2016
(165 mm) (165 mm) (13 mm)
T he
C onstitution
ofSw eden
The Fundam
entalLaw s
and the
R iksdagA
ct
The Swedish Parliament • SE-100 12 Stockholm • Phone: +46 8 7864000 • www.riksdagen.se
The majority of democratic countries have a written constitution which regulates how society shall be governed. Sweden has four fundamental laws: the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. These establish among other things how parliament and government are to be appointed and how they shall function. The fundamental laws also include protection for citizens’ rights and freedoms.
The organisation and working procedures of the Riksdag (the Swedish Parliament) are regulated in more detail in the Riksdag Act, which occupies an intermediate position between fundamental law and ordinary law. On 1 September 2014, a new Riksdag Act came into force.
The Constitution of Sweden contains an introduction describing the Swedish form of government and how it developed, followed by the law texts in their entirety in English translation, as of 1 January 2015.
The Constitution of Sweden The Fundamental Laws and the Riksdag Act
2016
The Constitution of Sweden the fundamental laws and the riksdag act
With an introduction by Magnus Isberg
2016
Published by Sveriges Riksdag, 2016 SE-100 12 Stockholm, Sweden Tel: +46 8 786 40 00 www.riksdagen.se
Design and production: The Riksdag Administration, Information Department. Printed by: The Riksdag Administration, Department for Parliamentary Documents, Stockholm 2016.
ISBN: 978-91-86673-25-3
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Foreword Like most other democratic countries, Sweden has a written constitution. It regulates the manner in which the Riksdag (the Swedish Parliament) and the Government are appointed, and sets out the way in which these State bodies shall work. Freedom of opinion and other rights and free doms enjoy special protection under the Constitution.
The Constitution thus establishes a framework for the exercise of political power. This framework can only be changed after very careful consideration. This is expressed in the special procedure laid down for amendment of the Constitution. Fundamental law is enacted by means of two identical decisions of the Riksdag. These decisions must be separated by a general election. As of 1980, it is also possible to hold a binding refe rendum on a draft constitutional measure held in abeyance.
Sweden has four fundamental laws: the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. The Riksdag Act occupies a position between fundamental law and ordinary law. After a lengthy review pro cess, the Riksdag decided in 1974 to replace the old 1809 Instrument of Government with a new one. The earlier Riksdag Act of 1866 was also replaced. The laws came into force on 1 January 1975. Both the funda mental laws and the Riksdag Act have since been amended.
A new Riksdag Act came into force on 1 September 2014. The Instrument of Government, the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression have also been amended on a few points since the last edition of this book (2012).
The book begins with an overview of developments in relation to con stitutional law in Sweden. This is followed by an account of the principal contents of the fundamental laws and the Riksdag Act. The main part of the book contains the fundamental laws and the Riksdag Act in the wor ding in force from 1 January 2016.
The introduction was prepared by Magnus Isberg, Associate Professor in Political Science and former Head of Secretariat of the Committee on the Constitution, and was updated in 2015 by Hans Hegeland, Ph.D. in Political Science and Senior Committee Secretary at the Committee on the Constitution.
Urban Ahlin Speaker of the Riksdag
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Abbreviations AS The Act of Succession EC The European Communities EU European Union FLFE The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression FPA The Freedom of the Press Act IG The Instrument of Government RA The Riksdag Act SFS Swedish Code of Statutes (Svensk Författningssamling)
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Contents The development of constitutional law in Sweden ...................................9
Why do we have a constitution? .......................................................9 A look back at history .....................................................................10 Constitutional developments after the Second World War .............15
A new Instrument of Government and a new Riksdag Act ....15 Further work on the Constitution ...........................................17 Full review of the Instrument of Government ........................19 New fundamental laws for the freedom of expression............22
The principal content of the fundamental laws and the Riksdag Act ......25 The Instrument of Government (IG) ..............................................25
Basic principles of the form of government............................25 Fundamental rights and freedoms ..........................................28 The Riksdag ...........................................................................33 The Head of State ...................................................................35 The Government .....................................................................35 Acts of law and other provisions ............................................37 Financial power ......................................................................40 International agreements and transfers of power ...................42 Sweden and the EU ................................................................43 Administration of justice and public administration ..............45 Parliamentary control .............................................................46 Local authorities .....................................................................49 War and the danger of war .....................................................49
The Riksdag Act (RA) ....................................................................51 Riksdag sessions .....................................................................51 Leadership and planning of the work of the Riksdag .............51 Meetings of the Chamber .......................................................52 Introduction of business .........................................................53 Preparation of business ...........................................................53 Settlement of business ............................................................55 Staff and administration .........................................................56
The Act of Succession .....................................................................56 The Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression...........................56
The freedom to produce and disseminate information ...........56 The principle of exclusivity ....................................................57 Ban on censorship and other obstacles ...................................57 News sources ..........................................................................58 Liability rules .........................................................................60
Select bibliography..........................................................................62 The Instrument of Government................................................................65
Chapter 1. Basic principles of the form of government ..................65 Chapter 2. Fundamental rights and freedoms..................................66 Chapter 3. The Riksdag ...................................................................72
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Chapter 4. The work of the Riksdag................................................75 Chapter 5. The Head of State...........................................................77 Chapter 6. The Government ............................................................78 Chapter 7. The work of the Government .........................................79 Chapter 8. Acts of law and other provisions....................................80 Chapter 9. Financial power..............................................................85 Chapter 10. International relations ..................................................87 Chapter 11. Administration of justice .............................................90 Chapter 12. Administration..............................................................92 Chapter 13. Parliamentary control...................................................94 Chapter 14. Local authorities...........................................................96 Chapter 15. War and danger of war .................................................96 Transitional provisions ..................................................................100
The Riksdag Act (2014:801)..................................................................103 Chapter 1. Introductory provisions................................................103 Chapter 2. Elections to the Riksdag...............................................104 Chapter 3. Riksdag sessions ..........................................................104 Chapter 4. Direction and planning of the work of the Riksdag.....106 Chapter 5. The members of the Riksdag .......................................108 Chapter 6. The Chamber................................................................110 Chapter 7. The Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs ...................................117 Chapter 8. Interpellations and questions to ministers ...................123 Chapter 9. Introduction of business ..............................................126 Chapter 10. Preparation of business .............................................134 Chapter 11. Settlement of business ..............................................137 Chapter 12. Elections in the Riksdag ............................................145 Chapter 13. Riksdag bodies and boards ........................................151 Chapter 14. The Riksdag Administration .....................................159
The Act of Succession............................................................................167 The Freedom of the Press Act................................................................171
Chapter 1. On the freedom of the press .........................................171 Chapter 2. On the public nature of official documents..................173 Chapter 3. On the right to anonymity ............................................178 Chapter 4. On the production of printed matter.............................180 Chapter 5. On the publication of periodicals.................................181 Chapter 6. On the dissemination of printed matter........................184 Chapter 7. On offences against the freedom of the press ..............185 Chapter 8. Liability rules ...............................................................189 Chapter 9. On supervision and prosecution...................................191 Chapter 11. On private claims for damages...................................194 Chapter 12. On court proceedings in freedom of the press cases..195 Chapter 13. On matter printed abroad etc......................................198 Chapter 14. General provisions .....................................................199 Transitional provisions ..................................................................200
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The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression ................................201
Chapter 7. On supervision, prosecution
Chapter 9. On court proceedings in freedom
Chapter 10. On radio programmes and technical recordings
Chapter 1. Basic provisions ...........................................................201 Chapter 2. On the right to anonymity ............................................205 Chapter 3. On transmission, production and dissemination ..........207 Chapter 4. On responsible editors..................................................210 Chapter 5. On freedom of expression offences .............................211 Chapter 6. Liability rules ...............................................................212
and special coercive measures.......................................................213 Chapter 8. On damages..................................................................215
of expression cases ........................................................................216
emanating from abroad etc. ...........................................................216 Chapter 11. General provisions .....................................................217 Transitional provisions ..................................................................217
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8
The development of constitutional law in Sweden
Why do we have a constitution? If a state is to function effectively, its citizens need to agree on the rules of the game. If these are observed, decisions are perceived to be legitimate. The rule of law is a precondition for legal security and the durability of the form of government. This has applied in Sweden throughout the ages. Ever since the time of the Uppland Law in the late 13th century, the rule has been ‘Land shall with Law be built’.
It is natural that the basic rules about how political decisions shall be taken should be assembled in a document or statute. Virtually every coun try has such a document, often known as a constitution: in Sweden the term is fundamental law. There are exceptions, however, of which Britain is the best known. The British rules of the game are to be found in separa te acts of parliament and in unwritten law, that is to say, in practice.
In most countries statutes are assembled in a single document. Sweden, however, has four fundamental laws: the Instrument of Government (IG), the Act of Succession (AS), the Freedom of the Press Act (FPA), and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (FLFE). The central provisions are contained in the Instrument of Government, and this corresponds most closely to the constitutions of other countries.
It is necessary, then, to agree on the rules of the game. When the pre sent Instrument of Government was adopted, it was also widely felt that broad support was desirable on the most fundamental questions.
Almost every country has constitutional rules designed to encourage such broad support. Amending the Constitution calls for a more complex, and frequently a more difficult, procedure than amending an ordinary act of law, for example approval by two Parliaments with a general election intervening, a qualified majority in Parliament, a referendum requiring a certain minimum level of support for the proposal or some combina tion of these conditions. The idea behind these rules which prescribe a more complex, or at least a more protracted procedure, is that a proposed amendment should have broad support if it is to be adopted, that time for reflection is necessary, and that it is reasonable for the people to have an opportunity to express their views, either in an election or through a referendum. Constitutional change should be ‘hedged about with onerous formalities, necessary to deter ill-considered experiments and forestall hasty decisions’, as the 1809 Committee on the Constitution put it.
The rules in a constitution specify the bodies which take deci sions, that is to say, the people through their elected representatives in Parliament or through a referendum, the Head of State, the Government, the judiciary, and the administrative authorities. They also specify how these bodies are formed and how functions are distributed among them. These basic rules of the game create the conditions that give legitimacy to
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN SWEDEN
the decisions taken. It might be added that the rules of the game are more indispensable than ever in times of tension and conflict.
But the Constitution must not be merely a catalogue of formalities. It must not restrict itself to merely listing decision-making bodies and procedures. It must also give serious consideration to the content of the decisions taken.
It is usual for a constitution to contain general statements of principle, often in an introduction or preamble, which are declared to form the ba sis of the Constitution. Such statements are found in the opening article of the Instrument of Government, which states that all public power in Sweden proceeds from the people, and that Swedish democracy is foun ded on the free formation of opinion and on universal and equal suffrage. This introduces an ideological element, and similar confessions of politi cal faith are probably to be found in every constitution.
There are also clauses in the Constitution which establish general policy goals. For example, the introductory chapter of the Instrument of Government (IG 1:2) states that the personal, economic and cultural wel fare of the individual is a funda-mental goal of public activity. These are not however rules of law in the sense that they can be enforced in a court of law.
Providing protection for citizens in relation to the State is an important constitutional function. The idea that humanity has certain natural funda mental rights and freedoms, which people in positions of power should not abuse, has been kept alive ever since antiquity. Declarations of rights and freedoms or corresponding sets of rules have become a common fea ture of constitutions. Chapter 2 of the Instrument of Government is desig ned to safeguard citizens’ fundamental rights and freedoms.
Another important function of a constitution is to inform. It is particu larly important for a constitution to be written in language that can gene rally be understood by all citizens with an interest in public affairs. One of the explicit purposes of the 2010 revision of the Swedish Instrument of Government was to make it clearer and easier to grasp.
The Constitution also has a symbolic function. This is particularly noticeable in countries like the United States and Norway, whose con stitutions were drawn up in tense and dramatic circumstances. The US Constitution is the oldest constitution in the world currently in force and that of Norway is the next oldest.
To sum up, the Constitution is the very foundation on which rest all decisions in the public sphere. All decision-makers base their legitimacy on the Constitution. But the Constitution also has other important func tions, in particular that of safeguarding the fundamental rights and free doms of the citizens.
A look back at history Rimbert, Archbishop of Hamburg and Bremen in the latter part of the 800s, wrote a biography of Ansgar his predecessor, who was known as the apostle of the North. In it he writes that when Ansgar was on his mission to convert the people living around Lake Mälaren, their King told him: ‘It
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is customary among us that decisions on public matters depend more on the unanimous will of the people than on the power of the King.’
It is of course open to question whether such a statement is genuine and to what extent it reflects reality. But it clearly indicates that the idea of Sweden being a constitutional state has a long tradition. In Swedish history, demands for a separation of powers, or constitutionalism, have gone hand in hand with demands for a written constitution.
Sweden has had a written constitution valid throughout the nation since the mid-14th century, when the Landslag, the National Law of King Magnus Eriksson, was drawn up. The Royal Statute of the National Law lays down rules governing the election of a King, his duties, his right to levy taxes under certain conditions and the right of the people to parti cipate in decisions concerning taxes, the election of councillors, and the functions of the Council of State. The Royal Statute corresponds to our modern Instrument of Government.
Swedish popular representation, known as a Riksdag or Diet from the late 1500s, developed from meetings to elect the King and the local tax ation boards that were stipulated in the Royal Statute. It also developed from meetings of powerful men which could be extended to comprise all politically influential groups. As in many other European countries these groups consisted of the nobility, the clergy and the burghers, but a group that was unique to Sweden was the free land-owning peasantry. The Riksdag did not hold meetings regularly or on its own initiative, but was convened by the King when necessary. In the 16th and 17th centuries, despite this lack of independence, Parliament came to play an increasing ly important part in the life of the State. Sweden’s first Riksdag Act was enacted in 1617. It ensured that the monarch led the work of Parliament.
In the 16th century, Sweden became a hereditary kingdom, and for this reason decisions of various kinds were added to the Royal Statute: these included succession pacts affecting the succession to the throne (the first in 1544), royal wills (the first in 1560) and royal accession charters (the first in 1594).
Opinions were sometimes divided, however, as to the feasibility or advisability of applying the constitutional form of government prescribed in the National Law. Until 1809, there was a continuous struggle between the champions of autocratic rule and those who advocated the National Law’s insistence on a separation of powers.
Gustaf II Adolf’s 1611 Accession Charter represents a capitulation on the part of the throne, but nonetheless the King still made most of the decisions in his Government. When the King died in 1632, regents were appointed to act for Queen Christina. Sweden’s first Instrument of Government was enacted in 1634 for the guidance of the Regency Government. It was drawn up by Axel Oxenstierna, one of the foremost statesmen in Sweden’s history. This Instrument of Government, which did not supersede the Royal Statute, may be regarded as largely a statute of administration. In many respects, Swedish administrative traditions go back to the 1634 Instrument of Government.
When another long regency was at hand in 1660, it was decided that government should be conducted in accordance with the 1634
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Instrument of Government. There was an important addition, however. The Parliament of the Estates was to meet every three years. The Riksdag was now for the first time a regular body of the State and was no longer convened only when the King had need of it.
It seemed natural that the Instrument of Government should be so mething different from and more significant than a statute of regency, and the idea had many advocates. It should apply in other circumstances, too. This conflicted with the plans of Carl XI, and so one of the first steps he took when he initiated the Carolingian autocracy in 1680 was to have Parliament declare that the King was not bound by any Instrument of Government, but could alter it arbitrarily. The death of Carl XII in 1718 saw the end of both Sweden’s status as
a Great Power and the autocratic monarchy. The pendulum now swung back in the other direction. A new form of government took shape, known appropriately enough as Age of Freedom Government, and it captured the imagination of great philosophers of the age like Voltaire, Rousseau and Mably. It was based on the new and more comprehensive Instrument of Government. This was replaced in 1720 by a new Instrument of Government on the abdication of Queen Ulrica Eleonora in favour of her husband Fredrick I. It was accompanied by new Royal Accession Charters.
The Age of Freedom had a parliamentary form of government. A two-party system evolved, with parties known as the Hats and the Caps. In his Accession Charter, the King pledged himself to agree in all circumstances with the Estates, ‘as being the possessors of power’. The Instrument of Government stipulated that he should govern the country ‘with the advice of the Council, not without it, much less against it’. He had two votes in the Council, plus a casting vote. If he found himself in a minority, he was to accept the majority decision ‘as being in all probabili ty the safest and best’. Nominations for membership of the Council were prepared by a committee of Parliament. Initially, the King was allowed to choose between three names, but this freedom of choice later lapsed. A method was devised whereby Parliament could dismiss a member of Council, and this was brought into use when the parliamentary majority changed following an election.
A new Riksdag Act was introduced in 1723, which carefully regula ted forms and procedures. The working procedures currently used in the Riksdag, particularly in the committees, have their roots in the Age of Freedom.
The Age of Freedom was rich in constitutional innovations also in other respects. Sweden’s first Freedom of the Press Act was introduced in 1766. This Act banned censorship (except in the case of theological wri tings) and established the principle of public access to official documents. At the same time, a clear line was drawn for the first time between fun damental law and other law. Amendments to the Constitution would require the approval of two consecutive Parliaments. The Freedom of the Press Act became a new fundamental law together with the Instrument of Government and the Riksdag Act.
With Gustaf III’s accession to the throne the clock was turned back. After the King’s first coup d’état in 1772 a new Instrument of
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Government was adopted. It was based on a separation of powers between the monarch and Parliament. The King and Parliament shared legislative power, and the King was empowered to levy new taxes, but only if the country was under attack. The King became independent of the Council. An Act of Union and Security was adopted at the time of Gustaf III’s second coup in 1789. This made the King to all intents and purposes an autocratic ruler. He acquired the right to conduct the affairs of State as he saw fit. One immediate consequence was that the Council ceased to exist. Its role in relation to the administration of justice was transferred to a newly-constituted Supreme Court in which the King had two votes.
Gustaf IV Adolf’s involvement in the Napoleonic Wars led to the loss of Finland and the coup d’état of 1809. The King was deposed and the Gustavian autocracy came to an abrupt end. The 1772 Instrument of Government and the 1789 Act of Union and Security were replaced by a new Instrument of Government. But it may give cause for reflection that the 1772 Instrument of Government and the 1789 Act of Union and Security survived until 1919 as the basis of the Finnish form of govern ment.
Like its 1772 predecessor, the 1809 Instrument of Government was based on the principle of separation of powers. The power of government lay with the King and the role of the Councillors of State was purely ad visory. The power of legislation was shared between King and Riksdag as regards fundamental law and civil and criminal law (joint legislation), while the King retained the power of economic and administrative legi slation. Power over taxation and the budget was placed in the hands of the Riksdag, together with a detailed power of supervision. One of the Riksdag committees, the Committee on the Constitution, was given the task of scrutinising the Councillors of State in their role as advisers to the King. The Parliamentary Ombudsman, who was elected by the Riksdag, had the task of ensuring that public authorities followed the laws enacted by Parliament. Three more fundamental laws were adopted in conjunction with the Instrument of Government, namely the 1809 Act of Succession, the 1810 Riksdag Act, and the 1810 Freedom of the Press Act. In 1810, a new Act of Succession, which is still in force, was adopted when Marshal of France Jean Baptiste Bernadotte was elected heir to the throne, and two years later a new Freedom of the Press Act was adopted.
The 1809 Instrument of Government re-established the basic prin ciples of the freedom of the press, namely, freedom from censorship and other prior interventions; a requirement that there should be support in law for interventions and examination before a court of law; and the principle of the public nature of official documents. Except in relation to the freedom of the press, however, this Instrument of Government for the most part lacks rules concerning rights and freedoms, although its renow ned Article 16, which goes back to the royal Accession Charters of the Middle Ages, did contain a few principles intended to protect the citizens. These were perceived to involve the requirement that citizens should be equal before the law.
The 1809 Instrument of Government survived for well over a century. It was not was superseded by the present Instrument of Government until
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1975, although it was frequently amended during its 165 years of existen ce. One of the first important changes was the 1840 ministerial reform,
in which the King’s chancellery, a predecessor of today’s Government Offices, was divided into ministries. The heads of the ministries no longer merely reported to the King and the ministers in the Council of State, but themselves became members of the Council. This made the work of gov ernment more effective.
The most radical constitutional changes of the 19th century were in troduced when long-delayed representational reforms were finally enacted in 1866. These had been on the agenda ever since the new Instrument of Government was adopted in 1809. The old Parliament of the Four Estates was replaced by a bicameral Parliament and a new Riksdag Act was adopted. A particularly important amendment was that after 1867, Parliament would meet each year. Initially it met only in the spring, but after 1949 it met in the autumn, too.
The 125 (later 150) members of the First Chamber were elected by the county councils and town councils in major towns outside the county councils. Between 1866 and 1909 elections to the First Chamber were held every nine years, between 1909 and 1921 every six years and after this every eight years. About one eighth of the members of the Chamber were replaced or re-elected each year. Elections to county councils and town councils took place in accordance with a graduated voting scale which gave more votes to the wealthy and those on high incomes. This, in association with highly restrictive eligibility requirements, led to the First Chamber being dominated by landowners and high-ranking State officials and officers. The 190 (later 230) members of the Second Chamber were elected directly by enfranchised male citizens. The right to vote required an income or property above a certain limit. Until 1920, elections took place every third year and afterwards every fourth year. The Second Chamber was dominated by the peasantry. Legislative decisions required a consensus of both Chambers. In tax and budget matters the rules gov erning decisions were the same, but if the Chambers made different deci sions then a joint vote was held.
Making the form of government more democratic was implemented in stages in the early decades of the 20th century. In principle, the suffrage reform of 1909 gave practically all men the right to vote in elections to the Second Chamber. At the same time, a proportional electoral system was introduced, based on a party system which was still in its infancy. Ten years later the right to vote in local government elections became univer sal and equal for both men and women. In 1921 women finally obtained the right to vote in Riksdag elections.
Independently of and alongside the 1809 Instrument of Government a different form of government gradually evolved. More and more, the King was compelled to take the views of the Riksdag into considera tion in his choice of government ministers. Power over appropriations was the most important means of pressure the Riksdag possessed. The King’s right to decide government matters himself first shrank and then in the end virtually disappeared. The Councillors of State became the
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Government. Without changing a line of the Instrument of Government, Sweden adopted a parliamentary system, with a Government whose strength depended on the number votes it could command in the Riksdag. The process was slow and met resistance. The usual view is that the de finitive breakthrough for the parliamentary system came in 1917 with the creation of a coalition Government of Liberals and Social Democrats.
Constitutional developments after the Second World War
A new Instrument of Government and a new Riksdag Act The introduction of a parliamentary system shifted the balance of power in the Instrument of Government without any amendments to the text. In practice, other changes in the form of government also took place. A right to judicial review for the courts was recognised towards the end of the life of the Instrument of Government. With the increasing complexity of society and the growth of the public sector, the Riksdag was compelled to pay less attention to details. Decisions of principle came into fashion. The importance of being in government grew in general, among other things because the Government had privileged access to the machinery of rese arch.
The dominance of the Social Democratic Party in post-war Sweden encouraged the opposition to take a hard look at the Constitution. They wished to determine whether changes in the Constitution could possibly lead to an opening for them. They first trained their searchlight on the re ferendum process, followed by the bicameral system. The First Chamber with its successive partial elections and its eight-year electoral periods gave rise to a lag in the composition of the Chamber. It took some time for stable shifts in electoral opinion to have their full impact. Between the wars this lag had been to the advantage of the non-socialist parties, but from the early 1940s it favoured the Social Democrats. The two-cham ber system, however, was intimately bound up with the electoral system, which in this way also became drawn into the debate. It was thus high time to take the classical Swedish step of appointing an all-party commis sion of inquiry. The first inquiry, the Commission on the Constitution, was appoin
ted in 1954 and presented its final report in 1963. In the course of its work, the inquiry reached agreement on a number of important points. Among other things, it set out proposals for a completely new Instrument of Government and a completely new Riksdag Act. In the opinion of the Commission, it was not possible to introduce the principle of par liamentary government into the old text of the Constitution in a satis factory manner. The Commission also agreed that it would not propose a transition to full-majority elections, that it would limit any extension of the referendum process, that a special chapter in the Instrument of Government would be dedicated to civil rights and freedoms, and that there both was and should be a right to judicial review for the courts. On
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the other hand, the Commission could not agree on two crucial political questions, namely the bicameral system and the electoral system. The majority wished to adopt a unicameral system and a combination of per sonal preference voting and party voting. These disagreements meant that the Commission’s proposals could not serve as the basis for a total reform of the Constitution.
A second all-party inquiry was needed. It was called the Commission on the Fundamental Laws and was appointed in 1966. In the first pha se of its work the Commission focused on reaching a settlement with regard to the chamber system and the electoral system and to introduce the principle of parliamentary government explicitly in the old text of the Constitution. The starting point was that, prior to the 1964 election, the non-socialist parties had agreed to recommend a single-chamber Parliament. As the Social Democratic Party suffered great losses in the local elections of 1966 and could thus expect to lose their majority in the First Chamber, they too were converted to the idea of a single chamber. But a precondition for this was that a nationally proportional electoral system was introduced utilising adjustment seats but stipulating a voting threshold of four per cent of the votes throughout the country. A party was required to command this level of electoral support to be represented in the Riksdag. The compromise also included a common election day for parliamentary and local government elections. A three-year electoral peri od was introduced.
This partial reform of the Constitution was approved by the Riksdag in 1969. Elections to the new unicameral Parliament with 350 members took place in the autumn of 1970. It met for the first time in January 1971. In conjunction with the subsequent total reform of the Constitution, the num ber of members was reduced to 349. This was done to avoid the situation in which the Riksdag found itself between 1974 and 1976 with an equal number of seats, namely 175, in each of the two blocs of political parties; the socialist and non-socialist.
In the second phase of the work of the Commission on the Fundamental Laws, the objective was to produce a completely new constitution. A number of complicated issues remained unresolved. At a meeting in Torekov in the summer of 1971, the Commission agreed that the monarchy should be retained and that the Head of State should only have representative duties. The Speaker was to submit a proposal for a new Prime Minister to the Riksdag for its approval. For the proposal to be rejected, more than half of the members were required to vote against it.
Another important dispute in the Commission concerned rights and freedoms. The non-socialist parties advocated greater constitutional pro tection for political rights and freedoms, while the Social Democrats emp hasised social rights. In early 1972 the Commission agreed in the name of compromise to lie low regarding this matter. Shortly afterwards the Commission presented its final report with proposals for a new Instrument of Government and a new Riksdag Act.
A government bill proposing a new Instrument of Government and a new Riksdag Act was submitted to the Riksdag in 1973. The proposal was definitively adopted with certain amendments in the following year.
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The 1974 Instrument of Government and the 1974 Riksdag Act came into force on 1 January 1975.
Further work on the Constitution When the new Instrument of Government was being considered by the Riksdag in 1973, the issue of constitutional protection for rights and freedoms was still a matter of contention. Many people considered that the protection provided in the new Instrument of Government was insuf ficient. The parties agreed that a third all-party commission of inquiry should be appointed to consider the issue further.
Two years later, the new commission of inquiry, the Commission on Rights and Freedoms, proposed a complete rewording of the second chapter of the Instrument of Government on fundamental rights and free doms. These were increased in number and scope, and strict conditions and threshold requirements were put in place to make it more difficult to limit them. In this way, judicial review took on greater significance, and for this reason the Commission considered that it should be affirmed in the Constitution. Social rights were afforded a certain degree of protection by including statutes with the character of goals in the first chapter of the Instrument of Government. But the Commission was not unanimous. The majority consisted of representatives of the Centre Party and the Social Democratic Party. The representatives of the other parties considered that the protection afforded was insufficient.
The proposals of the Commission on Rights and Freedoms were im plemented with certain amendments, such as the exclusion of the right to judicial review. But at the same time, the parties agreed that a fourth com mission of inquiry should be appointed to further consider the issue of rights protection. In 1978, this commission of inquiry, the Commission on the Protection of Rights, reached almost complete agreement on its pro posal. It entailed the introduction of procedural obstacles in the Riksdag for limiting fundamental rights and freedoms. In addition, there was to be an expansion of the expert review of proposed legislation carried out by Council on Legislation. This instance comprises judges from the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court. Like its predecessor, this commission of inquiry considered that the right to judicial review should be affirmed in the Constitution and contain a requirement of manifestness. This means that only if an error is manifest should a provision laid down by the Riksdag or the Government not be observed. According to the Commission on the Protection of Rights, the possibility of holding a bin ding referendum on a pending decision on a fundamental law should also be introduced. In 1979, the Riksdag adopted the Commission’s proposal in its entirety.
Although the 1969 representation reform was adopted with a high degree of consensus, no party was really satisfied. As the repercussions of working in a unicameral Parliament became clearer, it was felt that cer tain problems needed to be reviewed. These included the short electoral period, the relatively high number of members, the ineffective mechanism for dissolving the Riksdag in the event of parliamentary crises, a common
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN SWEDEN
day for both national and local elections, the issue of personal preference voting and, in the final instance, the electoral system itself.
There were many commissions of inquiry but few results. Not until the 1990s were some of the questions finally resolved. In 1994 it was decided that as of 1998 it should be possible for voters to cast a special personal vote for the party candidate they would prefer to see elected, irrespective of their position on the ballot slip. Candidates receiving a personal prefe rence vote amounting to not less than eight per cent of the party vote in a constituency should be the first to obtain the seats that the party had won in the constituency. As of 2011, the threshold is lower at five per cent. In party leader deliberations in the autumn of 1993, it was agreed to extend the electoral period to four years. In 1994, this agreement was affirmed in the Constitution.
The debate on constitutional protection for rights and freedoms had not abated. In 1992, a fifth commission of inquiry, the Committee of Inquiry on Rights and Freedoms, was appointed. The report it submit ted the following year proposed constitutional provisions on the right to compensation when the State or a local authority limits a citizen’s ability to freely use his or her land or buildings, on protection of the freedom to trade and to practise a profession, and on the right to a free basic educa tion in the public education system. An important aspect of the proposal was to incorporate the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms into Swedish law. The proposal was adopted by the Riksdag in 1994. But there was still dissatisfaction with the way in which the protection of property was formulated and with the retention of the requirement of manifestness in the provision on judicial review.
Sweden’s accession to the European Union in 1995 also brought changes to the Constitution. Provisions on elections to the European Parliament and on the transfer of decision-making authority to the European Community were introduced into the Instrument of Government in 1994. With a 75 per cent majority, or by the same rules required for changes in the Constitution, the Riksdag was empowered to transfer rights of decision-making to the EC ‘as long as the Community provides pro tection for rights and freedoms corresponding to the protection provided under this Instrument of Government and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms’. In the same year, a Committee on European Union Affairs was established to handle government consultations with the Riksdag on EU matters. A year or so later, the Riksdag committees were tasked with monitoring work in the EU in their respective policy areas. In 2002, an additional limitation was introduced in the provision on the transfer of decision-making authority. Only rights of decision-making which do not affect the principles under lying the form of government can be transferred.
A decision of historic dimensions was the separation of church from State. The changes in the Instrument of Government needed to make this decision were made in 1998. The reform came into force on 1 January 2000.
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN SWEDEN
The Riksbank’s fundamental status was also changed in conjunction with the 1998 elections. By this decision, the Instrument of Government provided protection for the bank’s independent decision-making in mat ters of monetary policy.
