and intervene in decisions by administrative authorities
religious minorities in Sweden shall have the oppor- regarding matters relating to individuals or local
tunity to preserve and develop a cultural and social authorities.
life of their own. One example of this is the Sameting, The Government submits certain legislative pro-
which is the Sami parliament. posals for legal review to the Council on Legislation.
This is an independent body which examines the
Citizens’ rights and compliance of the proposals with the fundamental
freedoms laws and with the judicial system in general.
A funda-
mental Representative democracy
right in a The Instrument of Government emphasises the fact
democracy that Sweden is a representative democracy. This
is that citizens can means that the people choose their representatives
express themsel- in the Riksdag, and municipal and county councils
ves freely in speech, at general elections. The elected representatives – the
writing and in pictu- politicians – are accountable to the voters for their
res. They must also decisions. The work of the politicians is carried out in
be entitled to convey the public eye and their actions can be examined.
information and express The principle of all power proceeding from the
thoughts, opinions and people is realised by means of our parliamentary
feelings in other ways. system of government. At the centre of this system is
Everyone must also be the Swedish parliament – the Riksdag. The Riksdag
entitled to procure and adopts laws, and determines central government taxes
receive information. They must have the right to and how central government funding shall be used.
organise and participate in demonstrations in public The Government governs the country and is
places and to join associations and organisations. It accountable to the Riksdag. The Government must
must also be permitted to practise one’s religion, alone enjoy the confidence of the Riksdag or at least be
or together with others. accepted by the Riksdag in order to remain in power.
The Instrument of Government contains a list This is known as the principle of parliamentary
of the freedoms and rights that all Swedish citizens government.
and others enjoy. Many of these rights and freedoms
are absolute and can only be changed by means of 349 members of the Riksdag elected
amendments to fundamental law. It is, for example, every four years
only possible to abolish the ban on capital punish- Every four years, 349 members are elected to the
ment or corporal punishment by amendments to Riksdag in free and secret elections, in accordance
fundamental law. One right that can be changed by with the Instrument of Government. This means that
means of ordinary legislation is the protection against the elections shall be held without external pressure
secret monitoring of telephone conversations etc. In and that voters cast their vote behind a screen where
most cases, the rights and freedoms set out in the nobody can see how they vote. All Swedish citizens
fundamental laws also apply to foreign citizens who who have reached the age of 18 are entitled to vote
are resident in Sweden. and are also eligible for election to the Riksdag.
The fundamental laws Facts about the Riksdag 3
The Prime Minister appoints thority under the Riksdag which examines all central
the Government ministers government activities and ensures that these are car-
The Government consists of the Prime Minister and a ried out efficiently.
number of ministers. To be a minister, it is necessary
to be a Swedish citizen. International relations
After an election, it is the Speaker of the Riks- It is the Government that enters into international
dag who consults the party leaders and proposes a agreements with other countries and international
candidate for Prime Minister. When the Riksdag has organisations. The Government discusses and seeks
approved the Speaker’s proposal, the Prime Minister support for its foreign policy from the members of
appoints the other Government ministers. the Riksdag in the Advisory Council on Foreign
According to the Instrument of Government, Affairs. Many agreements require a decision from the
Sweden is a monarchy where the head of state is a Riksdag, for example when an amendment to law or a
king or queen without political power. new law is required.