The fact that Sweden was virtually the only European state to have two public auditing bodies, namely the Parliamentary Auditors under the Riksdag and the Swedish National Audit Office under the Government, had been highly controversial for many years. In 2000, after a ten-year review process in three different commissions of inquiry, the Riksdag approved a decision in principle to set up a new state audit authority to replace both the Parliamentary Auditors and the Swedish National Audit Office. The new National Audit Office is led by three auditors general, who are elected by the Riksdag for a term of seven years with no possibi lity of re-election. Their independence in relation to conducting audits is guaranteed by provisions introduced into the Instrument of Government in 2002.
The Riksdag has conducted a more or less continuous review of its working procedures. An important element in this process was the reor ganisation of the budget year and budget process which was approved in 1994. Since 1997, the budget year coincides with the calendar year, as in the EU. The Budget Bill is to be submitted in the autumn, and the Committee on Finance now has a stronger position. The right of members to put questions and interpellations to government ministers was radi cally transformed in 1996 after being trialled for several years. A ques tion-and-answer session each week with oral questions from members of the Riksdag and direct answers from government ministers was introdu ced. At any time during the year members may put questions in writing to government ministers for written answers. Since 2001, Riksdag commit tees are also obliged to follow up and evaluate Riksdag decisions in their areas of competence. Due to the great number of changes, the Riksdag Act was completely revised in 2003. As a result of amendments that came into force in 2007, the committees were given a greater role in work with EU business, among other things by means of the right to deliberations with the Government. The Lisbon Treaty came into force in 2009 and gave the Riksdag an opportunity to participate in checks to ensure compli ance with the EU’s principle of subsidiarity.
Owing to the many amendments, the Riksdag Act had, to some extent, lost its clarity and linguistic consistency. In September 2014, therefore, a new Riksdag Act came into force.
Full review of the Instrument of Government The years shortly before and after the turn of the century 1999/2000 were characterised by a lively debate that was more focused on constitutional principles than for a long time previously. Fuel was added to the debate by studies conducted as a result of both public and private initiatives. In 1997, the Government appointed an all-party commission of inquiry, the Government Commission on Swedish Democracy, which was charged with considering the new conditions, problems and opportunities facing
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN SWEDEN
Swedish popular government in the 21st century. The inquiry commissio ned a number of social scientists to study the development of democracy and published no less than 32 short documents and 13 volumes of rese arch findings. The inquiry’s final report contained several positions re garding principles but few conclusions relating to concrete constitutional issues.
Among the private organisations which were active in this area of concern, special mention should be made of the Centre for Business and Policy Studies (SNS). In 1994, the SNS set up a democracy council with non-permanent members which published an annual report for over 15 years. The SNS also carried out a project on Sweden’s constitutional choices. The project published some twenty books and short documents. The project was completed in 2004 with the publication of the report A New Constitution for Sweden, in which it concluded that Sweden needs a new constitution.
The Government responded to the broader debate on constitutional issues by appointing an all-party commission of inquiry with represent atives from all seven Riksdag parties. The task of the Commission was to conduct a comprehensive review of the Instrument of Government. The primary focus of this inquiry was on strengthening and deepening Swedish democracy, increasing citizens’ confidence in the way democracy functions and increasing voter turnout. The terms of reference made it clear that the Commission had been given a broad remit for its work and was in principle free to consider every issue which could be considered to be within the framework of this remit. A total reform of the Constitution was not on the agenda, however. The remit did not cover the fundamental principles for the form of government which are laid down in the intro ductory chapter of the Instrument of Government.
For the most part, the Commission on the Constitution worked with specialists, researchers and reference groups. A great number of confer ences and seminars were organised to gather information and stimulate interest in constitutional issues. The Commission published 14 reports in 2007 and 2008.
It submitted its report, Constitutional Reform, in December 2008 (SOU 2008:125, summary in English, pp. 37–52). The report was unan imous in every respect. As a result, the Commission’s proposals were approved without changes in all essentials, by both the Government and the Riksdag.
The Commission made a thorough review of the structure and lan guage of the Instrument of Government. The chapter on the administra tion of justice and public administration was divided into two chapters, one on justice and the other on administration. A new chapter on local authorities was added. The order and division of the provisions were amended for greater clarity.
The Commission’s proposals dealt with practically every area cov ered in the Instrument of Government and associated legislation, but no amendment stands out as more general than another. The following are the most important amendments.
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN SWEDEN
The proposals have a clear emphasis on the role of the courts and judges in the constitutional system. As mentioned above, the judiciary now has a separate chapter. This is to highlight the special place occu pied by the courts and the judges in the constitutional system. With a few minor changes, the contents of the new chapter correspond to the provisions on the judiciary and judges previously set out in the chapter on the administration of justice and public administration. For instance, the Government will continue to appoint permanent salaried judges. But the procedures for their appointment will be changed by means of normal legislation, in order to emphasise the independent position of the judges. The process of reviewing legislative proposals will be strengthened by the requirement that, in principle, the Council on Legislation is not merely (as previously) expected to, but obliged to examine all draft legislation within a broader area of legislation. In addition, the protracted discussion on the requirement of manifestness has finally led to its removal from the provisions on judicial review. Provisions decided by the Riksdag or the Government need no longer be in evident conflict with a rule of funda mental law or other superior statute, or to have been adopted in evident conflict with a procedure laid down in law to be set aside by a court or other public body. Finally, it may be noted that the rules concerning the division of power between the Riksdag and the Government to decide on laws and all other provisions have been simplified.
The extension of rules on rights and freedoms, which took place pri marily in 1976, 1979 and 1994, continued in 2010. Protection against discrimination has been extended to cover sexual orientation. In addition, a provision has been added to the Instrument of Government that legal proceedings should be conducted fairly and within a reasonable period of time. The model for this addition is Article 6 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, but the provision has broader scope in the Instrument of Government. The pro vision on protection of property has been amended and now clarifies the main principle regarding full compensation in case of expropriation or other such disposition. A provision drawn up by another commission, the Commission on the Protection of Personal Privacy, has also been added. It ensures the protection of all from any significant invasions of personal privacy by a public institution that takes place without consent and in volves surveillance or monitoring of an individual’s personal circumstanc es.
Some of the changes have the common purpose of strengthening Parliament’s position in relation to the Government. The most important of these is the introduction of a compulsory vote on the Prime Minister after each election. Previously, a Government has been able to remain in power after an election, regardless of the results, if the Prime Minister considers the parliamentary situation to warrant it. In addition, the powers permitting the scrutiny of the Government by the Committee on the Constitution have been strengthened. The Committee has been given an explicit right to obtain all official documents from the Government that it considers necessary for its scrutiny. Previously the Government has only
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN SWEDEN
been obliged to provide the minutes of government meetings and official documents relating to these.
The constitutional regulation of the status of local authorities previo usly in force was criticised for being too brief and vague. In response to this criticism, a new chapter in the revised Instrument of Government is devoted to local authorities, as noted above. This is intended to highlight the importance of local government in Swedish society. The new chap ter collects in one place regulations already set out in different parts of the Instrument of Government. But there are also new provisions. One example is the provision that any restriction of local self-government should never exceed what is necessary with respect to the circumstances that have given rise to it. The constitutionality of the local government tax equalisation system has been a matter of contention for many years. The problem has now been resolved by the inclusion of a provision entailing that local authorities may be obliged by law to contribute to the costs of the activities of other local authorities. An indispensable condition for this kind of obligation is that it is intended to achieve equitable financial con ditions between local authorities.
Finally, it should be mentioned that the international perspective has received a certain degree of attention in the review of the Instrument of Government. The most important change in the international area is probably that membership of the European Union has been written into the introductory chapter. However, the provision makes no mention of the constitutional consequences of membership. It merely notes that Sweden is a member of the European Union. The provision further states that Sweden also participates in international cooperation within the fra mework of bodies such as the United Nations and the Council of Europe.
In connection with the 2014 general elections, some minor changes were made to the Instrument of Government. Rules on proportionality in the election system and advance notification of parties in elections were amended. One of the reasons for this was to ensure that the seats in the Riksdag are distributed proportionally so that the distribution reflects how the voters have actually voted.
New fundamental laws for the freedom of expression During the Second World War, the freedom of the press was put under great strain. The Government took advantage of the legal possibilities pro vided by the Freedom of the Press Act to prevent the press from publish ing and distributing views which might be perceived as provocative by the warring nations, particularly Nazi Germany. However, this was not all. Consultations, which frequently assumed the form of pressure, were also used to try to influence news coverage in the press.
For this reason, it was natural in the closing stages of the war to ap point a commission of inquiry with the task of reviewing the Freedom of the Press Act from 1812 which was still in force at the time. The commis sion was scathing about the press policy of the war years, and its propo sals were intended to prevent restrictions of the kind that occurred during the war. The result of the commission of inquiry was a completely new
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN SWEDEN
Freedom of the Press Act which was adopted in 1949 and came into force in 1950.
The principle of sole responsibility made an early appearance in the Freedom of the Press Act. This was of particular significance in the case of the daily press and other periodical publications where, in many cases, several different contributors were involved. A single individual was re gistered as responsible editor and was liable for any offences. Other per sons—journalists, technical staff, outside contributors and sources—were immune from liability and could therefore remain anonymous.
The new Freedom of the Press Act extended the protection afforded to providers of information to include information that was intended for publication but was never actually published. In 1976, the individual’s legal right to anonymity in publishing information was extended by a ban on seeking sources. The notion of a ‘reprisals ban’ developed in legal practice. This refers to the prohibition of any measure entailing negative consequences for public sector employees arising from their assistance in the publication of information in a constitutionally protected medium. In 2010, this prohibition was written into the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression.
Initially there was no special statutory regulation of sound radio or television. The various provisions of the Penal Code applied to all bro adcasters in accordance with general principles. There were no statutory provisions on immunity from liability for providers of information, or on a right to remain anonymous. There was no general right to broadcast programmes, and such activities presupposed a licence. In practical terms, the State broadcasting corporations enjoyed a monopoly.
Special laws for sound radio and TV—a Broadcasting Act and a Broadcasting Liability Act—were introduced in 1966. These were not fundamental laws. The licensing requirement was retained. The de facto monopoly was balanced by an obligation on the part of the broadcasting corporation to observe objectivity and impartiality, an obligation which had no equivalent in the Freedom of the Press Act. The rules were other wise largely based on the same principles as the Freedom of the Press Act.
The question of rules of fundamental law for non-print media was reviewed several times, starting in 1970. The initial focus was on radio and television, but other media later received attention, primarily those dependent on technical equipment, like films and other mechanical or electronic recordings of sound and images. One much-debated issue was whether the Freedom of the Press Act should be reworked to cover these other media or whether they should be regulated in a special fundamental law alongside the Freedom of the Press Act. The latter view prevailed and a new fundamental law, the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, was adopted in 1991.
Technical developments in the areas of information and the media led to changes in the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression in 1998, 2002 and 2010. In August 2012, the Freedom of Expression Committee presented its final report. The report partly contained changes to the contents, and partly a linguistic and structural review of the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental
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THE DEVELOPMENT OF CONSTITUTIONAL LAW IN SWEDEN
Law on Freedom of Expression. However, a majority of the proposals have not been implemented. One proposal from the Committee which was implemented in 2014 was an amendment to the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression setting out that written matter and technical recordings shall not be deemed to have been published in Sweden – and thus covered by the Freedom of the Press Act or Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression – when they have merely been sent from Sweden to a recipient abroad and not delivered for disse mination in Sweden. The purpose was to extend opportunities for interna tional legal cooperation in certain situations where the link to Sweden is weak.
A highly controversial issue concerning freedom of expression during the 1990s was child pornography. In 1998, it was decided that the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression should not be applicable in connection with the depiction of children in pornographic images. This made it possible to extend the range of punishable offences in relation to child pornography.
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The principal content of the fundamental laws and the Riksdag Act
The Instrument of Government (IG)
Basic principles of the form of government The basic principles of the form of government are expressed in Chapter 1 of the Instrument of Government. Article 1 states:
All public power in Sweden proceeds from the people. Swedish democracy is founded on the free formation of opinion and on universal and equal suffrage. It is realised through a representative and parliamentary form of government and through local self-government. Public power is exercised under the law.
The presentation of the basic principles which follows takes this opening article as its point of departure.
Democracy Swedish democracy is declared to be founded on universal and equal suff rage and the free formation of opinion, in other words, on political demo cracy—that is to say, democracy as a method for making decisions. This does not mean that the Instrument of Government is closed to broader interpretations of democracy. IG 1:2 states that one of the aims of public institutions shall be to ensure that the ideals of democracy act as guideli nes in all sectors of society. ‘Public institutions’ denote both norm-setting bodies like the Riksdag and local government decision-making assem blies, and executive bodies like the judiciary, the Government, adminis trative agencies, and bodies organised in accordance with civil law which perform administrative functions.
Representative form of government Citizens do not themselves participate directly in decision-making, but do so indirectly through their elected representatives in the Riksdag and in local government assemblies (municipal and county councils). Political parties are an essential element in a democracy. When the Instrument of Government was established, it was stated that political activities would continue to be conducted primarily through political parties in the future, too. The parties are free associations and the aim was to avoid statutory regulation of their activities. This might have constituted a violation of the freedoms of expression and assembly.
Referendums are an exception to the representative form of govern ment. Consultative referendums have been possible since 1922, and it has
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THE PRINCIPAL CONTENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS AND THE RIKSDAG ACT
been possible to put constitutional measures to a binding referendum sin ce 1980, although this procedure has not yet been employed. Consultative referendums are not legally binding on the Riksdag, although in general they have actually proved to have the same effect. Consultative referen dums have been held on six occasions so far. The most recent referendum was held in 2003 on the introduction of the euro. The political parties declared in advance that they would accept the result.
Parliamentary government Parliamentary government means that the Government must have the con fidence of Parliament or at least be tolerated by it. It must always be pos sible for a parliamentary majority to compel a Government to leave office, but in Sweden and in most other parliamentary countries the Government has a counter-measure at its disposal in that it is able to call an extraor dinary election. The real power of the Government fluctuates with the support it enjoys in Parliament and with the party constellations there. If it has a majority, power is concentrated in the Government’s hands. The intention is that, as long as it is tolerated by the Riksdag, and acts within the framework set by the decisions of the Riksdag, the Government will be able to act quickly and forcefully.
Local self-government Democracy is realised not only by means of a representative and par liamentary form of government, but also by local self-government. This is considered so essential that its basic principles are set out in the Instrument of Government. Indeed, the municipal and county councils are responsible for a very large part of the public sector.
Since 2010, municipalities at local and regional level, that is to say local authorities, have had their own chapter, Chapter 14, in the revised Instrument of Government.
Conformity with the law in the exercise of public power The opening article of the Instrument of Government prescribes that public power shall be exercised under the law. This affirms the age-old principle that all exercise of power must conform with the law. This applies not just to courts of law and public administration but also to Government and Parliament. It applies equally to local and central go vernment. The same purpose underlies the stipulation in IG 1:9 that courts of law, administrative authorities and others performing public adminis tration functions shall have regard in their work to the equality of all per sons before the law and shall observe objectivity and impartiality.
Fundamental objectives of public activity Certain fundamental policy objectives are set out in IG 1:2. The content of this article is such that it may be assumed to be acceptable to almost all residents of Sweden.
It lays down that public power shall be exercised with respect for the equal worth of all and the liberty and dignity of the individual. The perso
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THE PRINCIPAL CONTENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS AND THE RIKSDAG ACT
nal, economic and cultural welfare of the individual shall be fundamental aims of public institutions. In particular, the public institutions shall secu re the right to work, housing and education, social care and social secu rity, as well as favourable conditions for good health. The article further states that the public institutions shall promote sustainable development leading to a good environment for present and future generations.
It also stipulates that the public institutions shall protect the private and family lives of the individual and ensure that the ideals of democracy guide activities in all sectors of society. The public institutions shall also encourage everyone to participate in the life of society on an equal foo ting, and ensure that the rights of the child are safeguarded. The public institutions shall also combat discrimination on grounds of gender, colour, national or ethnic origin, linguistic or religious affiliation, functional di sability, sexual orientation, age or any other circumstance affecting the individual. In conclusion, the article states that the opportunities for the Sami people and ethnic, linguistic and religious minorities to preserve and develop their own cultural and community life shall be promoted.
Sweden’s four fundamental laws The Constitution of Sweden traditionally consists of four fundamental laws: the Instrument of Government (IG), the Act of Succession (AS), the Freedom of the Press Act (FPA), and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (FLFE). Together they make up the Constitution of Sweden. What they have in common is that their passage into law is a dif ferent and more complicated process than that required for ordinary laws. The Instrument of Government is a general fundamental law which lays down how the country is to be governed. The Freedom of the Press Act regulates the use of the freedom of expression in printed media and the principle of public access to official documents. The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression regulates the use of the freedom of expression in non-printed media. The Act of Succession lays down how the Swedish throne is inherited between members of the Bernadotte family.
The tasks of the Riksdag and the Government Only the Riksdag may make laws, decide on taxes and on the use of State funds. The Riksdag also has the task of examining the governance and administration of the Realm (IG 1:4).
The Government governs the Realm (IG 1:6). What this means is set out in more detail in various provisions in the Instrument of Government. In accordance with the principle of parliamentary government, the Government is accountable to the Riksdag.
The monarchy The Instrument of Government has retained the monarchical form of go vernment. The reigning King or Queen is the Head of State (IG 1:5). The Head of State has no political power.
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THE PRINCIPAL CONTENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS AND THE RIKSDAG ACT
International cooperation Sweden’s membership of the European Union is affirmed in the Constitution (IG 1:10). The same article also states that Sweden parti cipates in international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and the Council of Europe, and in other contexts.
Fundamental rights and freedoms Introduction The rules in Chapter 2 focus on political freedoms, which are of particular significance for the workings of society. They are primarily defined in the first two articles of the chapter. The purpose here is to guarantee that the formation of opinion in political, religious and cultural matters is free from the interference of the public institutions. Another group of rules (IG 2:4–8) is more oriented towards the protection of an individual’s physical inviolability and freedom of movement. The following three articles (IG 2:9–11) are oriented towards an individual’s legal security. Articles 12 and 13 of Chapter 2 prohibit laws or other provisions which entail discrimina tion (IG 2:12–13). The following article concerns the right to take indu strial action in the labour market (IG 2:14).
The Instrument of Government is relatively restrained regarding a politically controversial area such as an individual’s economic freedom. But there are rules on the protection of property in conjunction with rules on the right of public access to the natural environment (IG 2:15). The following two provisions affirm constitutional protection for the copyright of authors, artists and photographers (IG 2:16) and for the right to trade (IG 2:17).
A right of another kind is the right to free basic education, which is set out in Article 18 together with protection for freedom of research.
A central aspect of the discussion on the constitutional regulation of fundamental rights and freedoms is the problem of ensuring that constitu tional obligations are actually observed. During work on the Instrument of Government, the possibility of the courts conducting a judicial review and other regulatory measures was considered a necessity. On the other hand it was stressed that such a review should not become a normal element of legal procedure.
The result was that no authority responssible for applying the law— not just the courts—may apply a regulation whose content or origin con flicts with fundamental law or any other superior statute. The significance of judicial review goes far beyond the area of rights and freedoms.
The Instrument of Government and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms In recent years, constitutional regulations on fundamental rights and freedoms have decreased in importance to some extent. This is a conse quence of Sweden’s accession to international conventions in this area, principally the 1950 European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms and its Additional Protocols. Over
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THE PRINCIPAL CONTENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS AND THE RIKSDAG ACT
time, judicial developments at the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg showed that the rules of the Convention had profound effects on the Swedish judicial system even after the introduction of the rules concerning rights in the Instrument of Government. Since 1982, Sweden has lost a number of cases in the European Court of Human Rights. In a number of cases the Court has established violations of Article 6 of the Convention, which lays down a statutory right to ‘a fair and public hea ring within a reasonable time by an independent and impartial tribunal established by law’. To a large degree these adverse rulings were due to the European Court of Human Rights interpreting the expression ‘civil rights and obligations’ more broadly than was anticipated in Sweden.
The many adverse rulings on this point led to the Riksdag adopting the Act on the Judicial Review of Certain Administrative Decisions, now replaced by the Act on Judicial Review of certain Government Decisions. This Act makes it possible to obtain a review in the Supreme Administrative Court of government decisions affecting an indivi dual’s civil rights and obligations in the sense intended in Article 6.1 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Other decisions, which a court of law must be able to review according to the Convention, may instead be appealed in a general administrative court in the usual way. After the adoption of the first Act on Judicial Review, there has been a decrease in the number of adverse rulings in cases from Sweden.
Sweden has incorporated the Convention as a whole into Swedish law. An issue discussed in the reasons for the decision was whether or not the Convention should be part of the Swedish Constitution or of ordina ry law. Ordinary law was chosen, but the Convention was given special status. A ban on regulations conflicting with Sweden’s commitments under the Convention was written into the Instrument of Government (IG 2:19). Future conflicts concerning the application of provisions of the Convention and older or more recent provisions in Swedish laws and ordinances will have to be resolved in accordance with generally accepted principles of judicial interpretation. Superior law has precedence over in ferior law, recent law over past law, special law over law of more general application. Two principles of interpretation were given special emphasis by the Committee on the Constitution: partly that the point of departure is that Swedish laws and ordinances are compatible with Sweden’s interna tional commitments (the principle of treaty conformity) and partly that in view of its special character, a Convention on human rights ought to carry special weight if there is a conflict with national provisions.
The Swedish Code of Statutes now contains the original English and French texts of the Convention in SFS 1998:712, which also includes an official Swedish translation.
Description of rights Certain of the rights and freedoms dealt with in Chapter 2 of the Instrument of Government are absolute in the sense that they cannot be limited other than by changing fundamental law. Others may be limited
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THE PRINCIPAL CONTENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS AND THE RIKSDAG ACT
by other forms of statute, mainly ordinary law. In some cases, including the indispensable political freedoms, the Instrument of Government gives a relatively full description. It also provides for a special procedure in the Riksdag for deciding on limitations. The Instrument of Government also draws up guidelines for the Riksdag to follow when examining the con tent of a proposed limitation of rights.
The following are absolute rights and freedoms: 1. freedom of worship: ‘the freedom to practise one’s religion alone or
in the company of others’ (IG 2:1, paragraph one, point 6); 2. protection against coercion to divulge an opinion in a political, religi
ous, cultural or similar connection (IG 2:2); 3. protection against coercion to participate in a meeting for the shaping
of opinion or in a demonstration or other manifestation of opinion (IG 2:2);
4. protection against coercion to belong to a political association, a reli gious community or other association for promoting opinions covered by point 2 (IG 2:2);
5. protection against recording information in a public register concer ning a Swedish citizen based solely on his or her political opinion without consent (IG 2:3);
6. prohibition of capital punishment, corporal punishment, torture and medical intervention with the purpose of extorting or suppressing statements (IG 2:4–5);
7. prohibition of deportation or refusal of entry into Sweden of a Swedish citizen, and protection of a Swedish citizen from deprivation of citizenship (IG 2:7);
8. the right to a hearing before a court of law if deprived of liberty; in certain cases, such a hearing may be replaced by examination before a tribunal presided over by a permanent salaried judge (IG 2:9);
9. prohibition of retroactive penal sanctions (IG 2:10, paragraph one); 10. prohibition of retroactive taxation or State charges (IG 2:10, para
graph two). The Riksdag may approve exceptions in times of war, danger of war or grave economic crisis;
11. protection against the establishment of a court of law to examine an offence already committed or a particular dispute or otherwise in regard to a particular case (IG 2:11, paragraph one);
12. legal proceedings are to be conducted fairly and within a reasonable period of time (IG 2:11, paragraph two, first sentence).
The rights and freedoms which can be limited by means of law and are covered by qualified procedure rules are as follows: 1. freedom of expression: freedom to communicate information and
express thoughts, views and opinions and sentiments, pictorially, in writing or in any other way (IG 2:1 paragraph one, point 1).
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THE PRINCIPAL CONTENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS AND THE RIKSDAG ACT
2. freedom of information: freedom to procure and receive information and otherwise acquaint oneself with the utterances of others (IG 2:1, paragraph one, point 2);
3. freedom of assembly: freedom to organise and attend meetings for information, expression of opinion or other similar purposes or to present artistic work (IG 2:1, paragraph one, point 3);
4. freedom to demonstrate: freedom to organise and take part in demon strations in a public place (IG 2:1, paragraph one, point 4);
5. freedom of association: freedom to associate with others for public or private purposes (IG 2:1, paragraph one, point 5);
6. protection against forcible physical violation (in addition to that men tioned under absolute rights and freedoms point 6 (IG 2:6 paragraph one);
7. protection against body searches, house searches and other invasions of privacy (IG 2:6, paragraph one);
8. protection against violation of confidential correspondence or com munications (IG 2:6, paragraph one);
9. protection against significant invasions of personal privacy which en tail surveillance or systematic monitoring of an individual’s personal circumstances (IG 2:6, paragraph two);
10. protection against deprivations of personal liberty and freedom of movement within Sweden and freedom to leave Sweden (IG 2:8); and
11. the right to a public trial (IG 2:11, paragraph two, second sentence).
The qualified procedure rules also apply to proposals to limit the immu nity of communicators of information under the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (see FPA 7:3, paragraph three and FLFE 5:3, paragraph three) and in certain other cases under the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (FLFE 3:3).
The Instrument of Government sets out in general terms certain re quirements which must be taken into account in limiting the rights and freedoms listed above (IG 2:21). The purpose of such a limitation must be acceptable in a democratic society. A limitation must never exceed what is necessary with respect to the purpose that occasioned it, nor may it be of such scope as to constitute a threat to the free formation of opinion as a foundation of democracy. It is further stipulated that no limitation may be imposed solely on grounds of a political, religious, cultural or other such opinion. Further rules concerning the freedoms of expression and information, and the freedoms of assembly and demonstration are set out in more detail in IG 2:23 and IG 2:24 respectively.
When limiting rights, the Riksdag must also have regard to the prohi bitions on discrimination on grounds of ethnic origin, skin colour, sexual orientation, or gender (IG 2:12–13). These prohibitions apply to all legis lation in general and not just to limitations of rights.
The qualified procedure rules (IG 2:22) are rather complex. The prin cipal rule is that a minority of more than one sixth of those voting can
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force through a delay of a minimum of twelve months in respect of adop tion of legislation concerning any of the rights and freedoms under points 1 to 11 above. Certain types of limitation are exempted from the qualified procedure rules (IG 2:22, paragraph two). On behalf of the Riksdag, the Committee on the Constitution examines whether the qualified proce dure is applicable with regard to a particular legislative proposal. The Committee on the Constitution may not declare the procedure inapplica ble without consulting the Council on Legislation (RA 10:5, paragraph three). When first introduced, the qualified procedure was seen primarily as
a means to encourage such moderation as would ensure broad support for legislation. The infrequency with which the procedure has been applied may be seen as confirmation that it has achieved its purpose.
In addition to the two groups of rights dealt with above, there are a number of rights which may be limited, in general by law without special conditions and without the possibility of applying the qualified procedure. These include the right to industrial action (IG 2:14), protection of rights of ownership and the right of public access (IG 2:15), of copyright (IG 2:16), of the freedom of trade or to practise a profession (IG 2:17, para graph one), and finally of the right to education and freedom of research (IG 2:18).
These rights may all be accorded a large, and sometimes decisive, part of their content by way of ordinary law. Protection of the right to industri al action may be limited by law or agreements (IG 2:14). Protection aga inst being compelled to surrender property by expropriation and against suffering restrictions on the use of land or buildings may be waived where necessary to satisfy pressing public interests (IG 2:15, paragraph one). Individuals compelled to surrender property shall receive full compensa tion for their loss. Compensation is also to be assured for those whose use of land or buildings is restricted by public authorities in such a way that ongoing use is made considerably more difficult or considerable damage is caused. Compensation in these cases is to be determined according to principles laid down in law (IG 2:15, paragraph two). Where restric tions in the use of land or buildings are undertaken for reasons of health or safety, however, the right to compensation is not guaranteed in the Instrument of Government (IG 2:15, paragraph three).
In the provision on the right to trade or practise a profession (IG 2:17), it is stated that limitations may only be introduced to protect pressing public interests. The provision also states that such limitations shall never be designed solely to further the economic interests of a particular person or enterprise. The rule may be seen as providing some protection for free market competition.
The right to free basic education (IG 2:18, paragraph one) is in a strict sense absolute. But only children eligible for general compulsory educa tion have this right, and the scope of compulsory education cannot only be extended by ordinary law but can also be limited by it.
The Instrument of Government’s rules on rights and freedoms apply for the most part to all individuals, that is to say they also apply to foreign nationals residing in Sweden. Certain provisions, however, only apply to
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Swedish citizens, for instance, protection against the registration of opini on (IG 2:3), protection against deportation or other hindrance to entry into the country (IG 2:7, paragraph one), and freedom of movement within the country (IG 2:8, paragraph one). Where protection of rights applies to both Swedish citizens and other nationals, however, the constitutional protection afforded to other nationals may be weaker than that afforded to Swedish citizens. A number of the rights and freedoms may be limited by law for foreign citizens without applying most of the provisions laying down special conditions to be met before a limitation may be approved (IG 2:25).
The Riksdag The Riksdag consists of a single chamber with 349 members (IG 3:2). These are elected simultaneously in free, secret and direct elections. Voting is for parties, but there is an opportunity for voters to cast a perso nal preference vote by ticking one of the candidates on the ballot slip (IG 3:1). All Swedish citizens who are or have been residents of Sweden and who reach the age of 18 years not later than election day have the right to vote in Riksdag elections. To be elected, an individual must satisfy the same conditions as apply to the right to vote (IG 3:4).
For elections to the Riksdag the country is divided into 29 consti tuencies (IG 3:5 and Elections Act 4:2). Of the 349 seats, 310 are fixed constituency seats distributed among the constituencies on the basis of the number of persons entitled to vote in each constituency (IG 3:6).
The electoral system is proportional. But there is a voting threshold in the system. Only a party that obtains at least four per cent of the national vote is entitled to take part in the distribution of seats. This threshold can, however, be crossed by a party that obtains at least twelve per cent of the votes in a single constituency. The party can take part in the distribution of seats in the constituency concerned, but not in the distribution of the adjustment seats which ensure that the total number of seats is distributed in proportion to the votes polled by the parties in the whole country (IG 3:7). Four per cent of the votes polled in the whole country corresponds to an allocation of fourteen seats.
The method used to distribute the seats between the parties is the adjusted odd-number method. In the allocation of the fixed seats within a constituency, the parties compete with each other on the basis of a com parative index. This is calculated by dividing a party’s votes by a factor equal to twice the number of seats obtained increased by 1, that is by 3, 5, 7 etc, i.e. always an odd number, hence the name. The method is adjusted, however, in the sense that in the competition for the first seat, and as long as a party has not been allocated any seats, the comparative index is equal to the number of the party’s votes divided by 1.2. This makes it more dif ficult for smaller parties in particular to obtain their first seat in a consti tuency. But this is compensated using the 39 adjustment seats. These are distributed among the parties in such a way that the total number of seats is proportional to the votes polled by the parties in the country as a whole. After this, the adjustment seats are allocated to individual constituencies
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according to each party’s comparative index in each of the constituencies (IG 3:8 and Elections Act 14:3–5).
For each seat obtained by a party, one member of the Riksdag is selec ted from that party (IG 3:9). In the first place seats are allocated to candi dates receiving personal preference votes amounting to not less than 5 per cent of the party’s vote in the constituency concerned. Seats are allocated to candidates on the basis of the number of personal preference votes they obtain. If no candidate or an insufficient number of candidates should obtain enough personal preference votes, seats are allocated to candidates in the order in which they are listed on the party’s ballot slip, if there is only one type of ballot slip. If a party uses more than one ballot slip in a constituency, the procedure is more complicated (Elections Act 14:9–10).
Ordinary elections to the Riksdag are held every four years on the second Sunday in September (IG 3:3 and Elections Act 1:3). The Government can call an extraordinary election between ordinary elec tions, but not in the first three months after a newly-elected Riksdag first convenes (IG 3:11). These electoral mandates are valid only for the remainder of the electoral period. Unlike other countries, Sweden does not permit a new, complete electoral period to follow an extraordinary election. This constraint makes the institution of extraordinary elections a blunt instrument in the Government’s hand, and it has not yet been used under the current Instrument of Government.
Members have alternates (IG 3:2). In principle, the number of alter nates appointed for each member is the same as the number of seats a party obtains in a constituency, but no fewer than three. The alternates are thus appointed for a group, and not for individuals. A member who is the Speaker of the Riksdag or a government minister is debarred from exer cising his or her mandate as a member, and is invariably replaced by an alternate (IG 4:13). The same applies if a member is on leave of absence for at least one month (RA 5:3).
An appeal against an election to the Riksdag may be lodged with an Elections Review Board appointed by the Riksdag. The chair of the Board must be a practising or retired permanent salaried judge and may not be a member of the Riksdag. Elected members of the Riksdag are to per form their duties even if an appeal has been lodged against their election. Should the result of the election be changed on appeal, the affected seats will be taken by new members as soon as the change has been officially communicated (IG 3:12).
More detailed provisions on elections to the Riksdag may be found in the Elections Act (SFS 2005:837) and the Elections Ordinance (SFS 2005:874).
Members of the Riksdag are remunerated for their duties and also enjoy other financial benefits such as an old-age pension and a guaranteed income (RA 5:2). During their period of office, neither members of the Riksdag nor
alternate members may leave their duties without the approval of the Riksdag. If, through perpetrating a crime, a member of the Riksdag is manifestly unfit for office, then the member may be dismissed through a court decision (IG 4:11).
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Members of the Riksdag enjoy a certain degree of protection against prosecution. Charges may not be brought on the basis of declarations of opinion or acts taking place in the exercise of a member’s duties, unless the Riksdag approves such a procedure with a five-sixths majority (IG 4:12).
The work of the Riksdag and its working procedures are discussed in the section dealing with the Riksdag Act below.
The Head of State Sweden is a monarchy and therefore has a King or Queen as Head of State. Succession to the throne is regulated in the Act of Succession. The Head of State must be at least 18 years of age (IG 5:2).
The Head of State has no political power. The duties of the Head of State are representational and ceremonial. The Head of State is to be kept well-informed about domestic and foreign affairs by the Prime Minister. Special Councils of State chaired by the Head of State may also be ar ranged for this purpose (IG 5:3). The Head of State also presides over the special Council of State at which Government changes hands (IG 6:6). He or she opens Parliament (RA 3:6) and presides over meetings of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs (IG 10:12, paragraph two).
Under rules of international law, the ambassadors of other countries are received by the Head of State, and he or she signs letters authorising Swedish ambassadors to represent Sweden in other countries. State vi sits by the Head of State to other countries, and corresponding visits to Sweden by the Heads of State of other countries are important.
If the King or Queen is unable to perform his or her duties, the mem ber of the royal family who is next in succession assumes the position of temporary regent and performs the duties of the Head of State (IG 5:4).
The Government The Government consists of the Prime Minister and other ministers. Government ministers are appointed by the Prime Minister (IG 6:1). There is a lower limit for the number of ministers: at least five ministers must take part in government meetings (IG 7:4). There is no upper limit. At present there are 24 ministers. To be appointed a minister, it is ne cessary to be a Swedish citizen. Ministers may not have any other paid employment. Nor may they hold any appointment or pursue any activity which may impair public confidence in them (IG 6:2). The Prime Minister usually appoints one of the other members of the Government to act in his or her place if necessary, a position often known as Deputy Prime Minister (IG 6:10).
Formation of the Government If the Prime Minister resigns or dies, it is the Speaker’s duty to place a proposal for a new Prime Minister before the Riksdag. Prior to this, the Speaker must consult the representatives of the various party groups and confer with the Deputy Speakers. If more than half, that is to say at least 175 members of the Riksdag, vote against the proposal, it is rejected.
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Otherwise it is adopted (IG 6:4). Members who abstain are considered to have accepted the Speaker’s proposal. If the proposal is rejected, the Speaker must repeat the procedure with the same or another proposal, but if the Speaker’s proposal is rejected four times, the process is abandoned until a new election has been held. If no ordinary election is due to be held within three months, an extraordinary election must be held within the same period (IG 6:5). To date, the Speaker’s first proposal has been adopted by the Riksdag in every formation of a Government in accordan ce with this order.
If the Government resigns following an election, the Speaker of the new Riksdag has to propose a new Prime Minister. The Speaker of the new Riksdag also leads the consultations with the representatives of the parties. When the rules were drawn up, it was assumed that the Speaker of the old Riksdag would be able to participate in the initial stages of the process by accepting the resignation of the outgoing Prime Minister and initiating the negotiations. This has also been the case in practice.
After every election which does not immediately lead to the Prime Minister’s resignation, the Riksdag must determine whether the Prime Minister has sufficient support in the Riksdag. A decision must be taken not later than two weeks after the Riksdag assembles. If more than half the members of the Riksdag vote no, the Prime Minister is to be dischar ged (IG 6:3).
If the Riksdag declares that the Prime Minister or any government minister does not have the confidence of the Riksdag, the Speaker is to discharge them. Such a declaration requires the votes of more than half the members of the Riksdag (IG 6:7 and 13:4).
The resignation of the Prime Minister may be due to the result of a vote on a Prime Minister after an election, a vote of no confidence, or at his or her own request. In all cases it entails the departure of the whole Government. The same applies if the Prime Minister dies (IG 6:9). A government minister may resign following a vote of no confidence
or at his or her own request. The Prime Minister may discharge a govern ment minister (IG 6:8). If the whole Government resigns, it remains as a caretaker Government until a new Government is in place (IG 6:11). A ca retaker Government has the same powers as any other Government, with one exception. It is not empowered to call an extraordinary election (IG 3:11). As a rule, however, a caretaker Government only makes decisions in routine or urgent matters.
The work of the Government There are two main types of government business, matters of governance and administrative matters. Matters of governance are often political in nature, such as bills for consideration by the Riksdag, and agreements with other countries. Administrative matters primarily concern appoint ments and appeals against decisions by authorities under the Government. Government offices shall exist for the preparation of government bu siness. The Government Offices are also to assist the Government and government ministers in their other activities. The Government Offices
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include ministries for different areas of activity. The Government distri butes business between the ministries, but the Prime Minister appoints the heads of ministries from among the government ministers (IG 7:1). The Prime Minister can also decide that a matter or a group of matters which fall under a certain ministry should be dealt with by another government minister than the head of this ministry (IG 7:5). A ministry may therefo re include government ministers beside the head of the ministry. It also occurs that a minister deals with matters falling under several ministries. There are currently ten ministries. In addition, the Prime Minister has a secretariat which is known as the Prime Minister’s Office. Since 1997, the Government Offices constitute a single public authority headed by the Prime Minister.
As regards the preparation of government business, all that is provi ded is that necessary information and opinions shall be obtained from the public authorities and local authorities concerned, and that organisations and individuals are to have the opportunity to express an opinion as ne cessary (IG 7:2).
Decision-making within the Government is collective. Government business is settled by the Government at government meetings (IG 7:3). Decision-making procedures at government meetings are not regulated, nor are there any rules about voting. Government meetings are the final stage in an often lengthy chain of
internal deliberation and preparatory work of different kinds, in which the Government almost always reaches consensus. There is, however, a right to register a dissenting opinion (IG 7:6). Government meetings have been characterised as meetings of a purely formal nature for the record.
The strength of the position in the Government occupied by the Prime Minister under the Instrument of Government is remarkable. The Prime Minister alone appoints government ministers and allocates responsibi lities among them. A Prime Minister who so wishes may discharge a go vernment minister. If the Prime Minister resigns, the whole Government falls. The Prime Minister is also the head of the whole of the Government Offices.
Acts of law and other provisions Bodies able to decide on provisions The Riksdag is the sole legislator. The Government may also approve general provisions, which take the form of ordinances. Central governme nt administrative authorities and local authorities and their agencies may also approve provisions, but only with Riksdag or Government authorisa tion. Authorisation to adopt provisions shall always be laid down in an act of law or an ordinance (IG 8:1).
Provisions at different levels The fundamental laws constitute the highest level of provisions. The fun damental laws are enacted by means of two identically worded decisions, with a general election intervening (IG 8:14). A referendum on a proposal to amend a fundamental law must be organised if at least one third of the
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members of the Riksdag, that is not less than 117 members, support the proposal to hold a referendum. The referendum must be held on the same day as the Riksdag election preceding the second decision. If a majority of those taking part in the referendum vote against the proposed amend ment, and if these exceed in number half of those registering valid votes in the Riksdag election, the proposed amendment is rejected. If not, the Riksdag’s consideration of the proposal goes ahead, and the Riksdag is free either to adopt or reject it (see IG 8:16). No referendum on a question of fundamental law has yet been held.
Immediately below the level of fundamental law come the principal provisions of the Riksdag Act. These are amended in the same way as the fundamental laws, that is, by means of two Riksdag decisions with a ge neral election intervening, but without the option of a binding referendum. This procedure may however be replaced by a single decision adopted by a qualified majority of at least three fourths of those voting and more than half the total membership of the Riksdag. Laws concerning religious com munities and the principles on which the Church of Sweden as a religious community is based are amended in the same way as the Riksdag Act (IG 8:17).
The next level consists of provisions which can only be approved by the Riksdag, namely mandatory law. The largest group comprises provi sions of law relating to the personal status of individuals and their mutual personal and economic relations, that is, civil law in its entirety (IG 8:2, paragraph one, point 1). These include certain important provisions in public law of an onerous character for citizens, such as those regarding sanctions for crimes other than fines, taxes (with certain exceptions indi cated below), and provisions on bankruptcy or enforcement (IG 8:2, para graph one, point 2 and 8:3, paragraph one). In addition, the Riksdag must decide by law in relation to a number of other circumstances which are in dicated in different parts of the Instrument of Government, e.g. copyright, elections at all levels, the judiciary, and division into local authorities.
The next level is the sphere of facultative law. The Instrument of Government permits the Riksdag to adopt laws authorising the Government to approve provisions, a procedure known as delegated legislation. This procedure can be applied in wide areas of public law, including local government law (IG 8:3). The Riksdag can also delegate legislative powers directly to local authorities in relation to charges and taxes intended to regulate traffic. This latter case entails an exception to the principle that taxes may only be decided by the Riksdag. This excep tion makes it possible for local authorities to impose parking fees and congestion taxes (IG 8:9).
The Instrument of Government has little to say concerning the nature of the provisions the Government or local authorities may adopt following delegation. It was not found possible in the preparatory work to draw any kind of general line in the Instrument of Government, other than that the matter should be resolved by the Riksdag on an ad hoc basis. In the case of less invasive rules, it should be possible for the Riksdag to grant relatively broad authorisation. In cases touching upon important citizens’
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interests, the Riksdag ought to indicate more precisely the limits within which the Government and local authorities are free to act. The Riksdag can demand that regulations adopted by the Government on the basis of an authorisation be referred to the Riksdag for examination (IG 8:6).
The Government also has a direct competence set out in the Instrument of Government (IG 8:7) primarily concerning provisions rela ting to the implementation of laws, that is rules supplementing provisions of law, mainly on the administrative plane. Such provisions fall mainly in the sphere of administrative law, but may also occur in civil, penal and procedural law.
A second group of regulations which the Government can decide on without special authorisation from the Riksdag consists of provisions which under fundamental law do not require a decision by the Riksdag. This is often referred to as the Government’s ‘residuary’ competence. These provisions consist mainly of administrative regulations such as instructions for State authorities but also include, for example, provisions relating to charges, mainly voluntary charges not associated with a mono poly or the exercise of public authority.
The Instrument of Government also permits further delegation from the Government to administrative and local authorities in the form of subdelegation. This means that the Government can transfer such compe tence to an administrative or local authority. This requires the Riksdag to have permitted such further transfer in the text of the law in question (IG 8:10). The Government can also authorise an administrative agency to is sue a provision in both the areas in which the Government has regulatory competence directly based on the Instrument of Government (IG 8:11).
An important matter of principle is that the Riksdag’s regulatory competence is always superior, inasmuch as government competence to adopt provisions in a particular matter does not preclude the Riksdag from adopting provisions in the same matter in an act of law (IG 8:8).
The principle of formal validity A cornerstone of the Instrument of Government’s regulation of rule-ma king competence is the rule concerning formal validity (IG 8:18). A mea sure once adopted as law can only be amended or abrogated by means of another act of law. The same principle applies to the fundamental laws, the Riksdag Act, and the above-mentioned provisions concerning reli gious communities. The same formal requirements apply here as when the law was made. A government ordinance can of course be amended or abrogated by means of another ordinance. The same applies to provisions adopted by public authorities. In the case of provisions adopted by the Government and public authorities, however, the rule referred to above concerning the superior competence of the Riksdag applies. The Riksdag is always free to intervene by abrogating or amending a provision by means of an act of law. The Government is similarly able to abrogate or amend provisions adopted by central government administrative authori ties.
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The Council on Legislation The Government is obliged to refer items of draft legislation in most legi slative areas to the Council on Legislation that consists of members from the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court (IG 8:20–22). Exceptions can be made for draft legislation where examination by the Council on Legislation would lack significance due to the nature of the matter or where it would delay the legislative process so as to cause considerable detriment.
The Council on Legislation sits in divisions. Each division is normal ly made up of three members, at least one of whom shall be drawn from each court. The Council’s task is to examine the conformity of legislative proposals with the Constitution and with the legal system as a whole. The Council must also ensure that the principles of the rule of law are upheld in legislation and that legislative proposals satisfy the stated objectives and can work in practice.
The various committees of the Riksdag shall also solicit the opinion of the Council on Legislation. This may be appropriate when a committee is considering whether to propose an amendment to a government bill or when a committee raises a question of law not previously raised by the Government, either in response to a private member’s motion or on its own initiative. It sometimes happens that a committee obtains a statement of opinion when it does not share the Government’s view that the opinion of the Council on Legislation is not needed.
Examination by the Council on Legislation constitutes an important check on the legislative process, not least with respect to the compatibi lity of draft legislation with fundamental law. However, the Council on Legislation is consultative, not decision-making. The Government and, in the final instance, the Riksdag may choose to ignore its advice.
Financial power Financial power, that is the right to control State revenue and expenditure, is a key function of the State. The possessor of this power holds an instru ment for distributing income and resources in society, which may be used for economic, fiscal, regional or general welfare purposes.
In Sweden this power is vested in the Riksdag. The introductory chap ter of the Instrument of Government states that the Riksdag shall deter mine taxes and decide how State funds shall be employed. The wording expresses the traditional separation of financial power into two functions: taxation and budget decisions. Budget decisions involve calculating State revenue and determining appropriations (IG 9:3 paragraph one).
As has already been pointed out, decisions concerning taxes take the form of law. Onerous charges are also approved by the Riksdag in the form of law, while others are approved by the Government by ordinance. Delegation is also a possibility (IG 8:3, paragraph one and 8:9, point 1). Decisions concerning taxes and charges or contributions are thus kept separate from the budget process. But in actual fact they are closely lin ked. Calculating State revenue forms part of the budget process. Revenue requirements have to be judged against expenditure requirements and the
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possibility of borrowing. The Government may not take loans or other wise assume financial obligations on behalf of the State without authority from the Riksdag (IG 9:8, paragraph two).
The Riksdag also determines how State revenue is to be used. It does this by allocating appropriations for specific purposes. These appropria tions are set out in the national budget. The Riksdag may also decide to allocate funds for specific purposes by means other than appropriations (IG 9:3, paragraph three). This is referred to as special dedication.
The budget period is one year, and corresponds to the calendar year. The Riksdag may, however, approve guidelines for State activities exten ding beyond the coming budget period (IG 9:6).
The Spring Fiscal Policy Bill, which is submitted annully no later than 15 April, draws up the guidelines for future economic and budgetary policy (RA 9.5.2). The Government’s budget proposal, the Budget Bill, must be submitted no later than 20 September. If there is an election in September, it must be submitted no later than two weeks after the ope ning of the Riksdag session. In the event of a change of Government, the Budget Bill must be submitted within three weeks from the date on which the new Government takes office, but no later than 15 November (RA 9.5.1).
To integrate its consideration of the budget, the Riksdag uses the fra mework decision model. It works as follows. The Government’s Budget Bill contains proposals regarding the allocation of expenditure to 27 expenditure areas, as well as an estimate of revenue (RA 9:5). On the basis of a proposal from the Committee on Finance, the Riksdag makes a decision which establishes the estimated revenue in the central govern ment budget as well as the maximum amount for appropriations in each expenditure area (expenditure limit). This decision is made around 20 November, except in an election year. After this, a decision is made regar ding the distribution of appropriations within each expenditure area. The sum total of appropriations within an expenditure area may not exceed the expenditure limit (RA 11:18).
State assets are at the disposal of and are administered by the Government (IG 9:8, paragraph one), but these assets may not be used in any way not approved by the Riksdag (IG 9:7). This does not, however, mean that an appropriation must be disbursed fully or in part. This is a matter for the Government to decide in light of its responsibility to Parliament.
After the end of the budget year, the Government must present an annual report for the State to the Riksdag (IG 9:10).
The Riksbank is the central bank of Sweden and an authority under the Riksdag. It is responsible for monetary policy, but responsibility for gene ral currency policy matters rests with the Government (IG 9:12–13). This means, for instance, that the Riksbank determines the interest rate and the Government determines the exchange rate system. To exercise scrutiny and control over the Riksbank, the Riksdag elects a General Council of the Riksbank consisting of eleven members. An Executive Board, consis ting of six persons elected by the Council for five or six years, is respon sible for the actual management of the Riksbank. The Council appoints a
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Governor of the Riksbank and at least one Deputy Governor from among the six members of the Executive Board. According to the Riksbank Act, the objective of the Riksbank’s activities is to maintain a stable currency and to foster a secure and efficient payments system. The Riksbank alone has the right to issue banknotes and coins (IG 9:14).
International agreements and transfers of power Agreements with other states or with international organisations are concluded by the Government (IG 10:1). The Riksdag is guaranteed in fluence in important international agreements, however. All agreements that require a Riksdag decision in order to be implemented must be app roved by the Riksdag. The Government must also obtain the approval of the Riksdag in regard to other important agreements. In such cases, however—if it is in the interest of the Realm—Riksdag approval may be replaced by consultation with the all-party Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs.
The Government is obliged to keep the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs continuously informed of matters relating to foreign relations which may be of significance for the Realm, and to confer with the Council on such matters as required. The Government is also obliged, if possible, to confer with the Council on all foreign policy matters of major significance before making its decision (IG 10:11).
The Council is presided over by the Head of State. In the absence of the Head of State, the Prime Minister presides. The Speaker is a member ex officio, and the Council is made up of a further nine proportionally elected members of the Riksdag (IG 10:12).
In Sweden, functions of public law such as legislation may only be performed by bodies whose competence has direct support in fundamental law or is authorised by virtue of fundamental law. A general precondition for this is that the decision-making body is national.
Among other things, the above means that for Sweden the provisions of international agreements are limited in validity to Sweden as a state. If Sweden makes an undertaking under such an agreement, it is not binding on Swedish citizens until it has been incorporated in Swedish law by the decision of a competent Swedish body. This can be done in various ways, for example by rewriting the agreement as a Swedish statute, or by prom ulgating the text of the agreement in Swedish translation or, more rarely, in the foreign original, as a Swedish statute.
Transfer of decision-making authority to a foreign or international body presupposes explicit support in fundamental law. The Instrument of Government differentiates between transfers of authority to the EU and other transfers of authority. Transfers of authority to the EU are dealt with in the next section. In the case of other transfers of authority, decision-ma king authority directly based on the Instrument of Government may be transferred only to a limited extent if they concern decisions laying down provisions of law, the use of State assets, judicial or administrative func tions, or the conclusion or denunciation of international agreements or obligations. Certain of them may not be transferred at all. This applies to
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decisions on the fundamental laws, the Riksdag Act, the Elections Act and laws on limiting one of the rights and freedoms under Chapter 2 of the Instrument of Government (IG 10:7).
Judicial or administrative functions which are not directly based on the Instrument of Government may be transferred, not only to internatio nal bodies but also to another state or a foreign or international institution or community (IG 10:8). This concerns such matters as cooperation with neighbouring countries on customs control, correctional care, etc.
Decisions on transferring such authority can be made by the Riksdag if not less than three quarters of those voting, and more than half the total membership vote for the decision. Otherwise decisions can be made in accordance with the rules for amending fundamental law, that is by means of two Riksdag decisions with an election intervening, with the option of a binding referendum if at least one third of Riksdag members vote in favour of this.
The Riksdag can decide that future amendments to an international ag reement that have been incorporated into Swedish law may automatically apply in Sweden. A provision in the Instrument of Government makes this possible. One requirement is that the future amendment shall be of limited extent. Such a decision is made in accordance with the rules applying to other transfers of decision-making authority (IG 10:9).
Sweden and the EU When Sweden applied to join the EU it was clear from the start that the regulations then applying to the international transfer of decision-making authority did not permit a transfer of authority as wide-reaching as that required for accession. An essential feature of the EU is that Union bodies in the areas to which the transfer of decision-making authority applies shall be able to make provisions taking immediate and direct effect in member states. Such rules shall supersede member states’ own provisions, insofar as the wording of these provisions conflicts with EU rules.
This was resolved by implementing an amendment of the Instrument of Government exclusively geared to the EU. One reason for this was an unwillingness to open the door for such far-reaching transfers of authority to other international bodies.
Two important conditions for transfer of authority in the framework of EU cooperation are included in fundamental law (IG 10:6, paragraph one). The first is that the transfer may not relate to competence affecting the basic principles by which Sweden is governed. This is based on the declaration made by the Committee on the Constitution upon the intro duction of the provision. The Committee on the Constitution emphasised that the position of the Riksdag as the principal state body must not be un dermined to any significant degree by any transfer of legislative powers. The Committee also noted the importance of the free formation of opinion for the Swedish form of government and the important role played in this connection by the principle of public access to official documents and of the freedom to communicate information. The second condition is that the Union should have safeguards for rights and freedoms corresponding
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to those enshrined in the Instrument of Government and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. This regulation in the fundamental law is based on the precon dition that the EU’s law-making bodies may not assume any competence beyond that granted them by the member states in accession treaties and in subsequent treaties.
For the Riksdag to be able to transfer decision-making authority within the framework of EU cooperation, the same kind of qualified majo rity is required as for other transfers of power. Not less than three quarters of those voting, and more than half the total membership of the Riksdag, must support the decision. Alternatively the decisions may be made in the same way as a decision affecting fundamental law, that is to say with two identical decisions with a Riksdag election intervening (IG 10:6, para graph two).
There is a further special provision addressing cooperation in the EU, according to which the Riksdag can approve an agreement within the fra mework of this cooperation even if the agreement has not been finalised (IG 10:4).
The Instrument of Government states that the Government has an obligation to inform and consult the Riksdag in EU matters (IG 10:10). For this consultation, following the example of Denmark, Sweden has established a Committee on European Union Affairs elected from within the Riksdag (see RA 7:4, 14). The idea is that government ministers inform the committee members and solicit their points of view prior to meetings of the Council of Ministers. Proposals that the Committee should be empowered to issue binding instructions for Swedish action in the Council have been rejected by the Riksdag. On the other hand, according to the Committee on the Constitution, it is possible to assume that the Government will not represent a view which conflicts with a view expressed by the Committee. Actual practice has developed in such a way that it is not considered enough for the Government not to take any action which conflicts with the views of the Committee on EUAffairs, but that it should rather act in accordance with the advice and views of the Committee. The Riksdag committees shall also monitor the work of the European Union in their respective fields. The Government has an obliga tion to deliberate with the Riksdag committees on EU matters decided by the committees. The committees also deliver statements to the Chamber on certain EU documents (RO 7:12, 14; 9:20).
In the Lisbon Treaty of 2009, national parliaments were tasked with scrutinising proposals for legislation within the EU to ensure that they do not conflict with the principle of subsidiarity, that is the principle that, in the areas in which it shares decision-making authority with the member states, the Union may only take action if, and insofar as, the objectives of the proposed action cannot adequately be achieved by the member states. If the Riksdag considers that a proposal conflicts with the principle of subsidiarity, it submits a reasoned opinion to the Commission, the Council and the European Parliament (RA 9:20; 11:21). If a large enough number of parliaments in the member states reach the same conclusion, the draft legislative act shall be reviewed.
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Administration of justice and public administration The independence of the judiciary and public administration The Instrument of Government’s regulation of the judiciary and public administration, which now comprises two chapters, namely Chapters 11 and 12, is comparatively brief. The organisation of the courts, however, is described in greater detail (IG 11:1 paragraph one) than the administrative authorities which are answerable to the Government (IG 12:1). In the lat ter case, only the Chancellor of Justice is mentioned by name. It is stated that the judicial tasks of the courts and the main features of their organisa tion and legal proceedings must be decided by law (IG 11:2).
Certain provisions of the Instrument of Government are principally intended to support and protect the independence of the judiciary and the administrative authorities. The Riksdag may not perform any judicial or administrative tasks except to the extent laid down in fundamental law or in the Riksdag Act (IG 11:4 and 12:3). In addition, neither the Riksdag nor the Government nor any public authority may intervene in court de cisions regarding particular cases (IG 11:3). Nor may the Riksdag, the Government, or the decision-making body of a local authority or any au thority decide how administrative authorities settle matters regarding the exercise of public authority in relation to individuals or local authorities, or regarding the application of law (IG 12:2). Outside the area covered by this provision, administrative authorities under the Government have a general duty of obedience towards the Government (IG 12:1).
Permanent salaried judges enjoy an independent status guaranteed by the procedures used to appoint or dismiss them. The Government appoints judges and this right cannot be delegated (IG 11:6). The appointment of judges is to be prepared by an independent board consisting of five permanent salaried judges, two lawyers active outside the judiciary and two representatives of the general public selected by the Riksdag. The Government is not bound by the board’s proposal, but if the Government wishes to appoint a different candidate it must first permit the board to communicate its views. Permanent salaried judges can only be removed from their posts if they have shown themselves manifestly unfit for such an appointment by reason of criminal activity or gross or repeated neg lect of their duties. Permanent salaried judges can also be removed from office if they have reached the age of retirement currently in force or are obliged to resign due to long-term loss of the capacity to work (IG 11:7, paragraph one). When making official appointments, both in courts of law and in other
authorities, the principle applies that attention should be directed only to objective factors such as merit and competence (IG 11:6, paragraph two and 12:5, paragraph two). ‘Merit’ refers to familiarity with the require ments of the position acquired over time, and is usually measured in years of service. ‘Competence’ refers to general and special understanding of importance for the position. Today, competence should be the principal ground for appointment unless there is reason to employ other grounds.
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Extraordinary legal institutions Chapters 11 and 12 of the Instrument of Government also contain provi sions concerning certain extraordinary legal institutions, namely reope ning of closed cases, restoration of lapsed time, dispensations, and the ex ercise of clemency and remission. The rules relating to reopening of clo sed cases and restoration of lapsed time confine themselves to setting out which bodies are competent to take decisions in these matters (IG 11:13). Dispensation relates to the possibility of making exceptions of a favoura ble nature from a statutory provision in a particular case. The Government may permit such an exception from a provision of an ordinance or from a rule adopted by virtue of a government decision (IG 12:8). By exercising clemency the Government may remit or reduce a penal sanction or other legal effect of a criminal act, and remit or reduce any other similar inter vention by a public authority concerning an individual’s person or proper ty (IG 12:9, paragraph one). Closely related to the exercise of clemency is the Government’s right to approve a remission, that is, to order that no further action shall be taken to investigate or prosecute a criminal act (IG 12:9, paragraph two). The right of remission can be exercised only where exceptional grounds exist.
Judicial review An important constitutional task of the courts and other public bodies charged with administering justice is to determine whether elected politi cal bodies have exceeded the limits which the fundamental laws have laid down regarding the adoption of provisions. In applying a provision these bodies must check that it is not in conflict with a provision of fundamental law or another superior statute and that statutory procedure has been com plied with in all essential respects in the creation of the regulation. If such is the case, the provision must not be applied. This procedure is known as a judicial review (or norm assessment) and is to be implemented in the same way regardless of whether the Riksdag, the Government or a public authority adopted the provision. However, according to the provisions on judicial review, it must be taken into special consideration that the Riksdag is the foremost representative of the people and that fundamental law takes precedence over other law (IG 11:14 and 12:10).
Parliamentary control The everyday business of the Riksdag with legislative, budgetary and organisational matters in itself constitutes a form of control of public activities. For its consideration, every matter presupposes an assessment of prevailing conditions and, more often than not, an examination of for mer activities in the particular area in question. The committees have an important task in this respect. In addition, the Constitution now affirms that the Riksdag committees have the task of following up and evaluating Riksdag decisions in their respective subject areas (IG 4:8).
The rules concerning the obligation of the Government to resign are an essential element of parliamentary control. These are designed in such a way that the Riksdag can declare that a minister no longer enjoys
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the confidence of Parliament (IG 13:4). A minister who is the object of a declaration of no confidence must be discharged (IG 6:7). If the declara tion of no confidence is directed against the Prime Minister, all ministers must be discharged (IG 6:9). The decision to discharge a minister in a case of a declaration of no confidence lies with the Speaker.
The obligation to resign is however limited in two respects. First, the Speaker’s decision must, as a rule, be held over for one week
from the date of the declaration of no confidence, during which period the Government may nullify the effect of the declaration by calling an extra ordinary election. The Government enjoys this right, regardless of whether the declaration of no confidence concerns a government minister or the Prime Minister. This respite rule naturally applies only in cases in which the Government is permitted to call an extraordinary election (see IG 3:11).
Second, if the whole of the Government has been discharged, minis ters remain in office until a new Government takes over, in which case the old Government becomes a caretaker Government (IG 6:11). A vote on a declaration of no confidence follows a special procedure.
A motion to this effect must be put forward by at least one tenth of the members of the Riksdag, that is, by at least 35 members. The motion is not to be prepared in committee. To be approved, a declaration of no con fidence must have the support of an absolute majority of all members, that is, at least 175 members. No motion calling for a declaration of no confi dence has yet been adopted by the Riksdag. Such motions have been put forward on seven occasions. A vote of confidence on the part of the Riksdag in the Government can
be introduced without this procedure. The Government may announce, for example, that it intends to resign or call an extraordinary election if it is defeated in a vote on a particular issue, whether it be an act of law or some other matter. In such a case, the Government is said to have declared the matter a ‘Cabinet issue’. Such a situation arose on 15 February 1990, when the Riksdag rejected a government proposal for a wage freeze and compulsory mediation. After the Government lost a vote on the central government budget on 3 December 2014, the Prime Minister announced that the Government intended to call an extraordinary election. Following the “December Agreement” between the Government and the opposition, however, the Government decided to call off the extraordinary election.
An important aspect of parliamentary control consists of the examina- tion of ministers’ performance of their official duties and the handling of government business, which the Committee on the Constitution is to con duct and report to the Riksdag (IG 13:1–2). The underlying intention is that this scrutiny should be constitutional and administrative in character, rather than political.
The Committee on the Constitution is to issue a scrutiny report at least once a year. Currently this is done twice a year. In the autumn an account is given of the scrutiny of the administrative practice of the Government which is initiated by the Committee itself. The spring report is devoted to the cases notified for scrutiny by individual members of the Riksdag. As a rule, these cases concern measures taken by ministers. The spring report regularly forms the basis for a comprehensive debate in the Chamber.
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The Committee on the Constitution has another constitutionally important control function, namely that of taking decisions to institute criminal proceedings against a minister (IG 13:3). In the performance of their duties, ministers are generally accountable under penal law, but liability can be exacted only if they are deemed to have ‘grossly’ neglected their official duties. The case goes directly to the Supreme Court. The Committee on the Constitution can request the assistance of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen in the preliminary investigation. The Parliamentary Ombudsmen also have the duty of instituting the criminal proceedings. No criminal charges have been brought against a minister since the new Instrument of Government came into force.
The parliamentary questions system, which covers parliamentary questions and interpellations (IG 13:5), is another feature of the parliame ntary control system. Interpellations and questions from members are to be addressed to a minister and relate to the performance of the minister’s official duties. The questions system is regulated in more detail in Chapter 6 of the Riksdag Act, which lays down that replies to interpellations are delivered orally by the ministers concerned and are followed by a debate in which members other than the member submitting the interpellation may participate. Questions are submitted either in writing, in which case they are answered by ministers in writing, or orally at Question Time in the Chamber, when ministers answer them directly.
Certain parliamentary control functions are more indirect as far as the Riksdag is concerned and are conducted by elected politically inde pendent officials, namely, the four Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the three Auditors General of the National Audit Office. The Parliamentary Ombudsmen are elected for four years and may be re-elected. They super vise the application of laws and other regulations in public institutions (IG 13:6 and RA 13:2–4). Anyone may lodge complaints against an authority or agency to the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, but the Ombudsmen can also initiate investigations themselves. The Parliamentary Ombudsmen can criticise the handling of a matter by a court of law or an administrative au thority. If a serious error is committed by a judge or an official, they may be prosecuted by the Ombudsmen. The Office of Ombudsman has served as a model for similar watchdog institutions in many other countries. The task of the National Audit Office is to examine the activities of
the State, but it may also be assigned to audit other activities (IG 13:7). The Auditors General are elected by the Riksdag for seven years without the possibility of re-election. The Auditors General decide independently what to audit, how to conduct their audits and what conclusions to draw (IG 13:8). The audit reports are presented to the Riksdag. In response to each such audit report, the Government presents the measures it intends to take in a written communication to the Riksdag. The communication becomes an item of parliamentary business, with the ensuing right to submit private members’ motions, committee report and a decision in the Chamber (RA 9:19).
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Local authorities The principles of democracy shall also be applied in local government. Decision-making powers in local authorities are therefore exercised by elected assemblies (IG 14:1). Local self-government may be defined as a principle whereby local
authorities themselves shall decide local and regional matters of public interest. The nature of these matters is laid down in law. Other mat ters which local authorities are responsible for on the principle of local self-government (IG 14:2) are also laid down in law.
Local self-government can be restricted but in such cases a principle of proportionality is to be applied. This means that restrictions should not exceed what is necessary with respect to the purpose of the restrictions (IG 14:3). If there are different ways of attaining the same objectives, the Riksdag should respect the principle of local self-government and choo se the manner of regulation which least affects local government deci sion-making powers.
Local self-government presupposes that municipalities and county councils dispose of financial resources. The right of local authorities to raise taxes has therefore been considered so indispensable that it is affir med in the Constitution (IG 14:4).
The constitutionality of tax equalisation between local authorities has previously been a matter of contention. As of 2010, the Instrument of Government explicitly states that local authorities may be obliged in law to contribute to the costs of other local authorities on condition that the measure is necessary to achieve equitable financial preconditions in local authorities (IG 14:5).
War and the danger of war In time of war and danger of war, it may be necessary for the Riksdag and the Government to act speedily to resolve upcoming problems. The Instrument of Government provides certain opportunities for intervening in this manner, mainly in the form of transferring constitutional powers from the Riksdag to the Government (see for example IG 8:3–4). When this is not possible, there are other solutions. There has been discussion about the feasibility of amending the Constitution by means of a single decision supported by a qualified majority. Another possibility is to act without explicit support in the Constitution applying constitutional right of necessity (jus necessitatis) to transfer a greater or lesser degree of the Riksdag’s competence to the Government.
These solutions were rejected. Hasty decisions to amend fundamen tal law would involve a risk of pressure from abroad and could lead to ill-considered positions being adopted. If, on the other hand, constitutio nal jus necessitatis is invoked, there is a risk that the decisions in question will not be respected as legitimate. It might furthermore make it easier for treasonous groups to seize power.
It was decided instead to create constitutional rules in peaceti me which, as far as possible, enable public bodies to act within the
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Constitution even in crisis situations. Rules of this kind are collected in Chapter 15 of the Instrument of Government. Should the country find itself at war or exposed to the danger of war, a
meeting of the Riksdag must be convened (IG 15:1). The Riksdag’s deci sion-making competence may however be transferred to a proportionally composed War Delegation (IG 15:2–3). This consists of the Speaker and fifty other members of the Riksdag (RA 13:11). The Delegation has wi de-ranging powers and is empowered to function in exile, that is outside Sweden’s borders.
If both the Riksdag and the War Delegation are unable to carry out their duties in time of war, the Government is empowered to assume the powers and responsibilities of the Riksdag to the extent that is necessary to protect the country and bring hostilities to a close. The Government is then enabled to act in exile as both legislature and executive. Only the fundamental laws, the Riksdag Act and the Elections Act are excluded from its decision-making competence (IG 15:5).
Tasks which are normally the responsibility of the Government may, to a great extent, be delegated to subordinate authorities. The Instrument of Government also permits certain special arrangements in respect of the local authorities (IG 15:12).
The Instrument of Government contains a basic principle regarding the conduct of Swedish public bodies in occupied territory. They are to act in the manner that best serves the defence effort and resistance activities, as well as the protection of the civilian population and Swedish interests at large. In no circumstances may a public body make any decision or take any action which in contravention of international law imposes on a citizen of the country any obligation to render assistance to the occupying power. Elections to the Riksdag and to decision-making local government assemblies may not be held in occupied territory. Neither the Riksdag, the Government nor the War Delegation may take decisions in occupied territory. The Instrument of Government in general prohibits members of the Riksdag and ministers from exercising in occupied territory any of the powers otherwise vested in them (IG 15:9).
If the country is at war, the Head of State should accompany the Government (IG 15:10). If the Head of State is in occupied territory or separated from the Government, he or she is debarred from exercising any of the functions of Head of State.
The chapter also contains rules adapted to the current security policy situation and the circumstance that Swedish armed forces participate in peacekeeping forces and other international assignments. In close accor dance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, the Government has the right to deploy Swedish armed forces to meet an ar med attack on Sweden or to prevent a violation of Sweden’s territory. To prevent any violation of its territory in peacetime or during a war between foreign states, the Government may authorise the Swedish armed forces to use force in accordance with international law (IG 15:13). On the other hand, the approval of the Riksdag is required to send Swedish armed for ces to other countries or otherwise deploy such forces (IG 15:16).
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The Riksdag Act (RA) The fourth chapter of the Instrument of Government contains certain fun damental provisions concerning the work and working procedures of the Riksdag. The most important provisions in other respects are to be found in the principal provisions of the Riksdag Act, with more detailed rules in the supplementary provisions. Amendment of the principal provisions is effected either by means of a single decision with a qualified majority or using the same procedure as in the case of fundamental law, but without the option of a referendum. Supplementary provisions are amended in the same way as ordinary law.
On 1 September 2014 a new Riksdag Act came into force and primari ly consists of an editorial and linguistic review of the Riksdag Act of 1974 with the purpose of making it more consistent and comprehensible. Some changes to the contents were also made. The new Riksdag Act has a total of 14 chapters.
Riksdag sessions Each year the Riksdag assembles for a Riksdag session (IG 4:1). Ordinary elections to the Riksdag are held every four years (IG 3:3) in September (RA 2:1). After an election, whether ordinary or extraordinary, the Riksdag meets in session on the fifteenth day following election day, but no sooner than the fourth day after the result has been declared (IG 3:10). In a year in which there is no ordinary election, a new session starts on a date in September determined by the Riksdag at the preceding session (RA 3:8).
A Riksdag session is opened at a special meeting of the Chamber. At this meeting, at the request of the Speaker, the Head of State decla res the session open. The Prime Minister then delivers a Statement of Government Policy, unless there are special grounds for not doing so, such as in the case of a change of government (RA 3:6). A Riksdag ses sion continues until the start of the next session (RA 3:7).
Leadership and planning of the work of the Riksdag The Speaker, the foremost representative of the Riksdag, is elected for an entire electoral period (IG 4:2), that is, as a general rule, for four years. The Speaker is appointed at the first meeting of a new electoral period (RA 3:3). At the same time, the First, Second and Third Deputy Speakers are elected. The Speaker’s functions are very important. He or she directs the work of the Riksdag (RA 4:2) and presides over the meetings of the Chamber (RA 6:3). The Speaker may, however, delegate to a Deputy Speaker the task of presiding over a meeting. The Speaker’s task of direc ting the work of the Riksdag primarily entails responsibility for planning this work. The Speaker chairs the meetings of the Chamber. The Speaker shall ensure that the rules of debate are observed and that motions raised do not conflict with fundamental law or with the Riksdag Act (RA 11:7). In debates in the Chamber, the Speaker is debarred from speaking on a matter under deliberation, and may not take part in votes (RA 6:6). The
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Speaker’s duties as a member of the Riksdag are exercised by an alterna te. The Deputy Speakers, however, who do not have alternates, may take part in votes when they preside over meetings of the Chamber. As men tioned above, the Speaker proposes a new Prime Minister. The Speaker is also a member of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs (IG 10:12) and acts as temporary regent (Head of State) when no other eligible person is able to do so (IG 5:7).
Each party group appoints a representative (group leader) to confer with the Speaker on the work of the Chamber (RA 4:3). The Speaker chairs the Riksdag Board (RA 4.4.1). The Riksdag Board directs the Riksdag Administration and confers on the planning of Riksdag business. In addition to the Speaker, the Board is made up of ten other members of the Riksdag appointed for each electoral period on the basis of parliamen tary proportionality.
Meetings of the Chamber Members are seated in the Chamber by constituency and not by party, and each member has his or her own appointed place. There are also special places for government ministers. Meetings are open to the public, but if for example the foreign policy situation necessitates it, it is possible to meet behind closed doors (IG 4:9, RA 6:7).
Debates are held to discuss committee reports and interpellations. After consulting the group leaders, the Speaker may decide that a debate shall be held on matters unconnected with other business under consi deration. This category of specially-arranged debates includes debates between party leaders, general policy debates, and debates on matters of current interest (RA 6:23).
Possible limitation of debate is a complex and important issue. On the one hand, there is the fundamental democratic principle that a member’s right to speak should not be circumscribed in respect either of number or duration of interventions. On the other hand, there is a risk that time spent debating in the Chamber will increase considerably. Under the rules of debate, every member has the right to speak for four minutes on each item of business (RA 6:21). A member who puts himself or herself down to speak in a debate no later than a day in advance may speak for a longer time, but must indicate the expected duration of his or her intervention (RA 6:21). No time limit is laid down in law. On the other hand, debating time is limited in the first instance by means of inter-party agreements reached in consultation with the Speaker. Special rules apply to interpel lation debates (RA 8.4.2). In the specially arranged debates, the Speaker determines the rules after consultation with the party groups (RA 6.1.3). No speakers in any Riksdag debate may speak inappropriately of another person, use personally insulting language, or otherwise behave in word or deed in a way that contravenes good order (RA 6:16).
A record is kept of debates held at meetings of the Chamber, and is available on the day after the meeting (RA 6:24).
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Introduction of business The right to introduce a matter in the Chamber implies a right to demand a Riksdag decision in the matter. This right of initiative is vested in the Government (IG 4:4) by means of a government bill or written commu nication (RA 9:2, 7); in every member of the Riksdag (IG 4:4) by means of a private member’s motion (RA 9:10); in the committees by means of a committee initiative (RA 9:10); and in certain Riksdag bodies by means of a submission or a report (RA 9:16). The most far-reaching rights of in itiative lie with the Government and individual members of the Riksdag. These have the right to put forward proposals on all matters coming within the jurisdiction of the Riksdag, unless otherwise provided in the Instrument of Government (IG 4:4). Some EU documents are also consi dered by the Riksdag (RA 9:20).
Government bills and written communications constitute the most im portant working materials of the Riksdag. There were 256 of these during the 2013/14 session. The most important bill is the Budget Bill, which is tabled annually. Private members’ motions also form a significant part of the work of the Riksdag. The private members’ motions do not as a rule receive the same thorough preparation as government bills and therefore often require a certain amount of preparatory work in the committees concerned. During the 2013/14 session, there were 3856 such motions, with 9568 proposals.
The Riksdag Act lays down time limits for the introduction of govern ment bills and private members’ motions. The provisions of RA 9:3 other wise lay down that the Riksdag shall determine the latest submission da tes for government bills which in the Government’s view need to be dealt with in the course of a session. The Government may, however, introduce a bill at a later date if it finds that there are exceptional grounds for doing so (RA 9:3, point 2). The Spring Fiscal Policy Bill is to be submitted by no later than 15 April every year and in years when there is no election, the Budget Bill is to be submitted no later than 20 September (RA 9.5.1 and 9.5.2).
Private members’ motions arising out of a government bill, a govern ment communication, a submission or a report from a Riksdag body other than a committee must be introduced within fifteen days from the date on which the initiative was notified to the Chamber (RA 3:11). The general period for the introduction of private members’ motions begins when the session opens and ends when the period for presentation of private mem bers’ motions on the Budget Bill expires. A private member’s motion sub mitted during this general period may deal with any subject on which the Riksdag may decide (RA 3:10).
Preparation of business Business must be prepared before it is put to the Riksdag for decision. This means that all matters introduced in the Chamber are referred to a committee for preparation (IG 4:5, RA 10:5). The predominant type of
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committee in the Riksdag is the permanent committee. As a rule, matters are distributed among committees according to subject area (RA 7:5). A committee must adopt a position on the proposals put forward in the item of business referred to it for preparation, and submit a report to the Chamber (RA 10:2). As a rule, no matters except the Budget Bill may be shared between committees (RA 7:6). If there are aspects of a matter which affect another committee’s policy area, the preparing committee can request the other committee to deliver an opinion (RA 10:7). Opinions of this kind are the most common form of cooperation between commit tees. The committees deliver statements to the Chamber on certain EU matters. There are fifteen permanent committees in the Riksdag. The
Committee on the Constitution and the Committee on Finance have special responsibilities and are mentioned specifically in the Instrument of Government (IG 4:3). Other committees are specified by name in the Riksdag Act (RA 7.2.1 and 7:10). Each committee must have an odd num ber of members, but no fewer than fifteen (RA 7:4). The current number is seventeen. There are at least as many deputy members as there are ordinary members. The committees are elected for the electoral period of the Riksdag (RA 7:2). Each committee is elected separately. Elections are almost invariably based on a list of candidates agreed to by the parties. In distributing committee places, it is generally ensured that the parties are represented in the committees in relation to their size in the Chamber.
The Committee on Finance has a great responsibility and a coordina ting role in the budget process. In addition to its task of preparing matters relating to general guidelines for economic policy, the national budget, and the activities of the Riksbank, the Committee prepares proposals for expenditure limits for different expenditure areas (RA 7:9). The expendi ture limits are determined by the Riksdag and are binding on the commit tees. In addition, before another committee submits a report on a matter whose proposals could have significant future repercussions for public revenue and expenditure, the Committee on Finance must have the oppor tunity to comment (RA 10:4). The right of the Committee on Finance to submit proposals affecting another committee’s area of policy for reasons of economic policy should be viewed in this context (RA 9:16).
An important rule with regard to the preparation process is that a State authority or central government agency is under an obligation to provide information and deliver opinions to a committee when so requested. Such a request can be made by a committee minority of at least five members (RA 10:8, 9). The Council on Legislation (IG 8:20–21) is also considered to be a State authority. However, the Government’s obligation to provide information is limited mainly to EU matters. If a committee intends to propose an amendment to law on account of a motion or by means of a committee initiative, the committee is to obtain the necessary information and statements, unless the committee considers that there are particular reasons for not doing so. This also applies to proposals with an impact on the central government budget, such as proposals to raise or lower appro priations in relation to the Government’s Budget Bill (RA 10:4).
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Committee meetings are not open to the public. However, a committee is free to arrange public hearings for information-gathering purposes (RA 7:17).
If a committee fails to agree, the matter is decided by means of a vote. If the vote is tied, the chair has a casting vote. A member who loses a vote has the right to append a reservation (RA 10:11).
In addition to the formal preparation of business, the committees are to monitor EU business and may hold deliberations with the Government in matters concerning the EU (RA 7:12, 13). The Committee on European Union Affairs is not a parliamentary committee which prepares mat ters prior to a decision in the Chamber. The Government consults the Committee on European Union Affairs ahead of decisions in the Council of the European Union (RA 7:14).
Settlement of business A committee report or statement should normally be available for the members no later than two weekdays before being taken up for debate and settlement (RA 11:2). In the debate each member of the Riksdag and government minister has the right to speak (IG 4:6, paragraph one). Many matters are not controversial, so there is generally no need for a debate.
A matter may be decided by the members saying ‘yes’ or ‘no’, in other words by acclamation, but a member is always entitled to demand and obtain a vote. A vote must always be taken if a decision requires a quali fied majority (RA 11:8). If there are more than two proposals regarding the matter to be decided, a process of elimination (RA 11:10) is applied. This calls for the gradual elimination of proposals by a reductive process of voting on pairs of proposals until only two remain. In other words, the successful proposal goes forward to the next vote until only two remain and a final deciding vote can be taken.
Voting is open (RA 11:10). The principal rule is that a vote is won by the proposal that has the support of more than half of those voting (IG 4:7). Certain decisions, however, require a qualified majority, or other special procedure (RA 11:14). In certain procedural matters the issue may be decided by a minority. If a final vote is tied, the matter is tabled and a new vote is taken at a later meeting. If the vote is tied a second time, the matter may be referred back to the committee or else decided by lot (RA 11:12).
There are three ways in which a vote may be taken: by members rising in their places, by using electronic voting equipment, or, if this cannot be used, by a call of names (RA 11:10).
As a general rule, a matter must be settled during the electoral period in which it is raised. However, the Riksdag can approve deferral to the first session of the next electoral period. The committees determine when within the electoral period a matter is to be considered. Business relating to the national budget for the following budget year must, however, be settled before the start of the budget year unless it can without detriment be decided later (RA 11:15).
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THE PRINCIPAL CONTENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS AND THE RIKSDAG ACT
Staff and administration The head of the Riksdag staff and administration is the Secretary-General of the Riksdag. The Secretary-General of the Riksdag is also the offici al who works most closely with the Riksdag Board and the Speaker in leading the work of the Riksdag. The Secretary-General of the Riksdag is elected by the Riksdag for a period of four years with the possibility of re-election (RA 14:4–8). The Riksdag Administration shall provide support to the work of the Chamber, the Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs, as well as assist the members of the Riksdag and Riksdag bodies with factual information for their work in the Riksdag (RA 14:2).
The Act of Succession The Act of Succession was adopted in 1810 after Marshal of France Jean Baptiste Bernadotte was elected Crown Prince of Sweden. The Act regulates the order in which descendants of the present King succeed to the throne. Sweden now has full cognatic succession to the throne. This means that both male and female descendants of Carl XVI Gustaf have the right to succeed to the throne. Older siblings and the descendants of older siblings take priority over younger siblings and the descendants of younger siblings.
The Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression
The freedom to produce and disseminate information As far as printed matter is concerned, there are no grounds in law for public institutions (for a definition of public institutions, see under ‘Democracy’ under ‘Basic principles of the form of government’) to take prior action on account of the content of a document to prohibit or prevent anyone who so wishes from producing or disseminating the document (FPA 1:1; 1:2; 4:1 and 6:1). Material produced using cheaper and simpler technology is also afforded the same legal protection as printed matter (FPA 1:5, 4:2). A freedom of broadly similar scope exists in respect of film, video, sound and other technical recordings (FLFE 1:1; 1:3, para graphs one and two and 3:8).
An in principle unrestricted right to broadcast sound radio and tele vision programmes exists only in respect of transmissions by landline. There is a restriction, however, in that the owner of a landline network may be obliged by law to permit the transmission of certain program mes in the interest of public accessibility to comprehensive information (the ‘must carry’ principle) and in the interest of network competition. Network owners are also under an obligation to take steps to secure influence for audiences over the choice of programmes, and television
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THE PRINCIPAL CONTENT OF THE FUNDAMENTAL LAWS AND THE RIKSDAG ACT
broadcasters are obliged to make programming accessible to people with functional impairments. Law may also provide for interventions against continued transmission of programming prominently featuring depictions of violence, pornographic images or agitation against a population group 3:1). Among other things, the freedom to transmit by landline means that public institutions can no longer require licences for the transmission of cable television. This circumstance, combined with modern satellite bro adcasting technology, has rendered it impossible in the long run to impose a monopoly or near monopoly and has thus limited the effects of a ban on commercial television.
A licence is still required for airwave broadcasting. Public institutions must try to ensure that radio frequencies are utilised so as to ensure the broadest possible freedom of expression and information (FLFE 3:2). The Swedish Broadcasting Authority is to be guided by this principle when it grants permits for local radio broadcasts. In addition, it must be possible for associations to obtain a permit to broadcast sound radio programmes in local radio broadcasts, provided bandwidth is available.
The principle of exclusivity Under both the FPA and the FLFE, constitutional protection means that public institutions are debarred from intervening against abuses of free dom of expression or complicity in such abuses other than in those cases and in the manner laid down in these two fundamental laws (FPA 1:3, FLFE 1:4). The FPA and the FLFE are the only laws that can be applied within each of these areas. This means that the Riksdag may not by means of ordinary law limit the freedom of the press or the freedom of expres sion as it is regulated in either of these fundamental laws.
Judicial practice has, however, established a line of demarcation between violations of the freedom of the press and offences committed using printed matter which are punishable on grounds other than abuse of the freedom of the press. Fraudulent or misleading messages in com mercial advertising, for example, are not regarded as violations of the freedom of the press, but are dealt with within the framework of market law. In addition, explicit rules in the FPA set out further exemptions from constitutional protection, with regard among other things to violations of copyright and the regulation of advertising for alcohol and tobacco, and of commercial provision of credit information (FPA 1:8–9, FLFE 1:12).
The long-running debate on child pornography resulted in the removal from fundamental law of what are now defined as pornografic images of individuals whose pubertal development is not complete or who are under eighteen years of age (FPA 1:10, FLFE 1:13). Child pornography offences are regulated solely under the Penal Code (16:10 a–b). Possessing and viewing such images has also been criminalised.
Ban on censorship and other obstacles Both the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression contain the essential feature of legislation on the freedom
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of expression, namely the explicit prohibition of censorship (FPA 1:2 and FLFE 1:3). The ban is directed at public authorities and other public bodi es, as is explicitly stated in the text of the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression but is also considered to apply under the Freedom of the Press Act. The Constitution does not in general preclude an individual responsible for the publication of an item from such actions as requesting a public authority to scrutinise an item prior to publication. The only ex ception to the ban on censorship under the fundamental laws is that provi sions may be decided on concerning the scrutiny and approval of moving pictures in films and video recordings, and in other technical recordings intended for public showing (FLFE 1:3, paragraph two). Digital cinema and other public playback from databases (FLFE 1:3, paragraph two) are also exceptions to the prohibition on censorship. Film censorship for adults was abolished in 2010.
News sources The Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression protect sources of news and other information in two separate sets of rules which deal respectively with the public nature of official do cuments, and the protection of sources. This protection entails both immu nity from criminal liability and the right to anonymity.
The constitutional rules on the public nature of official documents are contained in Chapter 2 of the Freedom of the Press Act. Documents held by a public authority or agency are official and public documents, regard less of whether they were received from others or drawn up by the body, and regardless of content. Automatic data records and other electronic records are also considered to be documents. In the case of documents drawn up by a public authority or agency, the general rule is that they be come official documents when they acquire final form. Drafts and propo sals also become official documents if they are archived after a matter has been settled. The provisions allow some scope for unofficial exchanges with a representative of a public institution, for example a minister. This is provided the document is intended for the recipient solely as the holder of another position (for instance, as a politician or trade union official) as distinct from an official representative at an authority or agency (FPA 2:3–9). An official document is public in principle, that is, it must be kept
available to anyone who wishes to examine it, normally in the original (FPA 2:12). Individuals also have the right to obtain a transcript or copy against payment and may also reproduce or copy a document using their own equipment. The Freedom of the Press Act opens up the possibility of introducing an obligation in law for public authorities and agencies to release documents in electronic form (FPA 2:13). The authority or agency may not, as a general principle, inquire into the identity or purpose of the applicant (FPA 2:14, paragraph three) when requesting a document. All questions relating to access to official documents must be dealt
with promptly (FPA 2:12–16).
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Official documents may be kept secret. The Freedom of the Press Act 2:2 lists the interests governing secrecy, and secrecy is not permitted other than in accordance with these principles. These interests are: • the security of the Realm or its relations with another sovereign state
or international organisation; • national fiscal policy, monetary policy or currency policy; • inspection, control and other supervisory operations carried out by
public authorities; • the prevention or prosecution of crime; • public economic interest; • protection of the personal and economic circumstances of private
individuals; and • the interest of preserving animal or plant species.
Exceptions from the principle of public access to official documents are to be specified in greater detail in a special law, the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act, or by way of exception in other laws and in such a case with reference to the Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act.
If a public authority or agency rejects an application for access to an official document, the decision may be appealed, normally to an adminis trative court of appeal. If the appeal is rejected in the first appellate court, the appellant can take the matter further to the Supreme Administrative Court, in which case leave to appeal is required.
The Public Access to Information and Secrecy Act prohibits on prin ciple the disclosure of information classified as secret. This prohibition applies whether the disclosure takes place orally, by the passing over of an official document, or in any other way. Thus both document secrecy and professional secrecy apply.
The immunity from liability of sources is established in the opening provisions of both FPA 1:1, paragraph three and the FLFE 1:2. In practical terms, the most important case is one in which a central or local govern ment official passes material covered by secrecy regulations to a compe tent recipient for publication (a newspaper, news agency etc.). The basic rule is that in this case the person who has communicated the information cannot then be convicted of violating his or her duty of confidentiality. Certain exceptions apply (see FPA 7:3 and FLFE 5:3). A similar immunity exists for individuals who procure information for publication.
The right to anonymity is protected in various ways. It is punishable by law for those engaged in the production of printed matter or of items protected under the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression to disclose the names of sources or authors wishing to remain anonymous. Exceptions from professional secrecy are permitted only in special cases, such as the examination of witnesses before a court of law, if the court finds that it is of exceptional importance, with regard to a public or pri
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vate interest, for information to be produced as to identity (FPA 3:3 and FLFE 2:3). In certain cases, the duty of confidentiality is waived in mil der circumstances. This is true of cases regarding violations of a duty of confidentiality where liability might arise under the exceptions to which reference has just been made (FPA 7:3 and FLFE 5:3). It is also prohibited for an authority or agency or other public body to trace the identity of an author, a publisher, or a person who has communicated the information. Nor may an authority or agency or other public body take action against anyone for using the freedom of the press or facilitating such use (FPA 3:4 and FLFE 2:4).
Liability rules An important element in the system of safeguards contained in the two fundamental laws is the design of the penal provisions. For most types of violation of the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression, the principle of double criminality applies. That means that the offence must be punishable under both fundamental law and ordinary law—in practice, the Penal Code—before it can give rise to liability in freedom of the press or freedom of expression proceedings (FPA 7:4, preamble and FLFE 5:1, paragraph one). The implication of this is that liability may be reduced by means of an amendment in ordinary law, but may not be increased without amendments to both fundamental law and ordinary law. Offences concerning the freedom of the press are listed in Chapter 7, Art. 4 of the FPA. FLFE 5:1 contains a reference to the provisions of the FPA and a description of the crime of unlawful portrayal of violence committed by means of moving pictures.
Most of the offences listed in the FPA are offences against the se curity of the Realm, while some are classifiable as violations of public order, namely, sedition, agitation against a population group, and un lawful portrayal of violence. The crime of agitation against a population group also comprises threats and contempt alluding to sexual orientation. Certain other offences involving threatening behaviour are punishable in law, even when committed by means of statements in media covered by the FPA and the FLFE. Only defamation and insulting language and behaviour come under the heading of offences against individuals, and, of these, only defamation, gross defamation, and defamation of a deceased individual are of any practical significance.
Ordinary law applies in respect of penal sanctions. Penalties for viola tions of the freedom of the press and freedom of expression may therefore be made more severe or mitigated without amending fundamental law. Damages also fall within the framework of ordinary law, but with the qualification that damages can arise only when the item considered to have caused the injury is found to be criminal (FPA Chapter 11 and FLFE Chapter 8). Liability for damages extends not only to the individual liable under penal law but also to the owner or publisher of the printed matter or the individual responsible for the programming in question.
The special liability rules (FPA Chapter 8 and FLFE Chapter 6) are based on the principle of individual responsibility referred to above. In
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the majority of cases, liability rests with the responsible editor appointed by the owner. This applies to periodicals (FPA 8:1), and to radio program mes and technical recordings such as films, videos and sound recordings (FLFE 6:1). Otherwise, liability generally rests with the author of the offending matter (FPA 8:5). To a certain extent, general rules of penal law apply with regard to broadcasting media, namely in relation to certain types of live broadcast (FLFE 1:8 and 6:1, paragraph two).
A necessary consequence of the principle of sole responsibility is that the individual responsible cannot escape liability by claiming that he or she had no knowledge of the content of an item or had not consented to its publication. The fundamental laws resolve this problem by means of a presumption which cannot be disproved. The responsible individual is presumed to have had knowledge of the content of the item and to have consented to its publication (FPA 8:12 and FLFE 6:4).
As a rule, only the Chancellor of Justice may institute legal procee dings in respect of violations of freedom of the press and freedom of expression (FPA 9:2 and FLFE 7:1). In the case of unlawful portrayal of violence, agitation against a population group and certain other offences committed in a technical recording, however, the Chancellor of Justice is permitted to delegate certain prosecution functions to a public prosecutor. Defamation and insulting language and behaviour come into the category of private prosecution. The Chancellor of Justice may institute procee dings in respect of such violations only if the plaintiff reports them for prosecution and proceedings are regarded as desirable on special grounds as a matter of general interest. Cases are tried before a court of general jurisdiction. Only about 25 district courts are competent to try these cases. The court hearing proper is preceded by examination before a jury of nine persons, unless this procedure is waived by both parties (this is the only instance of trial by jury in Swedish law). If the jury acquits, the procee dings are abandoned and acquittal is declared. If the jury finds against the defendant—for which at least six votes are required—the matter is tried in court. The court is free either to acquit or show greater leniency than the jury, but it may not show greater severity. The jury considers only the question of guilt. It is the task of the court to impose sentence and to assess damages where applicable. The ruling, regardless of whether it is a question of conviction or acquittal, may be appealed to a higher court. The higher court, however, is no more free than the district court to set aside the jury’s judgment in the question of guilt.
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Select bibliography
Aylott, Nicholas, “ ‘President Persson’ – How Did Sweden Get Him?” in Poguntke, Thomas and Webb, Paul (eds.), The Presidentialization of Politics. A Comparative study of Modern Democracies (2005).
Bergman, Torbjörn, Constitutional Rules and Party Goals in Coalition Formation (1995).
Bergman, Torbjörn, “Sweden: When Minority Cabinets are the Rule and Majority Coalitions the Exception” in Müller C. Wolfgang and Strøm, Kaare (eds.), Coalition Governments in Western Europe (2003).
Congleton, Roger D., Improving Democracy through Constitutional Reform: some Swedish Lessons (2003).
Hadenius, Stig, Swedish Politics during the 20th Century: Conflict and Consensus (1999).
Hadenius, Stig, The Riksdag in Focus: Swedish History in a Parliamentary Perspective (1997).
Hegeland, Hans, “The Swedish Parliament and EU Affairs: From Reluctant Player to Europeanized Actor” in Hefftler Claudia et al (eds.) The Palgrave Handbook of National Parliaments and the European Union (2015).
Isberg, Magnus, “Is Sweden going majoritarian?” in Persson, Thomas and Wiberg, Matti (eds.), Parliamentary Government in the Nordic Countries at a Crossroads (2011).
Larsson, Torbjörn & Bäck, Henry, Governing and Governance in Sweden (2008).
Larue, Thomas, “Post-Lisbon Subsidiarity Scrutiny and Nordic Parliamentary Government: Challenges and Opportunities of Europeanisation” in Persson, Thomas and Wiberg, Matti (eds.), Parliamentary Government in the Nordic Countries at a Crossroads (2011).
Metcalf, Michael F. (ed.), The Riksdag: a History of the Swedish Parliament (1987).
Nergelius, Joakim, “Constitutional Law” in Michael Bogdan (ed.), Swedish Law in the New Millennium, pp. 65–88 (2000).
Petersson, Olof, von Beyme, Klaus, Karvonen, Lauri, Nedelmann, Birgitta and Smith, Eivind, Democracy the Swedish Way. Report from the Democratic Audit of Sweden (1999).
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Pierre, Jon (ed.) The Oxford Handbook of Swedish Politics (2015).
Sainsbury, Diane, “Women’s political representation in Sweden: Discursive politics and institutional presence” in Krook Mona Lena and Childs Sarah (eds.), Women, Gender, and Politics: A Reader. pp. 97–105 (2010).
von Sydow, Björn, “Sweden’s Road to a Unicameral Parliament” in Longley, Lawrence D. and Olson, David M. (eds.), Two into One: the Politics and Processes of National Legislative Cameral Change, pp. 143–201 (1992).
Wieslander, Bengt, The Parliamentary Ombudsman in Sweden (1999).
Österdahl, Inger, “EU Law and Swedish Law on Public Access to Documents: Potential Contrasts” in Andenaes, Mats and Jareborg, Nils (eds.), Anglo-Swedish Studies in Law, pp. 237–262 (1999).
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The Instrument of Government
Chapter 1. Basic principles of the form of government Art. 1. All public power in Sweden proceeds from the people.
Swedish democracy is founded on the free formation of opinion and on universal and equal suffrage. It is realised through a representative and parliamentary form of government and through local self-government.
Public power is exercised under the law.
Art. 2. Public power shall be exercised with respect for the equal worth of all and the liberty and dignity of the individual.
The personal, economic and cultural welfare of the individual shall be fundamental aims of public activity. In particular, the public institutions shall secure the right to employment, housing and education, and shall promote social care and social security, as well as favourable conditions for good health.
The public institutions shall promote sustainable development leading to a good environment for present and future generations.
The public institutions shall promote the ideals of democracy as gui delines in all sectors of society and protect the private and family lives of the individual.
The public institutions shall promote the opportunity for all to attain participation and equality in society and for the rights of the child to be safeguarded. The public institutions shall combat discrimination of per sons on grounds of gender, colour, national or ethnic origin, linguistic or religious affiliation, functional disability, sexual orientation, age or other circumstance affecting the individual.
The opportunities of the Sami people and ethnic, linguistic and reli gious minorities to preserve and develop a cultural and social life of their own shall be promoted.
Art. 3. The Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression are the fundamental laws of the Realm.
Art. 4. The Riksdag is the foremost representative of the people. The Riksdag enacts the laws, determines State taxes and decides how
State funds shall be employed. The Riksdag shall examine the governme nt and administration of the Realm.
Art. 5. The King or Queen who occupies the throne of Sweden in accor dance with the Act of Succession shall be the Head of State.
Art. 6. The Government governs the Realm. It is accountable to the Riksdag.
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Art. 7. Sweden has local authorities at local and regional level.
Art. 8. Courts of law exist for the administration of justice, and central and local government administrative authorities exist for public adminis tration.
Art. 9. Courts of law, administrative authorities and others performing public administration functions shall pay regard in their work to the equa lity of all before the law and shall observe objectivity and impartiality.
Art. 10. Sweden is a member of the European Union. Sweden also par ticipates in international cooperation within the framework of the United Nations and the Council of Europe, and in other contexts.
Chapter 2. Fundamental rights and freedoms Freedom of opinion Art. 1. Everyone shall be guaranteed the following rights and freedoms in his or her relations with the public institutions:
1. freedom of expression: that is, the freedom to communicate informa tion and express thoughts, opinions and sentiments, whether orally, pictorially, in writing, or in any other way;
2. freedom of information: that is, the freedom to procure and receive information and otherwise acquaint oneself with the utterances of others;
3. freedom of assembly: that is, the freedom to organise or attend me etings for the purposes of information or the expression of opinion or for any other similar purpose, or for the purpose of presenting artistic work;
4. freedom to demonstrate: that is, the freedom to organise or take part in demonstrations in a public place;
5. freedom of association: that is, the freedom to associate with others for public or private purposes; and
6. freedom of worship: that is, the freedom to practise one’s religion alone or in the company of others.
The provisions of the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression shall apply concerning the freedom of the press and the corresponding freedom of expression on sound radio, televi sion and certain similar transmissions, public playback of material from a database, as well as in films, video recordings, sound recordings and other technical recordings.
The Freedom of the Press Act also contains provisions concerning the right of access to official documents.
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Art. 2. No one shall in his or her relations with the public institutions be coerced to divulge an opinion in a political, religious, cultural or other such connection. Nor may anyone in his or her relations with the public institutions be coerced to participate in a meeting for the shaping of opini on or a demonstration or other manifestation of opinion, or to belong to a political association, religious community or other association for opinion referred to in sentence one.
Art. 3. No record in a public register concerning a Swedish citizen may be based without his or her consent solely on his or her political opinions.
Physical integrity and freedom of movement Art. 4. There shall be no capital punishment.
Art. 5. Everyone shall be protected against corporal punishment. No one may be subjected to torture or medical intervention with the purpose of extorting or suppressing statements.
Art. 6. Everyone shall be protected in their relations with the public institutions against any physical violation also in cases other than cases under Articles 4 and 5. Everyone shall likewise be protected against body searches, house searches and other such invasions of privacy, against examination of mail or other confidential correspondence, and against eavesdropping and the recording of telephone conversations or other con fidential communications.
In addition to what is laid down in paragraph one, everyone shall be protected in their relations with the public institutions against significant invasions of their personal privacy, if these occur without their consent and involve the surveillance or systematic monitoring of the individual’s personal circumstances.
Art. 7. No Swedish citizen may be deported from or refused entry into the Realm.
No Swedish citizen who is domiciled in the Realm or who has previo usly been domiciled in the Realm may be deprived of his or her citizens hip. It may however be prescribed that children under the age of eighteen shall have the same nationality as their parents or as one parent.
Art. 8. Everyone shall be protected in their relations with the public insti tutions against deprivations of personal liberty. All Swedish citizens shall also in other respects be guaranteed freedom of movement within the Realm and freedom to depart the Realm.
Rule of law Art. 9. If a public authority other than a court of law has deprived an in dividual of his or her liberty on account of a criminal act or because he or
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she is suspected of having committed such an act, the individual shall be entitled to have the deprivation of liberty examined before a court of law without undue delay. This shall not, however, apply where the matter con cerns the transfer to Sweden of responsibility for executing a penal san ction involving deprivation of liberty according to a sentence in another state. Also those who for reasons other than those specified in paragraph
one, have been taken forcibly into custody, shall likewise be entitled to have the matter of custody examined before a court of law without un due delay. In such a case, examination before a tribunal shall be equated with examination before a court of law, provided the composition of the tribunal has been laid down in law and it is stipulated that the chair of the tribunal shall be currently, or shall have been previously, a permanent salaried judge.
If examination has not been referred to an authority which is compe tent under paragraph one or two, such examination shall be undertaken by a court of general jurisdiction.
Art. 10. No one may be sentenced to a penalty or penal sanction for an act which was not subject to a penal sanction at the time it was committed. Nor may anyone be sentenced to a penal sanction which is more severe than that which was in force when the act was committed. The provisions laid down here with respect to penal sanctions also apply to forfeiture and other special legal effects of crime.
No taxes or charges due the State may be imposed except inasmuch as this follows from provisions which were in force when the circumstan ce arose which occasioned the liability for the tax or charge. Should the Riksdag find that special reasons so warrant, it may however lay down in law that taxes or charges due the State shall be imposed even though no such act had entered into force when the aforementioned circumstan ce arose, provided the Government, or a committee of the Riksdag, had submitted a proposal to this effect to the Riksdag at the time concerned. A written communication from the Government to the Riksdag announcing the forthcoming introduction of such a proposal is equated with a formal proposal. The Riksdag may furthermore prescribe that exceptions shall be made to the provisions of sentence one if it considers that this is warran ted on special grounds connected with war, the danger of war, or grave economic crisis.
Art. 11. No court of law may be established on account of an act already committed, or for a particular dispute or otherwise for a particular case.
Legal proceedings shall be carried out fairly and within a reasonable period of time. Proceedings in courts of law shall be open to the public.
Protection against discrimination Art. 12. No act of law or other provision may imply the unfavourable treatment of anyone because they belong to a minority group by reason of
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ethnic origin, colour, or other similar circumstances or on account of their sexual orientation.
Art. 13. No act of law or other provision may imply the unfavourable treatment of anyone on grounds of gender, unless the provision forms part of efforts to promote equality between men and women or relates to com pulsory military service or other equivalent official duties.
Industrial action Art. 14. A trade union or an employer or employers’ association shall be entitled to take industrial action unless otherwise provided in an act of law or under an agreement.
Protection of property and the right of public access Art. 15. The property of every individual shall be so guaranteed that no one may be compelled by expropriation or other such disposition to sur render property to the public institutions or to a private subject, or tolerate restriction by the public institutions of the use of land or buildings, other than where necessary to satisfy pressing public interests.
A person who is compelled to surrender property by expropriation or other such disposition shall be guaranteed full compensation for his or her loss. Compensation shall also be guaranteed to a person whose use of land or buildings is restricted by the public institutions in such a manner that ongoing land use in the affected part of the property is substantially impaired, or injury results which is significant in relation to the value of that part of the property. Compensation shall be determined according to principles laid down in law.
In the case of limitations on the use of land or buildings on grounds of protection of human health or the environment, or on grounds of safety, however, the rules laid down in law apply in the matter of entitlement to compensation.
Everyone shall have access to the natural environment in accordance with the right of public access, notwithstanding the above provisions.
Copyright Art. 16. Authors, artists and photographers shall own the rights to their works in accordance with rules laid down in law.
Freedom of trade Art. 17. Limitations affecting the right to trade or practise a profession may be introduced only in order to protect pressing public interests and never solely in order to further the economic interests of a particular per son or enterprise.
The right of the Sami population to practise reindeer husbandry is regulated in law.
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Education and research Art. 18. All children covered by compulsory schooling shall be entitled to a free basic education in the public education system. The public institu tions shall be responsible also for the provision of higher education.
The freedom of research is protected according to rules laid down in law.
The European Convention Art. 19. No act of law or other provision may be adopted which contra venes Sweden’s undertakings under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
Conditions for limiting rights and freedoms Art. 20. To the extent provided for in Articles 21 to 24, the following rights and freedoms may be limited in law:
1. freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of assembly, freedom to demonstrate and freedom of association (Article 1, points 1 to 5);
2. protection against any physical violation in cases other than cases un der Articles 4 and 5, against body searches, house searches and other such invasions of privacy, against violations of confidential items of mail or communications and otherwise against violations involving surveillance and monitoring of the individual’s personal circumstan ces (Article 6);
3. freedom of movement (Article 8); and 4. public court proceedings (Article 11, paragraph two, sentence two).
With authority in law, the rights and freedoms referred to in paragraph one may be limited by other statute in cases under Chapter 8, Article 5, and in respect of prohibition of the disclosure of matters which have come to a person’s knowledge in the performance of public or official duties. Freedom of assembly and freedom to demonstrate may similarly be limi ted also in cases under Article 24, paragraph one, sentence two.
Art. 21. The limitations referred to in Article 20 may be imposed only to satisfy a purpose acceptable in a democratic society. The limitation must never go beyond what is necessary with regard to the purpose which oc casioned it, nor may it be carried so far as to constitute a threat to the free shaping of opinion as one of the fundaments of democracy. No limitation may be imposed solely on grounds of a political, religious, cultural or other such opinion.
Art. 22. A draft law under Article 20 shall be held in abeyance, unless re jected by the Riksdag, for a minimum of twelve months from the date on which the first Riksdag committee report on the proposal was submitted
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to the Chamber, if so moved by at least ten members. The Riksdag may, however, adopt the proposal directly if it has the support of at least five sixths of those voting.
Paragraph one shall not apply to any draft law prolonging the life of a law for a period not exceeding two years. Nor shall it apply to any draft law concerned only with:
1. prohibition of the disclosure of matters which have come to a per son’s knowledge in the performance of public or official duties, where secrecy is called for with regard to interests under Chapter 2, Article 2 of the Freedom of the Press Act;
2. house searches and similar invasions of privacy; or 3. deprivation of liberty as a penal sanction for a specific act. The
Committee on the Constitution determines on behalf of the Riksdag whether paragraph one applies in respect of a particular draft law.
Art. 23. Freedom of expression and freedom of information may be limi ted with regard to the security of the Realm, the national supply of goods, public order and public safety, the good repute of the individual, the sanc tity of private life, and the prevention and prosecution of crime. Freedom of expression may also be limited in business activities. Freedom of ex pression and freedom of information may otherwise be limited only where particularly important grounds so warrant.
In judging what limitations may be introduced in accordance with paragraph one, particular attention shall be paid to the importance of the widest possible freedom of expression and freedom of information in political, religious, professional, scientific and cultural matters.
The adoption of provisions which regulate in more detail a particular manner of disseminating or receiving information, without regard to its content, shall not be deemed a limitation of the freedom of expression or the freedom of information.
Art. 24. Freedom of assembly and freedom to demonstrate may be limi ted in the interests of preserving public order and public safety at a me eting or demonstration, or with regard to the circulation of traffic. These freedoms may otherwise be limited only with regard to the security of the Realm or in order to combat an epidemic.
Freedom of association may be limited only in respect of organisations whose activities are of a military or quasi-military nature, or constitute persecution of a population group on grounds of ethnic origin, colour, or other such conditions.
Art. 25. For foreign nationals within the Realm, special limitations may be introduced to the following rights and freedoms:
1. freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of assem bly, freedom to demonstrate, freedom of association and freedom of worship (Article 1, paragraph one);
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2. protection against coercion to divulge an opinion (Article 2, sentence one);
3. protection against physical violations also in cases other than cases under Articles 4 and 5, against body searches, house searches and other such invasions of privacy, against violations of confidential items of mail or communications and otherwise against violations involving surveillance and monitoring of the individual’s personal circumstances (Article 6);
4. protection against deprivation of liberty (Article 8, sentence one); 5. the right to have a deprivation of liberty other than a deprivation of li
berty on account of a criminal act or on suspicion of having commit ted such an act examined before a court of law (Article 9, paragraphs two and three);
6. public court proceedings (Article 11, paragraph two, sentence two); 7. authors’, artists’ and photographers’ rights to their works (Article 16); 8. the right to trade or practise a profession (Article 17); 9. the right to freedom of research (Article 18, paragraph two); and 10. protection against violations on grounds of an opinion (Article 21,
sentence three).
The provisions of Article 22, paragraph one, paragraph two, sentence one and paragraph three shall apply with respect to the special limitations referred to in paragraph one.
Chapter 3. The Riksdag Formation and composition of the Riksdag Art. 1. The Riksdag is appointed by means of free, secret and direct elec tions.
Voting in such elections is by party, with an option for the voter to express a personal preference vote.
Art. 2. The Riksdag consists of a single chamber comprising three hund red and forty-nine members. Alternates shall be appointed for members.
Ordinary elections Art. 3. Ordinary elections to the Riksdag are held every four years.
Right to vote and eligibility to stand for election Art. 4. Every Swedish citizen who is currently domiciled within the Realm or who has ever been domiciled within the Realm, and who has reached the age of eighteen, is entitled to vote in an election to the Riksdag.
Only a person who is entitled to vote may be a member or alternate member of the Riksdag.
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The question of whether a person has the right to vote is determined on the basis of an electoral roll drawn up prior to the election.
Constituencies Art. 5. The Realm is divided up into constituencies for the purpose of elections to the Riksdag.
Distribution of seats among constituencies Art. 6. Of the seats in the Riksdag, 310 are fixed constituency seats and 39 are adjustment seats. The fixed constituency seats are distributed among the constituencies
on the basis of a calculation of the relationship between the number of persons entitled to vote in each constituency, and the total number of per sons entitled to vote throughout the whole of the Realm. The distribution of seats among the constituencies is determined for four years at a time.
Distribution of seats among parties Art. 7. The seats are distributed among the parties which have notified their participation in the election in accordance with rules laid down in law.
Only parties which receive at least four per cent of the votes cast throughout the the Realm may share in the distribution of seats. A party receiving fewer votes, however, may participate in the distribution of the fixed constituency seats in a constituency in which it receives at least twelve per cent of the votes cast.
Art. 8. The fixed constituency seats in each constituency are distributed proportionately among the parties on the basis of the election result in that constituency. If, in the distribution of the fixed constituency seats under paragraph
one, a party obtains seats in the whole of the Realm which exceed the number corresponding to the proportional representation of that party in the Riksdag, then the surplus seats shall be returned and distributed among the other parties in accordance with rules laid down in law.
The adjustment seats are distributed among the parties in such a way that the distribution of all the seats in the Riksdag, other than those fixed constituency seats which have been allocated to a party polling less than four per cent of the national vote, is in proportion to the total number of votes cast throughout the Realm for the parties participating in the distri bution of seats. If, in the distribution of the fixed constituency seats, a par ty obtains seats which equal the number corresponding to the proportional representation of that party in the Riksdag, then that party and the fixed constituency seats which it has obtained are disregarded in distributing the adjustment seats. The adjustment seats are allocated to constituencies after they have been distributed among the parties.
The odd-number method is used to distribute the seats among the par ties, with the first divisor adjusted to 1.2.
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Art. 9. One member is appointed for each seat a party obtains, together with an alternate for that member.
Electoral period Art. 10. Each election is valid for the period from the date on which the newly-elected Riksdag convenes to the date on which the Riksdag elected next thereafter convenes. The newly-elected Riksdag convenes on the fifteenth day following
election day but no sooner than the fourth day after the result of the elec tion has been declared.
Extraordinary elections Art. 11. The Government may decide that an extraordinary election to the Riksdag shall be held between ordinary elections. An extraordinary elec tion is held within three months from the decision.
After an election to the Riksdag has been held, the Government may not hold an extraordinary election until three months from the date on which the newly-elected Riksdag first convened. Neither may the Government decide to hold an extraordinary election while ministers re main at their posts, after all have been formally discharged, pending ass umption of office by a new Government.
Rules concerning an extraordinary election in a particular case are laid down in Chapter 6, Article 5.
Appeals against election results Art. 12. Appeals against elections to the Riksdag shall be lodged with an Election Review Board appointed by the Riksdag. There is no right of appeal against a decision of the Board.
A person who has been elected a member of the Riksdag exercises his or her mandate even if the election result has been appealed. If the result of the election is revised, a new member takes his or her seat immediately after the revised result has been declared. This applies in a similar manner to alternate members.
The Election Review Board consists of a chair, who is currently, or has been previously, a permanent salaried judge and who may not be a member of the Riksdag, and six other members. The members are elected after each ordinary election, as soon as the result of the election becomes final, and serve until a new election for the Board is held. The chair is elected separately.
Further rules Art. 13. Further rules concerning matters under Articles 3 to 12 and con cerning the appointment of alternates for members of the Riksdag are laid down in the Riksdag Act or elsewhere in law.
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Chapter 4. The work of the Riksdag Riksdag session Art. 1. The Riksdag convenes in session every year. Sessions are held in Stockholm, unless otherwise determined by the Riksdag or the Speaker, with regard to the liberty or safety of parliament.
The Speaker Art. 2. The Riksdag elects a Speaker and First, Second, and Third Deputy Speakers from among its members for each electoral period.
Riksdag committees Art. 3. The Riksdag elects committees from among its members in ac cordance with rules laid down in the Riksdag Act. These shall include a Committee on the Constitution and a Committee on Finance.
Right to introduce proposals Art. 4. The Government and every member of the Riksdag has the right to introduce proposals on any matter coming within the jurisdiction of the Riksdag, in accordance with provisions laid down in the Riksdag Act, unless otherwise provided in the present Instrument of Government.
Preparation of matters Art. 5. Any matter raised by the Government or by a member of the Riksdag shall be prepared by a committee before it is settled, unless otherwise provided in the present Instrument of Government.
Settlement of matters Art. 6. When a matter comes up for decision in the Chamber, every mem ber of the Riksdag and every minister has the right to speak in accordance with more detailed rules laid down in the Riksdag Act. Rules concerning grounds for disqualification are also laid down in the
Riksdag Act.
Art. 7. When a vote is taken in the Chamber, the opinion supported by more than half of those voting constitutes the decision of the Riksdag, unless otherwise provided in the present Instrument of Government or, in the case of matters relating to Riksdag procedure, in a principal provision of the Riksdag Act. Rules concerning the procedure to be followed in the event of a tied vote are laid down in the Riksdag Act.
Follow-up and evaluation Art. 8. Each committee follows up and evaluates decisions of the Riksdag within the committee’s subject area.
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Openness in the Chamber Art. 9. Meetings of the Chamber are open to the public. A meeting may, nevertheless, be held behind closed doors in accordance with rules laid down in the Riksdag Act.
Members’ legal status Art. 10. Members of the Riksdag or alternates for such members may exercise their mandate as members notwithstanding any official duty or other similar obligation.
Art. 11. Members of the Riksdag or alternates for such members may not resign their mandate without the Riksdag’s consent.
Where there are grounds, the Election Review Board shall examine on its own initiative whether a particular member or an alternate is eligible under Chapter 3, Article 4, paragraph two. A person pronounced to be ineligible is thereby deprived of his or her mandate.
Members or alternates may be deprived of their mandate in cases other than cases under paragraph two only if they have proved themselves ma nifestly unfit to hold a mandate by reason of a criminal act. A decision in such a case shall be taken by a court of law.
Art. 12. Legal proceedings may not be initiated against a person who holds a mandate as a member of the Riksdag, or who has held such a mandate, on account of a statement or an act made in the exercise of his or her mandate, unless the Riksdag has given its consent thereto in a deci sion supported by at least five sixths of those voting.
Nor may such a person be deprived of his or her liberty, or restricted from travelling within the Realm, on account of an act or statement made in the exercise of his or her mandate, unless the Riksdag has given such consent thereto.
If, in any other case, a member of the Riksdag is suspected of having committed a criminal act, the relevant legal provisions concerning app rehension, arrest or detention are applied only if he or she admits guilt or was caught in the act, or the minimum penalty for the offence is imprison ment for two years.
Art. 13. During such time as a member is acting as Speaker of the Riksdag or is a member of the Government, his or her mandate as a mem ber shall be exercised by an alternate. The Riksdag may stipulate in the Riksdag Act that an alternate shall replace a member when he or she is on leave of absence.
The rules laid down in Articles 10 and 12, paragraph one also apply to the Speaker and the Speaker’s mandate.
The rules relating to a member of the Riksdag apply also to an alterna te exercising a mandate as a member.
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Further rules Art. 14. Further rules concerning the work of the Riksdag are laid down in the Riksdag Act.
Chapter 5. The Head of State Art. 1. Chapter 1, Article 5 states that the King or Queen who occupies the throne of Sweden in accordance with the Act of Succession is the Head of State.
Art. 2. Only a person who is a Swedish citizen and who has reached the age of eighteen may serve as Head of State. The Head of State may not at the same time be a minister, hold the office of Speaker or serve as a mem ber of the Riksdag.
Art. 3. The Head of State shall be kept informed by the Prime Minister concerning the affairs of the Realm. The Government convenes as Council of State under the chairmanship of the Head of State when requi red.
The Head of State shall consult the Prime Minister before undertaking travel abroad.
Art. 4. If the King or Queen who is Head of State is not in a position to perform his or her duties, the member of the Royal House in line under the order of succession and able to do so shall assume and perform the duties of Head of State in the capacity of Regent ad interim.
Art. 5. Should the Royal House become extinct, the Riksdag elects a Regent to perform the duties of Head of State until further notice. The Riksdag elects a Deputy Regent at the same time.
The same applies if the King or Queen who is Head of State dies or abdicates and the heir to the throne has not yet reached the age of eigh teen.
Art. 6. If the King or Queen who is Head of State has been prevented for six consecutive months from performing his or her duties, or has failed to perform his or her duties, the Government shall notify the matter to the Riksdag. The Riksdag decides whether the King or Queen shall be de emed to have abdicated.
Art. 7. The Riksdag may elect a person to serve as Regent ad interim under a Government order when no one competent under Article 4 or 5 is in a position to serve.
The Speaker, or, in his or her absence, one of the Deputy Speakers, serves as Regent ad interim under a Government order when no other competent person is in a position to serve.
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Art. 8. The King or Queen who is Head of State cannot be prosecuted for his or her actions. Nor can a Regent be prosecuted for his or her actions as Head of State.
Chapter 6. The Government Composition of the Government Art. 1. The Government consists of the Prime Minister and other ministers.
The Prime Minister is appointed in accordance with the rules laid down in Articles 4 to 6. The Prime Minister appoints the other ministers.
Art. 2. The ministers must be Swedish citizens. A minister may not have any other employment. Neither may he or she hold any appointment or engage in any activity which might impair public confidence in him or her.
Vote on the Prime Minister after an election Art. 3. No later than two weeks after it has convened, a newly-elected Riksdag shall determine by means of a vote whether the Prime Minister has sufficient support in the Riksdag. If more than half of the members of the Riksdag vote no, the Prime Minister shall be discharged. No vote shall be held if the Prime Minister has already been discharged.
Formation of the Government Art. 4. When a Prime Minister is to be appointed, the Speaker summons for consultation representatives from each party group in the Riksdag. The Speaker confers with the Deputy Speakers before presenting a proposal to the Riksdag. The Riksdag shall vote on the proposal within four days, without prior preparation in committee. If more than half the members of the Riksdag vote against the proposal, it is rejected. In any other case, it is adopted.
Art. 5. If the Riksdag rejects the Speaker’s proposal, the procedure laid down in Article 4 is repeated. If the Riksdag rejects the Speaker’s propo sal four times, the procedure for appointing a Prime Minister is abando ned and resumed only after an election to the Riksdag has been held. If no ordinary election is due in any case to be held within three months, an extraordinary election shall be held within the same space of time.
Art. 6. When the Riksdag has approved a proposal for a new Prime Minister, the Prime Minister shall inform the Riksdag as soon as possible of the names of the ministers. Government changes hands thereafter at a Council of State before the Head of State or, in his or her absence, befo re the Speaker. The Speaker shall always be summoned to attend such a Council.
The Speaker issues a letter of appointment for the Prime Minister on the Riksdag’s behalf.
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Discharge of the Prime Minister or a minister Art. 7. If the Riksdag declares that the Prime Minister, or a member of his or her Government, no longer has its confidence, the Speaker shall discharge the minister concerned. However, if the Government is in a po sition to order an extraordinary election to the Riksdag and does so within one week from a declaration of no confidence, the minister shall not be discharged.
Rules concerning discharge of the Prime Minister following a vote on the Prime Minister after an election are laid down in Article 3.
Art. 8. A minister shall be discharged if he or she so requests; in such a case the Prime Minister is discharged by the Speaker, and any other mi nister by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister may also discharge any other minister in other circumstances.
Art. 9. If the Prime Minister is discharged or dies, the Speaker shall di scharge the other ministers.
Deputy for the Prime Minister Art. 10. The Prime Minister may appoint one of the other ministers to deputise for him or her in case of absence. If no such deputy has been appointed, or if he or she is also unable to perform the duties of Prime Minister, these duties are assumed by the minister among those currently in office who has been a minister longest. When two or more ministers have been ministers for an equal period of time, the minister who is senior in age has precedence.
Caretaker government Art. 11. If all the members of the Government have been discharged, they remain at their posts until a new Government has assumed office. If a mi nister other than the Prime Minister has been discharged at his or her own request, he or she remains at his or her post until a successor has assumed office, should the Prime Minister so request.
Absence of the Speaker Art. 12. In the absence of the Speaker, a Deputy Speaker shall assume the duties of the Speaker under the present Chapter.
Chapter 7. The work of the Government The Government Offices and their duties Art. 1. Government offices shall exist for the preparation of Government business and to assist the Government and ministers in their other duties. The Government Offices include ministries for different areas of activity. The Government divides business between ministries. The Prime Minister appoints the heads of the ministries from among the ministers.
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Preparation of business
Art. 2. In preparing Government business the necessary information and opinions shall be obtained from the public authorities concerned. Information and opinions shall be obtained from local authorities as ne cessary. Organisations and individuals shall also be given an opportunity to express an opinion as necessary.
Art. 3. Government business is settled by the Government at Government meetings. Government business relating to the implementation within the armed forces of statutes or special Government decisions may however be approved by the head of the ministry responsible for such matters, under the supervision of the Prime Minister and to the extent laid down in law.
Art. 4. The Prime Minister summons the other ministers to attend Government meetings and presides at such meetings. A Government me eting shall be attended by at least five members.
Art. 5. At a Government meeting, the head of a ministry presents busi ness belonging to his or her ministry. The Prime Minister may, however, prescribe that a matter or group of matters belonging to a particular mi nistry shall be presented by a minister other than the head of the ministry concerned.
Records of meetings and dissenting opinions
Art. 6. A record shall be kept of Government meetings. Dissenting opini ons shall be entered in the record.
Art. 7. Statutes, proposals to the Riksdag, and other Government deci sions to be dispatched are only valid when signed by the Prime Minister or another minister on behalf of the Government. The Government may, however, prescribe in an ordinance that an official may, in a particular case, sign a Government decision to be dispatched.
Chapter 8. Acts of law and other provisions Art. 1. Provisions are adopted by the Riksdag by means of an act of law and by the Government by means of an ordinance. The Riksdag or the Government may also authorise other authorities besides the Government and local authorities to adopt provisions. Authorisation to adopt provi sions shall always be laid down in an act of law or an ordinance.
Provisions adopted by means of an act of law Art. 2. Provisions concerning the following shall be adopted by means of an act of law:
1. the personal status or mutual personal and economic relations of indi viduals;
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2. relations between individuals and the public institutions which relate to the obligations of individuals, or which otherwise encroach on their personal or economic circumstances;
3. principles governing the organisation and working procedures of local authorities and local taxation, as well as the competence of local authorities in other respects, and their responsibilities;
4. religious communities and the principles on which the Church of Sweden as a religious community is based;
5. the holding of a consultative referendum throughout the Realm and the procedure for holding a referendum on a matter of fundamental law; and
6. elections to the European Parliament.
It also follows from other rules laid down in the present Instrument of Government and other fundamental laws that provisions with a certain content shall be adopted by means of an act of law.
Provisions adopted by the Government Art. 3. The Riksdag may authorise the Government to adopt provisions in accordance with Article 2, paragraph one, points 2 and 3. The provisions may not, however, relate to:
1. legal effects of criminal acts other than the imposition of fines; 2. taxes other than customs duties on the importation of goods; or 3. bankruptcy or enforcement.
The Riksdag may prescribe legal effects other than fines for contraven tions of provisions laid down by the Government in an act of law granting authority under paragraph one.
Art. 4. The Riksdag may authorise the Government to adopt provisions in accordance with Article 2, paragraph one, points 1 to 3, concerning the granting of respites for the meeting of obligations.
Art. 5. In an act of law, the Riksdag may authorise the Government to adopt provisions on:
1. when the act of law shall come into force; 2. when parts of the law shall come into force or cease to apply; and 3. application of the law in relation to another country or an intergo
vernmental organisation.
Art. 6. Provisions adopted by the Government by virtue of authorisation under the present Instrument of Government shall be submitted to the Riksdag for examination, should the Riksdag so decide.
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Art. 7. In addition to what follows from Articles 3 to 5, the Government may adopt:
1. provisions relating to the implementation of laws; and 2. provisions which do not require adoption by the Riksdag under fun
damental law.
The Government may not by virtue of paragraph one adopt provisions which relate to the Riksdag or authorities under the Riksdag. Nor may the Government by virtue of paragraph one, point 2, adopt provisions which relate to local taxation.
Art. 8. The powers conferred on the Government to adopt provisions in a particular matter do not preclude the Riksdag from adopting provisions in the same matter in an act of law.
Provisions adopted by bodies other than the Riksdag and the Government Art. 9. The Riksdag may authorise a local authority to adopt provisions in accordance with Article 2, paragraph one, point 2 if the provisions con cern:
1. charges; or 2. taxes designed to regulate traffic conditions in the local authority.
Art. 10. Where, under the present Chapter, the Riksdag authorises the Government to adopt provisions in a particular matter, the Riksdag may also authorise the Government to delegate the power to adopt regulations in the matter to an administrative authority or a local authority.
Art. 11. The Government may authorise an authority under the Government or an authority under the Riksdag to adopt provisions in ac cordance with Article 7. Such an authorisation to an authority under the Riksdag may not, however, relate to the internal affairs of the Riksdag or its authorities.
Art. 12. Provisions adopted by an authority under the Government by virtue of an authorisation in accordance with Article 10 or 11 shall be submitted to the Government for examination, should the Government so decide.
Art. 13. The Riksdag may direct the Riksbank in an act of law to adopt provisions coming within its remit under Chapter 9 and concerning its duty to promote a secure and efficient payments system. The Riksdag may authorise an authority under the Riksdag to adopt provisions that relate to the internal affairs of the Riksdag or its authorities.
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Enactment of fundamental law and the Riksdag Act Art. 14. Fundamental law is enacted by means of two decisions of identi cal wording. With the first decision, the proposal for the enactment of fun damental law is adopted as being held in abeyance. The second decision may not be taken until elections to the Riksdag have been held throughout the Realm following the first decision, and the newly-elected Riksdag has convened. At least nine months shall elapse between the first submission of the matter to the Chamber of the Riksdag and the date of the election, unless the Committee on the Constitution grants an exception. Such a decision shall be taken no later than the committee stage, and at least five sixths of the members must vote in favour of the decision.
Art. 15. The Riksdag may not adopt as a decision held in abeyance over an election a proposal for the enactment of fundamental law which conflicts with any other proposal concerning fundamental law currently being held in abeyance, unless at the same time it rejects the proposal first adopted.
Art. 16. A referendum shall be held on a proposal concerning fundamen tal law which is held in abeyance over an election, on a motion to this effect by at least one tenth of the members, provided at least one third of the members vote in favour of the motion. Such a motion must be put forward within fifteen days from the date on which the Riksdag adopted the proposal to be held in abeyance. The motion shall not be referred for preparation in committee.
The referendum shall be held simultaneously with the election referred to in Article 14. In the referendum, all those entitled to vote in the election are entitled to state whether or not they accept the proposal on funda mental law which is being held in abeyance. The proposal is rejected if a majority of those taking part in the referendum vote against it, and if the number of those voting against exceeds half the number of those who registered a valid vote in the election. In other cases the proposal goes for ward to the Riksdag for final consideration.
Art. 17. The Riksdag Act is enacted as prescribed in Article 14, sentences one to three, and Article 15. It may also be enacted by means of a single decision, provided at least three fourths of those voting and more than half the members of the Riksdag vote in favour of the decision.
Supplementary provisions of the Riksdag Act are however adopted in the same manner as ordinary law. The provisions of paragraph one also apply to the adoption of an act of law under Article 2, paragraph one, point 4.
Amendment or abrogation of a law Art. 18. No law may be amended or abrogated other than by an act of law. Articles 14 to 17 apply with respect to amendment or abrogation of fundamental law or of the Riksdag Act. Article 17, paragraph one is app lied in the case of amendment or abrogation of an act of law under Article 2, paragraph one, point 4.
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Promulgation and publication of provisions Art. 19. An act of law which has been adopted shall be promulgated by the Government as soon as possible. An act of law containing provisions relating to the Riksdag or authorities under the Riksdag which is not to be incorporated in fundamental law or in the Riksdag Act, may however be promulgated by the Riksdag. Acts of law shall be published as soon as possible. The same applies to ordinances, unless otherwise laid down in law.
Council on Legislation Art. 20. There shall be a Council on Legislation which includes justi ces, or, where necessary, former justices of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court, to pronounce an opinion on draft legisla tion. More detailed rules concerning the composition and working proce dures of the Council on Legislation are laid down in law.
Art. 21. The opinion of the Council on Legislation is obtained by the Government or, under more detailed rules laid down in the Riksdag Act, by a committee of the Riksdag. The opinion of the Council on Legislation shall be obtained before the Riksdag takes a decision on:
1. fundamental law relating to the freedom of the press or the corres ponding freedom of expression on sound radio, television and certain similar transmissions, public performances taken from a database and technical recordings;
2. an act of law limiting the right of access to official documents; 3. an act of law under Chapter 2, Articles 14 to 16, 20, or 25; 4. an act of law relating to the fully or partially automatic processing of
personal data; 5. an act of law relating to local taxation or an act of law involving the
obligations of local authorities; an act of law under Article 2, para graph one, points 1 or 2 or an act of law under Chapter 11 or 12; or
6. an act of law amending or abrogating an act of law under Articles 1 to 6.
The provisions under paragraph two do not however apply if the Council on Legislation’s examination would lack significance due to the nature of the matter, or would delay the handling of legislation in such a way that serious detriment would result.
If the Government submits a proposal to the Riksdag for the adoption of an act of law in any matter referred to in paragraph two, and there has been no prior consultation of the Council on Legislation, the Government shall at the same time inform the Riksdag of the reason for the omission. Failure to obtain the opinion of the Council on Legislation on a draft law never constitutes an obstacle to application of the law.
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Art. 22. The Council shall examine: 1. the manner in which the draft law relates to the fundamental laws and
the legal system in general; 2. the manner in which the various provisions of the draft law relate to
one another; 3. the manner in which the draft law relates to the requirements of the
rule of law; 4. whether the draft law is so framed that the resulting act of law may
be expected to satisfy the stated purposes of the proposed law; and 5. any problems that may arise in applying the act of law.
Chapter 9. Financial power
Decisions concerning State revenue and expenditure Art. 1. The Riksdag determines taxes and charges due the State, and app roves the national budget.
Draft national budget Art. 2. The Government submits a budget bill to the Riksdag.
Decisions concerning the national budget Art. 3. The Riksdag approves a national budget for the following budget year or, if special reasons so warrant, for some other budgetary period. In this connection, the Riksdag determines estimates of State revenue and appropriations for specific purposes.
The Riksdag may decide that a particular appropriation shall be made for a period other than the budgetary period. The Riksdag may decide that State revenue may be used for specific purposes by means other than a decision concerning an appropriation.
Art. 4. During the budgetary period, the Riksdag may decide to revise its State revenue estimates, alter appropriations already approved, or approve new appropriations.
Art. 5. If the national budget is not approved before the start of the budgetary period, the Riksdag makes appropriations as required to co ver the period until a budget is adopted. The Riksdag may authorise the Committee on Finance to make such a decision on behalf of the Riksdag.
If, under paragraph one, the Riksdag has not approved appropriations for a specific purpose, the most recent national budget, with amendments consistent with other decisions made by the Riksdag, shall apply until these appropriations have been approved.
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Guideline decisions Art. 6. The Riksdag may determine guidelines for activities of the State also covering a period exceeding the forthcoming budgetary period.
Use of appropriations and revenue Art. 7. Appropriations and revenue may not be used in ways not approved by the Riksdag.
State assets and obligations Art. 8. State assets are at the disposal of and administered by the Government, in so far as these are not intended for authorities under the Riksdag, or have been set aside in law for special administration. The Government may not take up loans or otherwise assume financial
obligations on behalf of the State unless authorised by the Riksdag.
Art. 9. The Riksdag decides the principles for the administration and dis position of State assets. The Riksdag may also decide that measures of a particular nature may not be taken without its consent.
State annual report Art. 10. After the end of the budgetary period, the Government submits an annual report for the State to the Riksdag.
Further provisions concerning the national budget Art. 11. Further provisions concerning the competence and responsibili ties of the Riksdag and the Government in respect of the national budget are laid down in the Riksdag Act and separate legislation.
Currency policy Art. 12. The Government is responsible for general currency policy mat ters. Other provisions concerning currency policy are laid down in law.
The Riksbank Art. 13. The Riksbank is the central bank of the Realm and an authority under the Riksdag. The Riksbank is responsible for monetary policy. No public authority may determine how the Riksbank shall decide in matters of monetary policy.
The Riksbank has a General Council comprising eleven members, who are elected by the Riksdag. The Riksbank is under the direction of an Executive Board appointed by the General Council.
The Riksdag examines whether the members of the General Council and the Executive Board shall be granted discharge from liability. If the Riksdag refuses a member of the General Council discharge from liabi lity he or she is thus severed from his or her appointment. The General
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Council may only dismiss a member of the Executive Board if he or she no longer fulfils the requirements laid down for the performance of his or her duties, or is guilty of gross negligence.
Provisions concerning elections to the General Council and concer ning the management and activities of the Riksbank are laid down in law.
Art. 14. The Riksbank alone has the right to issue banknotes and coins. Further provisions concerning the monetary and payments systems are laid down in law.
Chapter 10. International relations Government’s authority to conclude international agree- ments Art. 1. Agreements with other states or with international organisations are concluded by the Government.
Art. 2. The Government may instruct an administrative authority to con clude an international agreement in a matter in which the agreement does not require the participation of the Riksdag or the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs.
Riksdag approval of international agreements Art. 3. The Riksdag’s approval is required before the Government conclu des an international agreement which is binding upon the Realm:
1. if the agreement requires the amendment or abrogation of an act of law or the enactment of a new act of law;
2. or if it otherwise concerns a matter to be decided by the Riksdag.
If, in a case under paragraph one, points 1 or 2, a special procedure has been prescribed for the required Riksdag decision, the same procedure shall be applied in approving the agreement.
The Riksdag’s approval is also required in cases other than those under paragraph one, before the Government concludes an international agreement which is binding upon the Realm, if the agreement is of ma jor significance. The Government may however act without obtaining the Riksdag’s approval if the interests of the Realm so require. In such a case the Government shall instead confer with the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs before concluding the agreement.
Art. 4. The Riksdag may approve an agreement under Article 3 which is concluded within the framework of European Union cooperation, even if the agreement does not exist in final form.
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Other international obligations and denunciation Art. 5. The rules laid down in Articles 1 to 4 apply in a similar manner to the commitment of the Realm to an international obligation in a form other than an agreement, and to the denunciation of an international agre ement or obligation.
Transfer of decision-making authority within the frame- work of European Union cooperation Art. 6. Within the framework of European Union cooperation, the Riksdag may transfer decision-making authority which does not affect the basic principles by which Sweden is governed. Such transfer presupposes that protection for rights and freedoms in the field of cooperation to which the transfer relates corresponds to that afforded under this Instrument of Government and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.
The Riksdag may approve a transfer of authority, provided at least three fourths of those voting and more than half the members of the Riksdag vote in favour of the decision. The Riksdag’s decision may also be taken in accordance with the procedure prescribed for the enactment of fundamental law. Such a transfer cannot be decided until the Riksdag has approved the agreement under Article 3.
Transfer of decision-making authority outside the frame- work of European Union cooperation Art. 7. Decision-making authority which is directly based on the present Instrument of Government and which relates to the laying down of provi sions, the use of assets of the State, tasks connected with judicial or admi nistrative functions, or the conclusion or denunciation of an international agreement or obligation may, in cases other than those under Article 6, be transferred to a limited extent, to an international organisation for pea ceful cooperation of which Sweden is a member, or is about to become a member, or to an international court of law.
Decision-making authority relating to matters concerning the enact ment, amendment or abrogation of fundamental law, the Riksdag Act or a law on elections to the Riksdag, or relating to the restriction of any of the rights and freedoms referred to in Chapter 2 may not be transferred under paragraph one.
A Riksdag decision in the matter of such transfer is taken in accordan ce with the procedure laid down in Article 6, paragraph two.
Art. 8. Any judicial or administrative function not directly based on this Instrument of Government may be transferred, in cases other than those under Article 6, to another state, international organisation, or foreign or international institution or community by means of a decision of the Riksdag. The Riksdag may authorise the Government or other public au thority in law to approve such transfer of functions in particular cases.
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Where the function concerned involves the exercise of public authori ty, the Riksdag’s decision in the matter of such transfer or authorisation is taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6, paragraph two.
Future amendment of international agreements Art. 9. If it has been laid down in law that an international agreement shall have validity as Swedish law, the Riksdag may prescribe that any future amendment which is binding upon the Realm shall also have vali dity as Swedish law. Such a decision relates only to a future amendment of limited extent. The decision is taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6, paragraph two.
Right of the Riksdag to information and consultation on European Union cooperation Art. 10. The Government shall keep the Riksdag continuously informed and consult bodies appointed by the Riksdag concerning developments within the framework of European Union cooperation. More detailed ru les concerning the obligation to inform and consult are laid down in the Riksdag Act.
The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs Art. 11. The Government shall keep the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs continuously informed of those matters relating to foreign rela tions which may be of significance for the Realm, and shall confer with the Council concerning these matters as necessary. In all foreign policy matters of major significance, the Government shall confer with the Council, if possible, before making its decision.
Art. 12. The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs consists of the Speaker and nine other members elected by the Riksdag from among its members. More detailed rules concerning the composition of the Council are laid down in the Riksdag Act.
The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs is convened by the Government. The Government is obliged to convene the Council if at least four members of the Council request consultations on a particular matter. Meetings of the Council are presided over by the Head of State or, in his or her absence, by the Prime Minister.
A member of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs and any person otherwise associated with the Council shall exercise caution in communi cating to others matters which have come to his or her knowledge in this capacity. The person presiding over a meeting of the Council may rule that a duty of confidentiality shall apply unconditionally.
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Obligation of State authorities to provide information Art. 13. The head of the ministry responsible for foreign affairs shall be kept informed whenever a matter arises at another State authority which has significance for relations with another state or an international organi sation.
Art. 14. The provisions laid down in Chapter 2, Article 7, Chapter 4, Article 12, Chapter 5, Article 8, Chapter 11, Article 8 and Chapter 13, Article 3 do not prevent Sweden from fulfilling its commitments under the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court or in relation to other international criminal courts.
Chapter 11. Administration of justice Courts of law
Art. 1. The Supreme Court, the courts of appeal and the district courts are courts of general jurisdiction. The Supreme Administrative Court, the ad ministrative courts of appeal and the administrative courts are general ad ministrative courts. The right to have a case tried by the Supreme Court, Supreme Administrative Court, court of appeal or administrative court of appeal may be restricted in law. Other courts are established in accordan ce with law. Provisions prohibiting the establishment of a court of law in particular cases are laid down in Chapter 2, Article 11, paragraph one.
A person may serve as a member of the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court only if he or she holds currently, or has held previously, an appointment as a permanent salaried justice. Permanent salaried judges shall serve at other courts. Exceptions to this rule in respect of courts established to try a specific group or specific groups of cases may however be laid down in law.
Art. 2. Rules concerning the judicial tasks of the courts, the main features of their organisation and legal proceedings in respects other than those covered in this Instrument of Government are laid down in law.
Independent administration of justice Art. 3. Neither the Riksdag, nor a public authority, may determine how a court of law shall adjudicate an individual case or otherwise apply a rule of law in a particular case. Nor may any other public authority determine how judicial responsibilities shall be distributed among individual judges.
Art. 4. No judicial function may be performed by the Riksdag except to the extent laid down in fundamental law or the Riksdag Act.
Art. 5. A legal dispute between individuals may not be settled by an au thority other than a court of law except in accordance with law.
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Appointment of permanent salaried judges Art. 6. Permanent salaried judges are appointed by the Government.
When appointments are made, only objective factors, such as merit and competence, shall be taken into account. Provisions concerning the grounds for the procedure for appointing permanent salaried judges are laid down in law.
Legal status of permanent salaried judges Art. 7. A person who has been appointed a permanent salaried judge may be removed from office only if:
1. he or she has shown himself or herself through a criminal act or through gross or repeated neglect of his or her official duties to be manifestly unfit to hold the office;
2. or he or she has reached the applicable retirement age or is otherwise obliged by law to resign on grounds of protracted loss of working capacity.
If organisational considerations so dictate, a person who has been ap pointed a permanent salaried judge may be transferred to another judicial office of equal status.
Art. 8. Legal proceedings regarding a criminal act committed in the per formance of an appointment as a member of the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court are instituted in the Supreme Court.
The Supreme Administrative Court examines whether a member of the Supreme Court shall be removed or suspended from duty or obliged to undergo medical examination. If such proceedings concern a mem ber of the Supreme Administrative Court, the matter is examined by the Supreme Court. Proceedings according to paragraphs one and two are initiated by the Parliamentary Ombudsmen or the Chancellor of Justice.
Art. 9. If a permanent salaried judge has been removed from office by means of a decision of a public authority other than a court of law it shall be possible for him or her to call for the decision to be examined before a court of law. A court conducting such an examination shall include a permanent salaried judge. The same applies to any decision as a result of which a permanent salaried judge is suspended from duty, ordered to undergo examination by a medical practitioner or subject to a disciplinary sanction.
Art. 10. Basic provisions concerning the legal status of permanent sala ried judges in other respects are laid down in law.
Citizenship requirement Art. 11. Only a Swedish citizen may be a permanent salaried judge. Swedish nationality may otherwise be stipulated as a condition of eligibi
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lity to perform judicial functions only with support in law or in accordan ce with conditions laid down in law.
Other employees at courts of law Art. 12. Chapter 12, Articles 5 to 7 apply to other employees at courts of law.
Re-opening of closed cases and restoration of lapsed time Art. 13. Re-opening of closed cases and restoration of lapsed time are granted by the Supreme Administrative Court or, inasmuch as this has been laid down in law, by an inferior administrative court if the case concerns a matter in respect of which the Government, an administrative court or an administrative authority is the highest instance. In all other cases, re-opening of a closed case or restoration of lapsed time is granted by the Supreme Court or, inasmuch as this has been laid down in law, by another court of law which is not an administrative court.
More detailed rules concerning the re-opening of closed cases and restoration of lapsed time may be laid down in law.
Judicial review Art. 14. If a court finds that a provision conflicts with a rule of fundamen tal law or other superior statute, the provision shall not be applied. The same applies if a procedure laid down in law has been disregarded in any important respect when the provision was made.
In the case of review of an act of law under paragraph one, particular attention shall be paid to the fact that the Riksdag is the foremost repre sentative of the people and that fundamental law takes precedence over other law.
Chapter 12. Administration Organisation of State administration Art. 1. The Chancellor of Justice and other State administrative autho rities come under the Government, unless they are authorities under the Riksdag according to the present Instrument of Government or by virtue of other law.
Independence of administration Art. 2. No public authority, including the Riksdag, or decision-making body of any local authority, may determine how an administrative au thority shall decide in a particular case relating to the exercise of public authority vis-à-vis an individual or a local authority, or relating to the application of law.
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Art. 3. No administrative function may be performed by the Riksdag ex cept inasmuch as this follows from fundamental law or from the Riksdag Act.
Delegation of administrative functions Art. 4. Administrative functions may be delegated to local authorities.
Administrative functions may also be delegated to other legal entities or to individuals. If such a function involves the exercise of public autho rity, it may only be delegated in accordance with law.
Special provisions on State employees Art. 5. Appointments to posts at administrative authorities coming under the Government are made by the Government or by a public authority designated by the Government.
When making appointments to posts within the State administration, only objective factors, such as merit and competence, shall be taken into account.
Art. 6. Only a Swedish citizen may hold an appointment as Parliamentary Ombudsman or Auditor General. This also applies to the Chancellor of Justice. Swedish nationality may otherwise be stipulated as a condition of eligibility to hold an office or appointment under the State or under a local authority only with support in law or in accordance with conditions laid down in law.
Art. 7. Basic rules concerning the legal status of State employees in res pects other than those covered in this Instrument of Government are laid down in law.
Dispensation and clemency Art. 8. The Government may approve exemption from provisions of or dinances, or from provisions adopted in accordance with a Government decision, unless otherwise provided in an act of law or in a decision con cerning a budget appropriation.
Art. 9. The Government may, by exercising clemency, remit or reduce a penal sanction or other legal effect of a criminal act, and remit or reduce any other similar intervention by a public authority concerning the person or property of an individual.
Where exceptional grounds exist, the Government may decide that no further action shall be taken to investigate or prosecute a criminal act.
Judicial review Art. 10. If a public body finds that a provision conflicts with a rule of fun damental law or other superior statute, or finds that a procedure laid down
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in law has been disregarded in any important respect when the provision was made, the provision shall not be applied.
In the case of review of an act of law under paragraph one, particular attention shall be paid to the fact that the Riksdag is the foremost repre sentative of the people and that fundamental law takes precedence over other law.
Chapter 13. Parliamentary control Examination by the Committee on the Constitution Art. 1. The Committee on the Constitution shall examine ministers’ per formance of their official duties and the handling of Government busi ness. For its examination, the Committee is entitled to have access to the records of decisions taken in Government matters and to the documents pertaining to such matters, as well as any other Government documents that the Committee deems necessary for its examination.
Another Riksdag committee or a member of the Riksdag is entitled to raise in writing with the Committee on the Constitution any issue relating to a minister’s performance of his or her official duties or the handling of Government business.
Art. 2. Where warranted, but at least once a year, the Committee on the Constitution shall communicate to the Riksdag any observations it has found worthy of attention in connection with its examination. The Riksdag may make a formal statement to the Government as a consequence of this.
Prosecution of minister Art. 3. A person who is currently, or who has been previously, a minister may only be held accountable for a criminal act committed in the perfor mance of his or her ministerial duties only if he or she has grossly neg lected his or her official duty by committing the criminal act. A decision to institute criminal proceedings shall be taken by the Committee on the Constitution and the case tried before the Supreme Court.
Declaration of no confidence Art. 4. The Riksdag may declare that a minister no longer has the confi dence of the Riksdag. Amotion calling for such a declaration of no confi dence shall be raised by at least one tenth of the members of the Riksdag in order to be taken up for consideration. A declaration of no confidence requires the vote of more than half of the members of the Riksdag. Amotion calling for a declaration of no confidence shall not be taken
up for consideration if raised on a date between the holding of an ordinary election or the announcement of a decision to call an extraordinary elec tion and the date on which the Riksdag elected in such an election conve
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nes. A motion relating to a minister who has remained at his or her post, under Chapter 6, Article 11, after having been formally discharged, may not in any circumstances be taken up for consideration. Amotion calling for a declaration of no confidence shall not be prepa
red in committee.
Interpellations and questions Art. 5. Any member of the Riksdag may submit interpellations or ques tions to a minister on matters concerning the minister’s performance of his or her official duties in accordance with the more detailed rules laid down in the Riksdag Act.
Parliamentary Ombudsmen Art. 6. The Riksdag elects one or more Parliamentary Ombudsmen who shall supervise the application of laws and other regulations in public acti vities, under terms of reference drawn up by the Riksdag. An Ombudsman may institute legal proceedings in the cases indicated in these terms of reference.
Courts of law, administrative authorities and State or local governme nt employees shall provide an Ombudsman with such information and opinions as he or she may request. Other persons coming under the super vision of the Ombudsman have a similar obligation. An Ombudsman has the right to access the records and other documents of courts of law and administrative authorities. A public prosecutor shall assist an Ombudsman if so requested. More detailed provisions concerning the Ombudsmen are laid down in the Riksdag Act and elsewhere in law.
The National Audit Office Art. 7. The National Audit Office is an authority under the Riksdag whose function is to examine the activities of the State. Provisions stating that the National Audit Office’s audit may extend also to activities other than activities of the State are laid down in law.
Art. 8. The National Audit Office is under the direction of three Auditors General, who are elected by the Riksdag. The Riksdag may remove an Auditor General from office only provided the Auditor General no longer fulfils the requirements for the office or has been guilty of gross negligen ce.
The Auditors General decide independently, having regard to the rules laid down in law, what activities shall be audited. They determine separa tely and independently how their audit shall be carried out and formulate their own conclusions on the basis of their audit.
Art. 9. Further provisions concerning the National Audit Office are laid down in the Riksdag Act and elsewhere in law.
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Chapter 14. Local authorities Art. 1. Sweden has municipalities and county councils. Decision-making powers in these local authorities are exercised by elected assemblies. Art. 2. The local authorities are responsible for local and regional matters of public interest on the principle of local self-government. More detailed rules on this are laid down in law. By the same principle, the local autho rities are also responsible for other matters laid down in law.
Art. 3. Any restriction in local self-government should not exceed what is necessary with regard to the purpose of the restriction.
Art. 4. The local authorities may levy tax for the management of their affairs.
Art. 5. According to law, local authorities may be obliged to contribute to costs incurred by other local authorities if necessary to achieve an equal financial base.
Art 6. Regulations regarding grounds for changes in the division of the realm into local authorities are laid down in law.
Chapter 15. War and danger of war Summoning the Riksdag Art. 1. If the Realm finds itself at war or is exposed to the danger of war, the Government or the Speaker shall convene a meeting of the Riksdag. Whoever issues the notice convening the meeting may decide that the Riksdag shall convene at some place other than Stockholm.
War Delegation Art. 2. If the Realm is at war or exposed to the danger of war, a War Delegation appointed from among the members of the Riksdag shall re place the Riksdag if circumstances so warrant.
If the Realm is at war, the decision instructing the War Delegation to replace the Riksdag shall be announced by the members of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs in accordance with more detailed rules laid down in the Riksdag Act. If possible, the Prime Minister shall be consul ted before the decision is announced. If war conditions prevent the Council from convening, the decision is announced by the Government. If the Realm is exposed to the danger of war, the aforementioned decision is announced by the members of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister acting jointly. Such a decision requires the vote of the Prime Minister and six members of the Council for it to be valid.
The War Delegation and the Government may decide, either jointly or
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separately, that the Riksdag shall resume its powers. The decision shall be taken as soon as circumstances so warrant.
Rules concerning the composition of the War Delegation are laid down in the Riksdag Act.
Art. 3. While the War Delegation is acting in place of the Riksdag, it exercises the powers of the Riksdag. It may not however take decisions under Article 11, paragraph one, sentence one, or paragraph two or four.
The War Delegation determines its own working procedures.
Forming a Government and determining its working pro- cedures Art. 4. If the Realm is at war, and if, as a consequence of this, the Government is unable to carry out its duties, the Riksdag may decide on the formation of a Government and determine its working procedures.
Powers of the Government Art. 5. If the Realm is at war, and if, as a consequence of this, neither the Riksdag nor the War Delegation is able to carry out its duties, the Government shall assume its powers to the extent necessary to protect the Realm and bring hostilities to a close.
Paragraph one does not empower the Government to enact, amend, or abrogate a fundamental law, the Riksdag Act, or a law on elections to the Riksdag.
Art. 6. If the Realm is at war or exposed to the danger of war, or if such exceptional conditions prevail as result from war, or the danger of war to which the Realm has been exposed, the Government may, with authority in law, adopt by means of an ordinance provisions in a particular matter which shall otherwise, under provisions of fundamental law, be laid down in an act of law. If necessary in any other case having regard to defence preparedness, the Government may, with authority in law, determine by means of an ordinance that any provisions laid down in law which relate to requisition or other such disposition shall be brought into force or cease to apply.
In an act of law granting such authority, the conditions under which this authority may be invoked shall be strictly stipulated. Such authority shall not empower the Government to enact, amend, or abrogate a funda mental law, the Riksdag Act or a law on elections to the Riksdag.
Limitations of rights and freedoms Art. 7. If the Realm is at war or exposed to the immediate danger of war, the provisions of Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one, shall not apply. The same is true in any other circumstances in which the War Delegation is acting in place of the Riksdag.
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Powers of public authorities other than the Riksdag Art. 8. If the Realm is at war or exposed to the immediate danger of war, the Government may, with authority from the Riksdag, determine that a task that is to be performed by the Government in accordance with fun damental law shall instead be performed by some other public authority. Such authority may not extend to any powers under Article 5 or 6, unless the matter relates solely to a decision that a law concerning a particular matter shall come into force.
Decision-making under occupation Art. 9. Neither the Riksdag nor the Government may make decisions in occupied territory. Nor may any powers vested in a person in his or her capacity as a member of the Riksdag or as a minister be exercised in such territory.
Any public body in occupied territory shall act in the manner that best serves the defence effort and resistance activities, as well as the protection of the civilian population and Swedish interests in general. In no circum stances may a public body make any decision or take any action which, in contravention of international law, obliges a citizen of the Realm to render assistance to the occupying power.
Elections to the Riksdag or decision-making local government assem blies shall not be held in occupied territory.
Head of State Art. 10. If the Realm is at war, the Head of State should accompany the Government. If in occupied territory or separated from the Government, the Head of State shall be considered unable to carry out his or her duties as Head of State.
Elections to the Riksdag Art. 11. If the Realm is at war, elections to the Riksdag may be held only if the Riksdag so determines. If the Realm is exposed to the danger of war when an ordinary election is due to be held, the Riksdag may decide to defer the election. Such a decision shall be reviewed within one year and at intervals of no more than one year thereafter. A decision under this paragraph is valid only if at least three fourths of the members of the Riksdag vote in favour of it.
If any part of the Realm is occupied when an election is due to be held, the Riksdag shall approve any necessary modification of the ru les laid down in Chapter 3. No exceptions may however be made from Chapter 3, Articles 1, 4, 5, 7 to 9 or 12. Any reference to the Realm in Chapter 3, Article 5, 7, paragraph two; or Article 8, paragraph two, shall apply instead to that part of the Realm for which the election is to be held. At least one tenth of the total number of seats shall be adjustment seats.
An ordinary election which is not held at the time prescribed, in consequence of paragraph one, shall be held as soon as possible after the war ends or the danger of war has passed. The Government and the
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Speaker, jointly or separately, shall ensure that the necessary steps are taken.
If, in consequence of this Article, an ordinary election has been held at a time other than the time at which it would normally have been held, the Riksdag shall set the date of the next ordinary election for that month in the fourth or fifth year following the first-named election in which an ordinary election is due to be held under the Riksdag Act.
Decision-making powers of local authorities Art. 12. If the Realm is at war or exposed to the danger of war, or if such exceptional conditions prevail as result from the war or the danger of war to which the Realm has been exposed, the decision-making powers of local authorities shall be exercised as laid down in law.
Defence of the Realm Art. 13. The Government may deploy the armed forces of the Realm in accordance with international law to meet an armed attack against the Realm or to prevent a violation of its territory.
The Government may instruct the armed forces to use force in accor dance with international law to prevent a violation of Swedish territory in peace or during a war between foreign states.
Declaration of war Art. 14. The Government may not declare war without the consent of the Riksdag except in the case of an armed attack on the Realm.
Cessation of hostilities Art. 15. The Government may enter into an agreement on a cessation of hostilities without requesting the approval of the Riksdag and without consulting the Advisory Committee on Foreign Affairs, provided that deferment of such an agreement would endanger the Realm.
Deployment of armed forces Art. 16. The Government may send Swedish armed forces to other countries or otherwise deploy such forces in order to fulfil an international obligation approved by the Riksdag. Swedish armed forces may also be sent to other countries or be deployed if:
1. it is permitted by an act of law setting out the conditions for such action; or
2. the Riksdag permits such action in a special case.
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Transitional provisions Transitional provisions 1974 1. This Instrument of Government supersedes the previous Instrument of Government. With the exceptions given below, the previous Instrument of Government shall however apply in place of the new Instrument of Government until the end of the calendar year in which the Riksdag adopts definitively the new Instrument of Government and, in the cases below, also thereafter. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – 6. Older statute or provisions shall continue to apply, notwithstanding that they have not been enacted in the manner laid down in this Instrument of Government. Authority granted under a joint decision of the King and the Riksdag, or the Riksdag acting alone, may be exercised even after the time appointed under point 1 above, until such time as the Riksdag deter mines otherwise. The rules of Chapter 8, Article 18 of this Instrument of Government shall apply in respect of older statute adopted by joint deci sion of the King and the Riksdag, or by a decision of the Riksdag acting alone.
7. Rules of older law or other statute which refer to the King or the King in Council shall apply to the Government unless it follows from a statu te, or is otherwise apparent from the circumstances, that the reference is to the King in person, the Supreme Court, the Supreme Administrative Court, or an administrative court of appeal. Provisions which under older law or other statute shall be determined by joint decision of the King and the Riksdag shall be determined instead in an act of law.
8. Should an act of law or other statute contain a reference or allusion to a provision which has been superseded by a rule of this Instrument of Government, the new rule shall apply instead. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
14. This Instrument of Government in no way alters the provisions laid down in Article 2 of the previous Instrument of Government.
Transitional provisions relating to 1976 amendments 1. The changes in the Instrument of Government come into force on 1 January 1977.
2. The provisions of Chapter 2, Article 13, notwithstanding, older pro visions purporting at unfavourable treatment on grounds of gender shall continue to apply for the time being. Such provisions may be amended, even if the amendment is to the effect that such unfavourable treatment shall be upheld. – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –
4. The provisions of Chapter 2, Article 1, point 3, and Article 14, para
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graph one, notwithstanding, it may be laid down in law that films and video recordings shall not be shown in public without prior approval. It may also been laid down in law that public playback of moving pictures from a database may not take place unless the pictures have previously been approved for such playback.
5. Older statute or provisions shall continue to apply, notwithstanding that they have not been enacted in the manner laid down in the Instrument of Government in its new wording.
Transitional provisions relating to 1979 amendments 1. The changes in the Instrument of Government come into force on 1 January 1980.
2. Older provisions relating to taxes or charges shall continue to apply, the provisions of Chapter 2, Article 10, paragraph two, notwithstanding.
Transitional provisions relating to 2010 amendments 1. This act of law comes into force on 1 January 2011.
2. The provisions of Chapter 2, Article 6, paragraph 2 notwithstanding, older provisions purporting at significant invasions of personal privacy shall continue to apply until no longer than 31 December 2015. Until this date, such provisions may be amended, even if the amendment is to the effect that such invasions shall be upheld.
3. The provisions of Chapter 2, Article 12 notwithstanding, older provi sions purporting at unfavourable treatment on account of sexual orienta tion shall continue to apply for the time being. Such provisions may be amended, even if the amendment is to the effect that such unfavourable treatment shall be upheld.
4. The provisions of Chapter 11, Article 3 notwithstanding, older provi sions purporting at distribution of judicial responsibilities among indivi dual judges shall continue to apply for the time being.
5. Older provisions or powers shall continue to apply, notwithstan ding that they have not been enacted in the manner laid down in this Instrument of Government in its new wording.
6. If an act of law or other statute refers to a provision which has been replaced by a rule in the Instrument of Government in its new wording, the new rule shall instead be applied.
Transitional provisions relating to 2014 amendments 1. The changes in the Instrument of Government come into force on 1 January 2015.
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2. The rules of Chapter 3, Articles 1, 7, 8 and 13 in their new wording shall apply for the first time in the ordinary elections to the Riksdag in 2018.
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The Riksdag Act (2014:801)
Chapter 1. Introductory provisions The contents of the Riksdag Act Art. 1. This Act contains provisions about the Riksdag.
Provisions on elections to the Riksdag, the work of the Riksdag and the tasks of the Riksdag are laid down in the Instrument of Government.
The Act is divided into principle provisions and supplementary pro visions. Rules concerning the enactment and amendment of the provi sions of the Riksdag Act are laid down in Chapter 8, Article 17 of the Instrument of Government.
The disposition of the Riksdag Act Art. 2. The Riksdag Act contains 14 chapters. These are: – introductory provisions (Chapter 1); – elections to the Riksdag (Chapter 2); – Riksdag sessions (Chapter 3); – direction and planning of the work of the Riksdag (Chapter 4); – the members of the Riksdag (Chapter 5); – the Chamber (Chapter 6); – the Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs
(Chapter 7); – interpellations and questions to ministers (Chapter 8); – introduction of business (Chapter 9); – preparation of business (Chapter 10); – settlement of business (Chapter 11); – elections within the Riksdag (Chapter 12); – Riksdag bodies and boards (Chapter 13); and – the Riksdag Administration (Chapter 14).
Definitions Art. 3. For the purposes of this Act, the following terms have the defini tions set out in this article: – electoral period: the time from the date on which the newly-elected
Riksdag convenes to the date on which the Riksdag elected next the reafter convenes;
– Riksdag session: the period during which the Riksdag meets; – longest-serving member of those present in the Chamber: if two or more
members have served in the Riksdag for an equally long period, the eldest of them has precedence;
– group leader: the special representative appointed by a party group which has received at least four per cent of the national vote at the elec tion to the Riksdag to confer with the Speaker under this Act;
– plenary meeting: a meeting of the Chamber at which committee reports and statements may be taken up for deliberation and settlement.
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Chapter 2. Elections to the Riksdag Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on elections to the Riksdag.
Time of ordinary elections Art. 2. Ordinary elections to the Riksdag are held in September.
Extraordinary elections Supplementary provision 2.2.1 Provisions concerning extraordinary elec tions to the Riksdag are laid down in Chapter 3, Article 11, and Chapter 6, Article 5 of the Instrument of Government.
Further provisions on elections Art. 3. Further provisions on elections to the Riksdag are laid down in the Instrument of Government and in law.
Chapter 3. Riksdag sessions Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on: – Riksdag sessions after an election to the Riksdag (Articles 2–5), – the opening of the Riksdag session (Article 6); and – other provisions concerning Riksdag sessions (Articles 7–9).
Riksdag sessions after an election to the Riksdag
Start of the Riksdag session Art. 2. A newly-elected Riksdag convenes for a new session in accordan ce with the provisions laid down in Chapter 3, Art. 10 of the Instrument of Government.
Time of first meeting after an election Supplementary provision 3.2.1 The first meeting of the Chamber in a Riksdag session after an election starts at 11 a.m. The members shall be informed of the time of the meeting.
First meeting Art. 3.At the first meeting of the Chamber after an election to the Riksdag, the following shall take place in the order set out below: 1. a report from the Election Review Board concerning the examination
of the election warrants of members and alternate members is presen ted;
2. a roll-call of members is taken;
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3. a Speaker and First, Second and Third Deputy Speaker are elected for the electoral period; and
4. a Nominations Committee is appointed for the electoral period.
Chair of the first meeting after an election Supplementary provision 3.3.1 The longest-serving member of those present in the Chamber presides over the meeting until the Speaker and Deputy Speakers have been elected.
Procedure for election of Speakers Art. 4. In accordance with Chapter 4, Article 2 of the Instrument of Government, the Riksdag elects a Speaker and First, Second and Third Deputy Speaker. The Speakers are elected individually in the above order. They are elected for the duration of the electoral period.
If the election of the Speaker is held by secret ballot in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 12, the candidate obtaining more than half of the votes is elected. If no such majority is obtained, a new election is held. If no candidate receives more than half of the votes on this occasion either, a third election is held between the two candidates obtaining the highest number of votes in the second election. The person receiving the most votes in the third election is elected.
Procedure for appointment of Nominations Committee Art. 5. Each party group which corresponds to a party which obtained at least four per cent of the national vote at the election to the Riksdag shall have a seat on the Nominations Committee. A further ten seats are dist ributed proportionately among the same party groups. The members are appointed on the basis of the procedure set out in Chapter 12, Article 14.
Number of members in the Nominations Committee Supplementary provision 3.5.1 The Speaker determines how many mem bers each party group shall appoint to the Nominations Committee. In making the proportional distribution, the basis of calculation set out in Chapter 12, Article 8, paragraph three, shall be applied.
The opening of the Riksdag session
Special meeting for the opening of the Riksdag session Art. 6. A special meeting of the Chamber for the formal opening of a Riksdag session takes place no later than the third day of the session. At the request of the Speaker, the Head of State declares the session open. If the Head of State is unable to attend, the Speaker declares the session open.
At this meeting, the Prime Minister delivers a statement of Government policy unless there are special grounds why he or she should refrain from doing so.
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Time of meeting for the opening of the Riksdag session Supplementary provision 3.6.1 After an election to the Riksdag, the for mal opening of the session after an election to the Riksdag takes place at 2 p.m. on the second day of the session.
In years in which no election to the Riksdag has been held, the formal opening takes place on the first day of the session at the same time.
The Speaker may appoint another time for the meeting.
Other provisions concerning Riksdag sessions
Length of the Riksdag session Art. 7. A Riksdag session continues until the start of the next session.
Other Riksdag sessions during the electoral period Art. 8. In years in which no ordinary election to the Riksdag is held, a new session starts on that date in September determined by the Chamber at the preceding session.
Proposal regarding time of first meeting Supplementary provision 3.8.1 The Riksdag Board presents a proposal to the Chamber ahead of decisions in accordance with Article 8.
Roll-call at other Riksdag sessions Supplementary provision 3.8.2 The Speaker may also determine that a roll-call of members is to take place at the first meeting of the Chamber at other sessions during the electoral period. If no roll-call is held, a list of all members at the start of the Riksdag session shall be attached to the record of the meeting.
New Riksdag session after extraordinary election Art. 9. If an extraordinary election has been announced prior to the date appointed, a new session starts in accordance with the Article 8, provided the Riksdag convenes before 1 July the same year as a result of the extra ordinary election.
Chapter 4. Direction and planning of the work of the Riksdag Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on direction and planning of the work of the Riksdag.
The Speaker and Deputy Speakers Art. 2. The Speaker, or in his or her place one of the Deputy Speakers, directs the work of the Riksdag.
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Group leaders Art. 3. Each of the party groups under Chapter 3, Article 5 shall appoint a special representative (group leader) to confer with the Speaker concer ning the work of the Chamber, in accordance with provisions laid down in this Act.
The party groups shall appoint a personal alternate for the group lea der (deputy group leader).
Information about decisions made after conferral Supplementary provision 4.3.1 Decisions made after conferral shall be made available for the members. This shall occur as determined by the Speaker.
The Riksdag Administration Art. 4. The Riksdag Administration is led by a Board.
Provisions concerning the tasks of the Riksdag Administration are laid down in Chapter 14.
The Riksdag Board Supplementary provision 4.4.1 The Riksdag Board directs the Riksdag Administration and deliberates on the organisation of the work of the Riksdag.
The Riksdag Board consists of the Speaker as chair and ten other members whom the Riksdag appoints from among its members for the duration of the electoral period. The Riksdag also appoints ten deputies for the appointed members of the Riksdag Board.
Meetings of the Riksdag Board Supplementary provision 4.4.2 The Riksdag Board convenes at a sum mons from the Speaker. If the Speaker is unable to attend a meeting, one of the Deputy Speakers will take his or her place as chair. The place of an absent member is taken by a deputy belonging to the same party group.
The Riksdag Board meets behind closed doors. If the Board wishes to obtain information from a person who is not a member of the Board, it may summon him or her to attend a meeting.
The Deputy Speakers, those of the group leaders who are not members of the Board, and the Secretary-General of the Riksdag may participate in the deliberations of the Board.
The Chairmen’s Conference Art. 5. The Chairmen’s Conference deliberates on matters of common concern for the activities of the Chamber, the Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs.
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Composition of the Chairmen’s Conference Supplementary provision 4.5.1 The Chairmen’s Conference consists of the Speaker, acting as chair, and the chairs of the Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs.
Chapter 5. The members of the Riksdag Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on the mandate of members of the Riksdag.
Provisions regarding the mandate are also laid down in Chapter 4, Articles 10–13 of the Instrument of Government.
Remuneration Art. 2. A member of the Riksdag shall receive remuneration out of public funds. More detailed provisions regarding remuneration and economic conditions for members of the Riksdag and alternate members are laid down in law.
Registration of commitments and financial interests Supplementary provision 5.2.1 Provisions regarding registration of members’ commitments and financial interests are laid down in the Act concerning the registration of MPs’ commitments and financial interests (1996:810).
Leave of absence Art. 3. A member of the Riksdag may be granted leave of absence from his or her duties. If a member has been granted leave of absence for at least one month, the member’s duties shall be carried out by an alternate for the duration of his or her absence.
Examination of application for leave of absence Art. 4. An application for leave of absence is considered by the Speaker, with the restrictions set out in paragraph two.
An application for reasons other than illness or parental leave for a period of one month or more is considered by the Chamber.
If, however, an application is made during a break of more than one month in the work of the Chamber, the Speaker may determine whether leave shall be granted.
Contents of an application for leave of absence Supplementary provision 5.4.1 An application for leave of absence shall be written, shall include the reasons for the application and shall rela te to a specific period. Applications shall be submitted to the Riksdag Administration.
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Alternates Art. 5. When an alternate member is to replace the Speaker, a member of the Riksdag who is a Government minister, or a member of the Riksdag who has been granted leave of absence, the Speaker shall summon the alternate to take up his or her duties. The Speaker shall follow the order of precedence between the alternates that is laid down in law. The Speaker may, however, depart from this order where special grounds exist.
Notification of alternates Supplementary provision 5.5.1 An alternate member who is to exercise a mandate as a member of the Riksdag shall receive notification, indicating the member whom he or she will replace and the period of the appoint ment. An alternate may receive a separate notification of the date on which the appointment shall terminate.
Status of alternates in the case of resignation by a member of the Riksdag Art. 6. If a member of the Riksdag who is on leave of absence resigns his or her mandate, the alternate member who has been replacing that mem ber shall continue to exercise the mandate until a new member has been appointed.
Prosecution or deprivation of liberty Art. 7. In certain cases under Chapter 4, Section 12, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government, legal proceedings may not be initiated against a member of the Riksdag and neither may a member of the Riksdag be deprived of his or her personal liberty without the consent of the Riksdag. The same applies to former members of the Riksdag.
An application for the consent of the Riksdag shall be submitted by a prosecutor, or any other person wishing to initiate legal proceedings, to the Speaker.
If the application is so incomplete that it cannot be used as a basis for consideration by the Riksdag, or if the applicant has failed to demonstrate that he or she is competent to raise charges or apply for such action to be taken by a public authority, the Speaker shall reject the application. In any other case, the Speaker shall notify the matter to a meeting of the Chamber.
Application for consent Supplementary provision 5.7.1 An application under Article 7 shall be submitted in writing and shall contain the grounds for the application.
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Chapter 6. The Chamber
Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on: – planning and direction of meetings (Articles 2–6); – meetings (Articles 7–14); – the right to speak at meetings (Articles 15–19); – legislative debates (Articles 20–22); – special debates (Article 23); and – common provisions (Articles 24-27).
Planning and direction of meetings
Planning Art. 2. The Speaker determines the planning of the work of the Chamber and when the Chamber shall meet.
Conferral ahead of planning Supplementary provision 6.2.1 Ahead of decisions under Article 2, the Speaker shall confer with the Riksdag Board.
The Speaker Art. 3. The Speaker presides over the meetings of the Chamber.
Assistance to the Speaker Supplementary provision 6.3.1 When presiding over the meetings of the Chamber, the Speaker is assisted by a clerk of the Chamber.
Deputy Speaker Art. 4. The Speaker may delegate to a Deputy Speaker the duty of presi ding over a meeting.
Longest-serving member in the Chamber Art. 5. If the Speaker and all the Deputy Speakers are unable to attend, the member among those present who has been a member of the Riksdag longest presides over the meeting.
Impartiality of the Speaker Art. 6. The Speaker is debarred from speaking on the substance of any matter under deliberation which has been entered in the order paper. The same shall apply to the Deputy Speaker or member presiding over a me eting of the Chamber.
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Meetings
Openness at meetings Art. 7. Meetings of the Chamber are open to the public in accordance with the provisions laid down in Chapter 4, Article 9 of the Instrument of Government.
The Chamber may determine that a meeting shall be held behind closed doors, if necessary, with regard to the security of the Realm, or otherwise, with regard to relations with another state or an international organisation.
If the Government is to provide information to the Riksdag at a me eting, the Government may also determine, on the grounds given in para graph two, that the meeting shall be held behind closed doors.
Duty of confidentiality Art. 8.Amember or official of the Riksdag may not, without authority, disclose anything that has occurred at a meeting held behind closed doors. The Chamber may waive the duty of confidentiality, in whole or in part, in a particular case.
Summons Art. 9. The Chamber convenes in response to a summons from the Speaker unless otherwise provided in the Instrument of Government or in this Act.
A summons shall be posted no later than 6 p.m. on the day prior to the meeting and at least fourteen hours in advance. In exceptional circumstan ces, a summons may be posted later. In such a case, the meeting shall take place only if more than half the members of the Riksdag consent to this.
Contents of a summons Art. 10. The summons shall indicate whether the meeting is a plenary meeting at which committee reports and statements may be taken up for settlement.
Other information in a summons Supplementary provision 6.10.1 The summons shall indicate if an election is to be held at the meeting.
Break in the work of the Chamber after a decision to call an extraordinary election Art. 11. If the Government has decided to call an extraordinary election, the Speaker may determine in response to a request from the Government, that the work of the Chamber shall be suspended for the remainder of the electoral period.
Extraordinary meeting Art. 12. The Speaker may decide to convene a meeting of the Chamber during a break in the work of the Chamber. Such a decision shall be taken
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if requested by the Government or by at least one hundred and fifteen members of the Riksdag.
A meeting shall be held within ten days from the submission of such a request. A meeting may only be held after all the members have been gi ven reasonable time to turn up after being notified of the summons.
During a period in which plenary meetings are not normally planned, a plenary meeting may be held in less than 48 hours from the time mem bers are notified of the summons only if at least three quarters of those entitled to vote and more than half of the members of the Riksdag vote in favour of settling the matter.
Notification of time for extraordinary meeting Supplementary provision 6.12.1 Notice of the time of the first such me eting under Article 12 shall be published.
Order paper Art. 13. The Speaker shall prepare an order paper for each meeting listing all matters on the table of the Chamber. An exception may be made for a matter which it is assumed will be dealt with behind closed doors. The order paper shall be made available for the members of the Riksdag.
The order paper shall indicate whether the meeting is a plenary me eting.
At the meeting, business and elections shall be dealt with in the order in which they appear on the order paper.
Motions that are to be entered as the first item on the order paper Supplementary provision 6.13.1 A motion calling for a referendum on a matter of fundamental law, a vote on a Prime Minister in accordance with Chapter 6, Article 3 of the Instrument of Government, a proposal for a new Prime Minister or a motion calling for a declaration of no confidence is entered as the first item on the order paper. If there are several such matters, they are taken in the order indicated above. The Speaker may determine another order between a vote on a Prime Minister and a motion calling for a declaration of no confidence.
Contents of the order paper Supplementary provision 6.13.2 In addition to the provisions laid down in Chapter 6, Article 13.1, the following shall be entered on the order paper:
1. elections; 2. Government bills and written communications from the Government,
submissions and reports from Riksdag bodies, private members’ mo tions and documents from the EU which are to be referred to a com mittee;
3. committee reports and statements which are to be tabled, debated or settled, or if a committee or the Speaker have proposed that a matter shall be taken up for settlement after a shorter period than that laid down in Chapter 11, Article 2, paragraph one;
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4. decisions and information about any changes in the list of members; 5. other decisions to be taken by the Chamber; 6. notice of specially-arranged debates; and 7. other questions to the extent determined by the Speaker.
In addition, notice that a minister intends to deliver an oral statement at a meeting of the Chamber should be entered in the order paper. If possible, a motion calling for a draft law to be held in abeyance for twelve months shall be entered in the order paper.
Decision to terminate or adjourn a meeting Art. 14. A decision to terminate or adjourn a meeting in progress is taken by the Chamber without prior deliberation.
Right to speak at meetings of the Chamber
Right to speak Art. 15. Every member of the Riksdag and every minister shall be entit led to speak freely at a meeting on all matters under deliberation and on the legality of all that takes place at the meeting, with the exceptions laid down in this Act.
Restrictions on the right to speak Art. 16.A person who has the floor shall confine his or her contribution to the matter under deliberation. Should anyone offend against this provision and fail to comply with the Speaker’s admonition, the Speaker may debar him or her from speaking for the remainder of the deliberations.
No speaker at a meeting may speak inappropriately of another person, use personally insulting language, or otherwise behave in word or deed in a way that contravenes good order. Should anyone offend against this pro vision, the Speaker may debar him or her from speaking for the remainder of the deliberations.
Rules for the Chamber Supplementary provision 6.16.1 After conferring with the group leaders, the Speaker may decide to adopt rules for the Chamber.
Declaration of office by the Head of State Art. 17. The Head of State may deliver a declaration of office before the Chamber.
Oral information from the Government Art. 18. The Government may provide information to the Riksdag by means of an oral statement delivered by a minister at a meeting of the Chamber.
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Disqualification Art. 19. No one may be present at a meeting when a matter is being deli berated which personally concerns himself or herself or a close associate.
A minister may however participate in the deliberation of a matter concerning the performance of his or her official duties.
Legislative debates
Arrangement of debates Art. 20. The Speaker shall confer with the group leaders concerning the arrangement of debates in the Chamber.
Limitations during debates Art. 21. The Riksdag may prescribe a limit to the number of contributions a speaker may make during the deliberation of a matter and the duration of such contributions in a supplementary provision of this Act. A dis tinction may be made in this connection between different categories of speakers.
Such limitation of the right to speak as referred to in paragraph one may be made in conjunction with the deliberation of a particular issue in response to a proposal from the Speaker. The decision is taken without prior deliberation.
Every person wishing to speak on an issue shall however be entitled to speak for at least four minutes.
Notice of wish to speak in a debate Supplementary provision 6.21.1 A contribution by a member who has not given prior notice of his or her wish to participate in a debate shall be limited to four minutes, unless the Speaker allows an extension. A further contribution by a member who has already spoken during the deliberation of a particular issue shall be limited to two minutes.
Notice is to be given to the Riksdag Administration no later than 4.30 p.m. on the day prior to the meeting at which the deliberations will com mence. Such notice shall indicate the expected duration of the contribu tion.
The rules laid down in paragraphs one and two shall not apply when a reply is given to an interpellation or a question.
Order of speakers Art. 22. The Speaker shall determine the order of speakers from among those giving notice before the deliberation of a particular issue that they wish to speak. Members asking leave to speak during the deliberations shall speak in the order in which they give notice to this effect.
Irrespective of the order of speakers, and without prior notice, the Speaker may:
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1. give the floor to a minister who has not previously spoken; and 2. give the floor to a minister or a member who has previously spoken
for the purpose of making a rejoinder to the speech of a previous speaker.
After conferring with the group leaders, the Speaker may decide to give the floor to a minister or a member for a rejoinder before he or she has made his or her contribution. A distinction may be made in this connec tion between different categories of speakers.
Possibility for a minister to speak Supplementary provision 6.22.1 Irrespective of the order of speakers and without having given prior notice, a minister who has not spoken previo usly in the deliberation of a particular issue may be given the floor for a contribution of no more than ten minutes.
Rejoinders Supplementary provision 6.22.2 A rejoinder shall be requested during an ongoing contribution. The duration of a rejoinder may not exceed two mi nutes unless the Speaker permits an extension to four minutes on special grounds. Each speaker may make two rejoinders to the same contribution. If the Speaker has already given a member leave to make a rejoinder, he or she shall be allowed to make the rejoinder before a minister makes a contribution breaking into the order of speakers.
Concurrence Supplementary provision 6.22.3 Irrespective of the order of speakers, a member may indicate his or her concurrence with a preceding speaker in the course of the deliberation of an issue without stating his or her rea sons.
Special debates
Specially-arranged debates Art. 23. After conferring with the group leaders, the Speaker may deter mine that a debate shall take place at a meeting of the Chamber on matters unconnected with other business under consideration. Such a debate may be restricted to one particular subject or may be divided up according to subject.
Time for contributions at a specially-arranged debate Supplementary provision 6.23.1 After conferring with the group leaders, the Speaker shall determine the duration of contributions at a specially-ar ranged debate.
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General provisions
Records Art. 24. A verbatim record shall be kept of proceedings in the Chamber. No one may speak off the record. A decision may not be altered when the record has been confirmed.
The record of meetings of the Chamber and associated documents shall be made publicly available, unless secrecy is required.
Preliminary record Supplementary provision 6.24.1 A statement made at a meeting shall be made available in readable form without delay (preliminary record). If the speaker has registered no complaint against the preliminary record by 12 noon of the third working day following the meeting, he or she shall be presumed to have approved it.
If the speaker adjusts the preliminary record, he or she should sign the adjustment.
Confirmation of the record Supplementary provision 6.24.2A record is confirmed by the Chamber within three weeks of the meeting. A record which cannot be confirmed within that period shall be confirmed within one month or at such time as the Speaker determines. When a record is confirmed, a member is entitled to request correc
tion of the record in respect of a statement which has been approved by another member under 6.24.1.
Seats in the Chamber Art. 25. Each member shall have his or her own appointed place in the Chamber. Special places shall also be provided for the Speaker, Deputy Speakers and ministers.
Placing in the Chamber Supplementary provision 6.25.1 Members sit in order of constituency in the Chamber.
Place for speaking in the Chamber Supplementary provision 6.25.2 A speaker shall address the Chamber from the rostrum or from his or her place in the Chamber.
The public Art. 26. Special places shall be provided in the Chamber for the general public.
Rules for visitors Supplementary provision 6.26.1 A visitor to the public gallery shall sur render, on request, his or her outdoor clothing, carrying bags, and any
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objects capable of being used to create a disturbance in the Chamber. A person who fails to comply with such a request may be refused admission to the public gallery. Personal possessions thus surrendered shall be stored in special accommodation for the duration of the visit.
Rules concerning security controls are laid down in the Act on Security Controls in the Riksdag (SFS 1988:144).
Members of the public who create a disturbance Art. 27. A member of the public who creates a disturbance may be ejected immediately. In the event of disorder developing among the public, the Speaker may have all the members of the public ejected.
Chapter 7. The Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs
Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on: – appointments (Articles 2–4); – responsibilities of the Riksdag committees and allocation of matters (Articles 5–11); – EU business (Articles 12–14); and – meetings (Articles 15–21).
Appointments
Riksdag committees Art. 2. The Riksdag shall appoint from among its members, for each electoral period, a Committee on the Constitution, a Committee on Finance, a Committee on Taxation and as many other committees as are necessary for the work of the Riksdag. The appointments apply for the duration of the electoral period.
The Riksdag may also appoint committees during the electoral period to serve no longer than the remainder of the electoral period.
Appointment of committees Supplementary provision 7.2.1 The Riksdag shall appoint the following fifteen committees not later than the eighth day following the first meeting of the Chamber in the electoral period of the Riksdag in the order listed below: 1. a Committee on the Constitution; 2. a Committee on Finance; 3. a Committee on Taxation; 4. a Committee on Justice; 5. a Committee on Civil Affairs; 6. a Committee on Foreign Affairs;
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7. a Committee on Defence; 8. a Committee on Social Insurance; 9. a Committee on Health and Welfare; 10. a Committee on Cultural Affairs; 11. a Committee on Education; 12. a Committee on Transport and Communications; 13. a Committee on Environment and Agriculture; 14. a Committee on Trade and Industry; and 15. a Committee on the Labour Market.
Appointments of additional committees Supplementary provision 7.2.2 If the Riksdag appoints any additional committee, it shall indicate the committee’s primary responsibilities.
Committee on European Union Affairs Art. 3. The Riksdag shall appoint from among its members for each electoral period a Committee on European Union Affairs (Committee on EU Affairs) for consultation with the Government under Chapter 10, Article 10 of the Instrument of Government.
Members of the Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs Art. 4. The Riksdag committees and the Committee on EU Affairs shall consist of an odd number of members, but no fewer than fifteen.
At meetings of the Committee on EU Affairs, each party group repre sented on the Committee has the right to substitute for one member of the Committee a member of the Riksdag committee whose field of respon sibility is affected by the issues under consideration. This right does not, however, apply to a party group which already has a member or deputy member on the Committee who is also a member of the Riksdag commit tee concerned.
Decisions regarding number of members Supplementary provision 7.4.1 The number of members in the Riksdag committees and Committee on EU Affairs is determined by the Riksdag in response to a proposal from the Nominations Committee.
Responsibilities of the committees and allocation of mat- ters
Allocation of matters between the Riksdag committees Art. 5. In addition to the provisions laid down in Articles 8, 9 and 10, the Riksdag prescribes by means of a supplementary provision the principles according to which matters shall be allocated among the Riksdag commit tees. Matters falling within the same subject area shall be referred to the same committee.
The Riksdag may, however, determine that there shall be a committee
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for the preparation of matters concerning legislation under Chapter 8, Article 2, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government, irrespective of subject area.
Committees’ subject areas Supplementary provision 7.5.1 The appendix to this Act lays down the various subject areas for which the Riksdag committees are responsible, in addition to those laid down in Articles 8, 9 and 10.
Sharing of matters between Riksdag committees Art. 6. The Budget Bill may be shared between two or more Riksdag committees. Other matters may be shared only where special grounds so warrant.
Joint committees Art. 7. Two or more committees may decide to prepare a matter jointly through deputies on a joint committee.
Responsibilities and subject areas of the Committee on the Constitution Art. 8. The Committee on the Constitution shall prepare matters concer ning the fundamental laws and the Riksdag Act.
The Committee shall monitor the application in the Riksdag of the principle of subsidiarity under Chapter 9, Article 20, paragraph two and report its observations to the Chamber once a year.
Further provisions concerning the responsibilities of the Committee are laid down in the Instrument of Government and in this Act.
Responsibilities and subject areas of the Committee on Finance Art. 9. The Committee on Finance shall prepare matters concerning: 1. general guidelines for economic policy and for the determination of
the central government budget; and 2. the activities of the Riksbank.
The Committee shall also prepare proposals for decisions on the central government budget in accordance with Chapter 11, Article 18, paragraphs three and five. Furthermore, the Committee on Finance shall examine esti mates of central government revenue and the central government annual report. The Committee shall coordinate the Riksdag’s decisions concer ning the central government budget.
Further provisions concerning the responsibilities of the Committee are laid down in the Instrument of Government and in this Act.
Subject areas of the Committee on Taxation Art. 10. The Committee on Taxation shall prepare matters concerning central government and local government taxation.
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Departures from the allocation of matters Art. 11. The Riksdag may depart from the principles thus established for the allocation of matters among committees, with the exception of Article 8, paragraph one, if this is deemed necessary in a particular case, having regard to the interdependence of different matters, the particular nature of a matter, or working conditions.
Under the circumstances set out in paragraph one, a Riksdag commit tee may transfer a matter to another Riksdag committee, provided this committee consents. The committee transferring the matter may deliver an opinion in the matter to the receiving committee in conjunction with the transfer.
EU business
Government’s deliberations with the committees in matters concerning EU business Art. 12. The Government shall deliberate with the committees in matters concerning European Union business decided by the committees. If requested by at least five members of a committee, the committee
shall decide to hold deliberations with the Government under paragraph one. The committee may reject such a request if deliberation would delay consideration of the matter so as to cause serious detriment. In such a case, the committee shall enter in the record its reasons for rejecting the request.
Committees’ obligation to monitor EU business Art. 13. The committees shall monitor the work of the European Union within their respective subject areas.
Government’s consultation with the Committee on EU Affairs Art. 14. The Government shall inform the Committee on EU Affairs of matters which are to be decided by the Council of the European Union. The Government shall also consult the Committee regarding the conduct of negotiations in the Council prior to decisions in the Council.
The Government shall deliberate with the Committee on EU Affairs concerning other matters associated with the work of the European Union, if so requested by the Committee on special grounds.
The Government shall consult the Committee prior to meetings and decisions of the European Council.
Meetings
Time of meetings of the Riksdag committees and the Committee on EU Affairs Art. 15. The Riksdag committees and the Committee on EU Affairs con vene as required by the work of the Riksdag.
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Summons Supplementary provision 7.15.1 The Riksdag committees and the Committee on EUAffairs convene for the first time within two days from their appointment in response to a summons from the Speaker. Thereafter, the Riksdag committees and Committee on EU Affairs are convened by their chairs. The chair shall summon the members to a meeting if so re quested by at least five members of the Riksdag committee or Committee on EU Affairs.
A summons shall be sent to all members and deputy members. The summons should be posted no later than 6 p.m. on the day prior to the meeting.
The Committee on Finance shall also be convened by the Speaker in response to a request from the Government, for purposes under Chapter 9, Article 5 of the Instrument of Government.
Head of meeting pending the election of a chair Supplementary provision 7.15.2 Pending the election of a chair, the mem ber from among those present who has been a member of the Riksdag longest presides.
Planning of committee meetings Supplementary provision 7.15.3 If the committee has made a unanimous decision in advance, the committee may meet during a plenary meeting or an election in the Chamber. However, the committee may not hold such public meetings as are referred to in Article 17 concurrently with a plena ry meeting or election in the Chamber.
Records Supplementary provision 7.15.4 A record shall be kept of meetings of the Riksdag committees and meetings of the Committee on EU Affairs.
Committee on EU Affairs Supplementary provision 7.15.5 A legible record shall be kept of the Committee on EU Affairs’ deliberations with the Government.
Meetings behind closed doors Art. 16. The Riksdag committees and the Committee on EU Affairs shall meet behind closed doors. The Riksdag committees and the Committee on EU Affairs may permit a person other than a member, deputy member or official of the Committee also to be present at a meeting behind closed doors. At meetings of the Committee on EU Affairs and deliberations in the Riksdag committees on EU business under Article 12, no decision is required for a minister or an official accompanying a minister to be pre sent.
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Meetings that are open to the public Art. 17. A Riksdag committee may decide that a meeting shall be open to the public, in respect of that part of it which relates to information-gathe ring or deliberations on EU business in accordance with Article 12.
The Committee on EU Affairs may decide that a meeting shall be open to the public, in whole or in part.
A representative of a central government authority shall not be obli ged, during a public part of a meeting, to provide information which is subject to secrecy rules at the authority.
Sound or video recordings at meetings that are open to the public Supplementary provision 7.17.1 Sound or video recordings may be made of a public part of a meeting of a Riksdag committee or the Committee on EU Affairs unless otherwise decided by the Committee.
The public Art. 18. Special seats shall be provided for the general public at a public part of a meeting of the Committee on EU Affairs.
Rules for visitors Supplementary provision 7.18.1 Visitors shall, on request, surrender their outdoor clothing, bags and any objects capable of being used to create a disturbance at the meeting. A person who fails to comply with such a re quest may be refused admission to the meeting. Personal possessions thus surrendered shall be stored in special accommodation for the duration of the visit.
Rules concerning security controls are laid down in the Act on Security Controls in the Riksdag (SFS 1988:144).
Members of the public who create a disturbance Art. 19. A member of the public who creates a disturbance may be ejected immediately. In the event of disorder developing among the public, the chair may have all the members of the public ejected.
Duty of confidentiality Art. 20. No one who has attended a meeting of a Riksdag committee or the Committee on EU Affairs may, without authority, disclose any matter which the Government, a Riksdag committee or the Committee on EU Affairs has determined shall be kept secret, with regard to the security of the Realm or for any other reason of exceptional importance arising out of relations with another state or an international organisation.
Disqualification Art. 21. No one may be present at a meeting of a committee when a mat ter is being deliberated which personally concerns himself or herself or a close associate.
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Chapter 8. Interpellations and questions to ministers
Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on: – interpellations (Articles 2–4); – written questions (Articles 5–7); and – Question Time (Article 8).
Interpellations
Contents of interpellations Art. 2. An interpellation shall be submitted in writing and addressed to a specific minister. It shall deal with a specific subject and shall include the reasons for submitting the interpellation.
Decisions concerning interpellations Art. 3. The Speaker determines whether an interpellation may be introdu ced. If the Speaker considers that an interpellation conflicts with funda mental law or with this Act, he or she shall refuse to allow the interpella tion to be introduced, stating the reasons for the decision.
If the Chamber requests nevertheless that the interpellation be in troduced, the Speaker shall refer the matter to the Committee on the Constitution for decision. The Speaker shall allow the interpellation if the Committee has declared that it does not conflict with fundamental law or with this Act.
The practical handling of interpellations Supplementary provision 8.3.1. An interpellation is submitted to the Riksdag Administration. The Speaker notifies a meeting of the Chamber without delay of his or
her decision whether or not to allow the interpellation to be introduced. If the Speaker allows the interpellation to be introduced, he or she forwards it to the minister without delay. The interpellation shall be entered in the record of proceedings in the Chamber.
Withdrawal of interpellations Supplementary provision 8.3.2. An interpellation may be withdrawn until such time as the minister has given a reply.
Replies to interpellations Art. 4. An interpellation shall be answered by a minister within two weeks from its referral to the minister. If, as a result of the planning of the work of the Chamber, interpellations cannot be answered during a certain
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week, the period is extended until it is possible to deliver a reply. If no reply is given within the period indicated in paragraph one, or if no reply will be delivered, the minister shall inform the Chamber of his or her rea sons for this. A statement of this nature shall not give rise to a debate.
An interpellation lapses if no reply is delivered during the electoral period in which it was introduced.
Times for delivery of replies Supplementary provision 8.4.1 The Speaker determines the meeting at which a reply will be delivered, after conferring with the minister and the interpellant.
A draft reply to an interpellation may be distributed to members in advance.
Interpellation debate Supplementary provision 8.4.2 An oral reply to an interpellation may be of no more than six minutes’ duration. The minister shall be entitled to make three more contributions, of which the first two shall be of no more than four minutes’ duration each, and the third of no more than two minu tes’ duration.
The interpellant shall be entitled to make no more than three contribu tions, of which the first two shall be of no more than four minutes’ dura tion each, and the third of no more than two minutes’ duration.
Other speakers shall be entitled to make no more than two contribu tions, of which the first shall be of no more than four minutes’ duration, and the second of no more than two minutes’ duration.
A member shall inform the Chamber of his or her wish to speak no later than the second round of contributions.
Written questions
Content of written questions Art. 5. A written question to a minister may include a brief introductory explanation. The question shall deal with a specific subject.
Decisions concerning written questions Art. 6. The Speaker determines whether a written question may be intro duced. If the Speaker considers that a written question conflicts with fun damental law or with this Act, he or she shall refuse to allow the question to be introduced, stating the reasons for the decision.
If the Chamber requests nevertheless that the question be introduced, the Speaker shall refer the matter to the Committee on the Constitution for decision. The Speaker shall allow the question if the Committee has declared that it does not conflict with fundamental law or with this Act.
The practical handling of written questions Supplementary provision 8.6.1. A written question is submitted to the Riksdag Administration.
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The Speaker notifies a meeting of the Chamber without delay of his or her decision whether or not to allow the question to be introduced. If the Speaker allows the question to be introduced, he or she forwards it to the minister without delay.
Withdrawal of written questions Supplementary provision 8.6.2. A written question may be withdrawn until such time as the minister has given a reply.
Replies to written questions Art. 7. A written question receives a written reply from a minister. If no reply is delivered within the period specified in a supplementary provi sion, the minister shall inform the Riksdag Administration of when the question will receive a reply or that no reply will be given.
Deadline for replies to written questions Supplementary provision 8.7.1 A written question that is submitted no later than 10 a.m. on Thursday shall receive a reply no later than 12 noon on the following Wednesday. Should the work situation of the Riksdag so require, the Speaker may determine, after conferring with the group leaders, that the reply shall instead be given within fourteen days after the question was submitted. The written reply is submitted to the Riksdag Administration, which forwards it to the member who submitted the question.
Record of written questions and replies Supplementary provision 8.7.2 Written questions and ministers’ replies to questions shall be entered in the record of proceedings in the Chamber.
Question time
Oral questions Art. 8. An oral question to a minister is put forward at a special Question Time in the Chamber. The question shall deal with a specific subject.
It shall receive an immediate reply from a minister. The Speaker determines who shall have the floor at Question Time and
may decide to limit contributions to no more than one minute.
Planning of Question Time Supplementary provision 8.8.1 Question Time is held every Thursday in weeks in which the Chamber meets.
Should the work situation of the Riksdag so require, the Speaker may determine that Question Time shall be held on some other day than Thursday or that it shall be cancelled. The Government Offices shall inform the Riksdag Administration in
good time which ministers will be attending Question Time. Notice to this effect shall be given in the manner determined by the Speaker.
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Chapter 9. Introduction of business Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on: – business introduced by the Government (Articles 2–9); – business introduced by members of the Riksdag (Articles 10–15); – business introduced by Riksdag bodies (Articles 16–19); – business introduced by means of documents from the EU (Article 20); – information about the EU (Articles 21–23); – other issues to be dealt with by the Riksdag (Articles 24 and 25); and – certain general issues (Articles 26 and 27).
Business introduced by the Government
Government bills Art. 2. The Government submits a proposal to the Riksdag in the form of a Government bill.
A Government bill shall include the Government minutes in the mat ter, an account of the preparation of the matter and the reasons for the proposal. Bills containing proposals for legislation shall include the opini on of the Council on Legislation, if such exists.
Submission of Government bills Supplementary provision 9.2.1. A Government bill is submitted to the Riksdag Administration. It is notified at a meeting of the Chamber after having been made available to members.
Times for submission of bills Art. 3. In response to a proposal from the Speaker, the Riksdag determi nes the latest date on which bills which, in the Government’s view, should be considered during the current electoral period may be submitted. If a particular date is prescribed in this Act, that date however applies.
A decision under paragraph one does not apply: 1. if, pursuant to law, the Government seeks the approval of the
Riksdag for a statutory instrument which has already been issued; or 2. if the Government considers that exceptional grounds exist for sub
mitting a bill at a later date.
Conferral in order to prevent accumulation of business Art. 4. The Government should time the submission of its bills so as to prevent an accumulation of business in the Riksdag. The Government shall confer with the Speaker in this connection.
The Budget Bill Art. 5. The Government shall submit a bill setting out proposals for cen tral government revenue and expenditure for the budget year (Budget Bill). The central government budget year coincides with the calendar year.
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The Budget Bill shall contain a budget statement and a budget propo sal. Unless otherwise decided by the Riksdag by law, under Chapter 11, Article 18, the Budget Bill shall include an allocation of appropriations to the expenditure areas that have been determined.
A bill relating to central government revenue or expenditure for the coming budget year may be submitted subsequent to the Budget Bill only if the Government considers that exceptional economic policy grounds exist for such action. A bill containing proposals for a new or significantly increased app
ropriation, or guidelines under Chapter 9, Article 6 of the Instrument of Government for central government activities covering a period excee ding that to which the appropriation for the activity relates, should contain an estimate of future costs connected with the activity to which the pro posal relates. If a proposal concerning an appropriation is based on a plan covering a period exceeding the period for which the appropriation has been calculated in the bill, the plan should be described.
Submission of the Budget Bill Supplementary provision 9.5.1 The Budget Bill shall be submitted no later than 20 September.
In years in which an election to the Riksdag is held in September, the Budget Bill shall instead be submitted no later than two weeks after the opening of the Riksdag session. If this is impossible due to a change of Government, the Budget Bill shall be submitted within three weeks from the date on which a new Government takes office, but no later than 15 November.
Spring Fiscal Policy Bill Supplementary provision 9.5.2 The Government shall submit a bill no later than 15 April each year setting out proposals for guidelines for future economic and budgetary policy (the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill).
Expenditure areas Supplementary provision 9.5.3 State expenditure shall be referred to the following expenditure areas: 1 Governance; 2 Economy and financial ad ministration; 3 Taxes, customs and enforcement; 4 Justice; 5 International cooperation; 6 Defence and contingency measures; 7 International deve lopment cooperation; 8 Migration; 9 Health care, medical care and social services; 10 Financial security for the sick and disabled; 11 Financial security for the elderly; 12 Financial security for families and children; 13 Gender equality and introduction of newly arrived immigrants; 14 Labour market and working life; 15 Financial support for students; 16 Education and academic research; 17 Culture, media, religious communities and leisure activities; 18 Community planning, housing provision, construc tion and consumer policy; 19 Regional growth; 20 General environmental protection and nature conservation; 21 Energy; 22 Transport and commu nications; 23 Land- and water-based industries, rural areas and food; 24 Industry and trade; 25 General grants to local government; 26 Interest on
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central government debt, etc.; and 27 The contribution to the European Union.
Decisions relating to the purposes and activities to be included in an expenditure area are taken in conjunction with decisions relating to the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill.
Further provisions on the budget process Supplementary provision 9.5.4 Further provisions concerning the budget process are laid down in the Swedish Budget Act (2011:203).
Government bills with proposals for amendments to the central government budget Art. 6. With the exceptions laid down in paragraph two, the Government may submit a bill with proposals for amendments to the central govern ment budget at the most on two occasions during the budget year.
Bills with proposals for amendments to the central government budget may only be submitted on other occasions if the Government finds special grounds for doing so.
Submission of Government bills with proposals for amendments to the central government budget Supplementary provision 9.6.1 Such bills as are referred to in Article 6, paragraph one shall be submitted in connection with the Budget Bill or the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill.
Written communications Art. 7. The Government may submit information to the Riksdag in the form of written communications.
Submission of written communications Supplementary provision 9.7.1 A written communication from the Government shall be submitted to the Riksdag Administration. It is no tified at a meeting of the Chamber after having been made available to members
Written communications about measures taken in response to Riksdag decisions Art. 8. Each year the Government shall submit to the Riksdag a written communication presenting the measures taken by the Government in re sponse to communications submitted by the Riksdag to the Government.
Written communications concerning the work of commissions appointed by Government decision Art. 9. The Government shall report to the Riksdag in a written commu nication submitted each year concerning the work of the commissions appointed by Government decision.
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Business introduced by members Private members’ motions Art. 10. Members of the Riksdag submit proposals to the Riksdag in the form of private members’ motions. Proposals on matters of varying nature shall not be combined in one and the same private member’s motion.
Submission of private members’ motions Supplementary provision 9.10.1 A private member’s motion shall be sub mitted to the Riksdag Administration no later than 4.30 p.m. on the last day on which motions may be submitted. It should indicate the party to which the member submitting the motion belongs. Private members’ motions are notified at a meeting of the Chamber.
General private members’ motions period Art. 11. Once a year, private members’ motions may be introduced on any question falling within the jurisdiction of the Riksdag (the general private members’ motions period).
Unless otherwise determined by the Riksdag in response to a propo sal from the Speaker, the general private members’ motions period runs from the start of a Riksdag session which opens in August, September or October, and continues as long as private members’ motions may be intro duced on account of the Budget Bill.
Private members’ motions arising out of Government bills etc. Art. 12. Private members’ motions arising out of a Government bill, a written communication from the Government, a submission or a report from a Riksdag body other than a committee may be introduced within fif teen days from the date on which the matter was notified to the Chamber.
Amended period during which private members’ motions may be introduced Art. 13. If a bill or submission must be dealt with promptly, the Riksdag may, if it finds that there are exceptional grounds for so doing, decide to curtail the period during which private members’ motions may be introdu ced, in response to a proposal from the Government or the Riksdag body which made the submission.
If there are special grounds, the Riksdag may decide, in response to a proposal from the Speaker, to extend the period during which private members’ motions may be introduced.
Proposal to extend the period during which private members’ motions may be introduced Supplementary provision 9.13.1 A proposal to extend the period during which private members’ motions may be introduced must be submitted not later than the second meeting following the meeting at which the bill, written communication, submission or report was notified to the Chamber.
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A decision in favour of an extension is taken no later than the next fol lowing meeting.
Private members’ motions arising out of a deferral Art. 14. If consideration of a Government bill, a written communication from the Government or a submission or report has been deferred from one electoral period to the next, private members’ motions arising the refrom may be introduced within seven days from the start of the new electoral period.
Private members’ motions arising out of an occurrence of ma- jor significance Art. 15. Private members’ motions arising out of an occurrence of major significance may be introduced jointly by at least ten members, if the event could not have been foreseen or taken into account during the gene ral private members’ motions period or any other period for the introduc tion of private members’ motions set out in this Chapter.
Business introduced by Riksdag bodies Committee initiatives Art. 16. A Riksdag committee is entitled to introduce proposals in the Riksdag on any subject falling within its remit (committee initiative). A committee initiative takes the form of a committee report, in accordance with the provisions that apply to committee reports in general.
The Committee on Finance is entitled, for purposes of economic po licy, to introduce proposals in the Riksdag also on a matter falling within the remit of another committee.
Submissions and reports from Riksdag bodies Art. 17. The Riksdag Board, the General Council and Executive Board of the Riksbank, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the National Audit Office may make submissions to the Riksdag in matters affecting the competence, organisation, personnel or working procedures of the body concerned.
The Riksdag may prescribe that the Riksdag Board, the General Council and Executive Board of the Riksbank and the Parliamentary Ombudsmen may make submissions to the Riksdag also in other cases.
Special provisions concerning reports to the Riksdag from a Riksdag body are laid down in law.
The provisions of paragraph one apply also to each individual Auditor General at the National Audit Office. Further provisions concerning such submissions are laid down in law.
Submission of submissions or reports Supplementary provision 9.17.1 A submission or report from a Riksdag body is submitted to the Riksdag Administration. It is notified at a me eting of the Chamber after having been made available to members.
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Submissions from the Riksdag Board Supplementary provision 9.17.2 The Riksdag Board may make sub missions to the Riksdag on issues concerning the conduct of Riksdag business, issues coming within the Board’s remit or concerning econo mic-administrative legislation relating to the Riksdag Administration, Parliamentary Ombudsmen or the National Audit Office.
Before the Riksdag Board makes a submission concerning econo mic-administrative legislation relating to the Riksdag Administration, Parliamentary Ombudsmen or the National Audit Office, the authorities concerned shall be given the opportunity to comment on the matter.
The Board may also in other cases make submissions to the Riksdag on issues concerning the Riksdag or Riksdag bodies, if the submissions are based on proposals emanating from commissions appointed by the Board on instructions from the Riksdag.
Reports about measures taken in response to Riksdag decisions Supplementary provision 9.17.3 Each year the Riksdag Board shall submit to the Riksdag a written communication presenting the measures taken by the Board in response to communications from the Riksdag submitted to the Board.
Submissions from the General Council and Executive Board of the Riksbank Supplementary provision 9.17.4 The General Council and Executive Board of the Riksbank may make submissions to the Riksdag within their areas of competence.
Submissions from the Parliamentary Ombudsmen Supplementary provision 9.17.5 Each individual Parliamentary Ombudsman may make submissions to the Riksdag on account of an issue which has arisen in their supervisory activities. Further provisions concerning such submissions are laid down in the Act with Instructions for the Parliamentary Ombudsmen (1986:765).
Reports from the Auditors General Supplementary provision 9.17.6 Each individual Auditor General may submit reports to the Riksdag on account of the audit statements rela ting to the annual report of central government, the Riksbank and the Riksbank Tercentenary Foundation.
Audit reports from the Auditors General Art. 18. Each individual Auditor General submits his or her audit reports on the performance audit to the Riksdag. The Auditors General submit the annual report with the most significant observations from the performance audits and the annual report to the Riksdag.
The reports shall be submitted to the Riksdag Administration. They are notified at a meeting of the Chamber after having been made available to members.
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The annual reports and audit reports relating to the activities of the Riksdag Administration and public authorities under the Riksdag are sub mitted in the form of a report.
Other reports are submitted by the Speaker to the Government or the Riksdag committee concerned.
Written communications from the Government arising out of reports from the Auditors General Art. 19. The Government shall submit a written communication to the Riksdag for each audit report submitted to the Government, giving an account of the measures the Government has taken or intends to take in response to the observations of the report. If the Government has taken or intends to take similar measures in response to several audit reports, however, the Government may submit a written communication covering several audit reports to the Riksdag.
The written communication from the Government shall be submitted to the Riksdag within four months of the Government receiving the re port. When calculating the respite, July and August shall not be counted.
Business introduced by means of documents from the EU EU business Art. 20. Green and white papers that are forwarded to the Riksdag by the European Commission shall be considered by the Riksdag. The same applies to other documents from the European Union, other than draft legislative acts, whose consideration in this manner shall be determined by the Speaker, after consultation with the group leaders. The Riksdag shall examine whether draft legislative acts conflict with
the principle of subsidiarity. The Riksdag shall approve or reject initiatives from the European
Council to decide on an authorisation for the Council to amend the de- cision-making procedure in a particular area or in a particular case from unanimity to a qualified majority or from a special legislative procedure to the ordinary legislative procedure. In the same manner, the Riksdag shall approve or reject proposals from the European Commission to speci fy aspects of family law that have cross-border consequences and that can be the subject of legislative acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure.
Information about the EU Information from the Government about the work of the EU Art. 21. In accordance with Chapter 10, Article 10 of the Instrument of Government, the Government shall keep the Riksdag continuously infor med concerning developments within the framework of European Union cooperation.
The Government shall account to the Riksdag concerning its actions in the European Union and shall submit a written communication annually
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to the Riksdag reporting activities in the European Union.
Information from the Government about documents from the EU Art. 22. The Government shall inform the Riksdag of its position regar ding the documents put forward by the institutions of the European Union to the Riksdag and which the Government deems significant.
Information about the work of the European Union from the Union’s institutions Art. 23. The Riksdag receives written information about work in the European Union from the Union’s institutions in accordance with treaties and the protocols to the treaties.
Other business dealt with by the Riksdag Notification of decisions held in abeyance and exceptions from a respite Art. 24. The Committee on the Constitution shall notify to the Chamber for final approval decisions on matters of fundamental law or relating to the Riksdag Act which have been held in abeyance over an election. If, under provisions of the Instrument of Government, the procedure laid down for the amendment of fundamental law or of the Riksdag Act shall be applied in any other case, the decision which is being held in abeyance shall be notified by the committee within whose remit the matter falls.
The Committee on the Constitution shall furthermore notify the Chamber of a decision concerning an exception from the respite prescri bed for the introduction of a proposal which shall be taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in Chapter 8, Article 14 of the Instrument of Government.
Motions calling for a referendum on a matter of fundamental law or for a declaration of no confidence Art. 25. A motion calling for a referendum on a matter of fundamental law or for a declaration of no confidence shall be put forward at a meeting of the Chamber. The motion shall be submitted in writing as soon as it has been put forward.
Certain general issues Withdrawals Art. 26. A Government bill, written communication from the Government, submission, report or private member’s motion may be withdrawn until such time as a committee report has been presented on the matter. A draft law held in abeyance for a minimum of twelve months under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government may be withdrawn until a new committee report has been presented under Chapter 10, Article 6, paragraph three of this Act.
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If a Government bill, written communication, submission or report has been withdrawn, private members’ motions arising out of these do cuments shall lapse.
If a Government bill, written communication, submission or re port has been withdrawn, private members’ motions arising out of the withdrawal may be introduced within seven days from the date on which the withdrawal was notified to the Chamber.
Handling of the withdrawal Supplementary provision 9.26.1 Withdrawal of a Government bill, writ ten communication, submission or report shall take the form of a written communication which is submitted to the Riksdag Administration.
A withdrawal of a private member’s motion is submitted in writing to the Riksdag Administration.
The Speaker cancels Government bills, written communications, submissions, reports and private members’ motions which have been withdrawn, or which have lapsed as a result of a withdrawal. The Speaker’s decision is notified to the Chamber.
Calculation of statutory time limits Art. 27. The provisions generally applying to the calculation of statutory time limits shall apply also to time limits within which action shall be taken under a provision of this Chapter.
Chapter 10. Preparation of business Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on the Riksdag committees’ pre paration and consideration of business.
Mandatory preparation of business and tabling Art. 2. Government bills, written communications from the Government, submissions, reports from a Riksdag body other than a committee, private members’ motions and EU documents indicated in Chapter 9, Article 20 shall be referred by the Chamber to a committee for preparation. The same applies to applications under Chapter 5, Article 7, for consent to prosecution or deprivation of liberty which have been notified in the Chamber.
Before a matter is referred to a committee for preparation, it shall be tabled at a meeting of the Chamber, unless the Chamber decides on imme diate referral.
Mandatory consideration of business Art. 3. The committees shall deliver reports to the Chamber on Government bills, written communications from the Government, sub missions, reports from a Riksdag body other than a committee and private
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members’ motions which have been referred to them, or have been sub mitted from another committee.
The committees shall deliver statements on the EU documents indi cated in Chapter 9, Article 20, paragraphs one and three and which have been referred to them or have been submitted from another committee.
Concerning matters relating to subsidiarity under Chapter 9, Article 20, paragraph two, if a committee considers that the draft conflicts with the principle of subsidiarity, it shall deliver a statement to the Chamber with a proposal that the Riksdag should send a reasoned opinion to the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The committee shall also deliver a statement to the Chamber if no fewer than five members of the committee so request. Otherwise the Committee is to report to the Chamber by means of an extract from the record that the draft legislation does not conflict with the principle of subsidiarity.
Preparation of matters arising in the Riksdag Art. 4. Before a committee either completely or partially supports a motion that the Riksdag should approve a law, or raises such a proposal through a committee initiative, the committee should gather all the ne cessary information and comments, provided there are no exceptional reasons against doing so. This also applies to proposals affecting the cen tral government budget. If the committee has not gathered information or comments, the committee shall in its committee report give reasons for this.
Before a committee either completely or partially supports a motion or raises a proposal through a committee initiative, the Committee on Finance shall be given the opportunity to give an opinion if the proposal can entail substantial future repercussions on public expenditures and revenues.
Statement from the Council on Legislation Art. 5. Provisions concerning the committees’ obligation to obtain the opinion of the Council on Legislation are laid down in Chapter 8, Article 21 of the Instrument of Government.
If the committee has not obtained an opinion from the Council on Legislation, the committee shall in its committee report give reasons for this.
The Committee on the Constitution may provide an explanation to the effect that Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government is not applicable concerning a specific legislative proposal only after the Council on Legislation has submitted its comments.
Consideration of deferred matters or matters held in abeyance Art. 6. Committee reports on matters that have been deferred to the next electoral period in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 11, Articles 15, 16 and 20 shall be delivered by the committees appointed by the newly elected Riksdag.
When notifying the Chamber of a decision held in abeyance under Chapter 9, Article 24, a committee shall append an opinion in the matter.
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If a draft law has been held in abeyance for a minimum of twelve months under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government, the committee shall deliver a new report on the matter.
Decisions by the Committee on Finance Supplementary provision 10.6.1 A decision of the Committee on Finance on a question under Chapter 9, Article 5 of the Instrument of Government shall be reported to the Government in a written communication from the committee.
Cooperation between committees Art. 7. A committee may give another committee the opportunity to state its opinion in a matter falling within the remit of another committee.
Obligation of a State authority to furnish information and de- liver opinions to a committee Art. 8. A central government authority shall furnish information and de liver opinions to a committee that so requests, unless it follows otherwise from Chapter 7, Article 17, paragraph three. An authority which is not an authority under the Riksdag may refer a request from a committee to the Government for decision.
The Government’s obligation under this Article to furnish information and deliver opinions to a committee is limited to both issues on work in the European Union, and audit reports on the performance audit from the Auditors General which have been submitted to the Government.
Protection of minorities in committees Art. 9. A committee shall obtain information or an opinion under Articles 4, 7 or 8, if, during the consideration of a matter, at least five of its mem bers so request. If the matter relates to European Union activities or such reports from the Auditors General as mentioned in Chapter 9, Article 18, such a request may be put forward unconnected with the consideration of a matter. If requested by at least five members of a committee, a committee that
has been given the opportunity to state its opinion to another committee under Article 7 shall produce an opinion.
The committee may reject a request for information or an opinion under the first or second paragraph, if it is put forward during the conside ration of a matter and the committee concludes that the action requested would so delay consideration of the matter that serious detriment would result. The committee shall state in its report or opinion its reasons for rejecting such a request. If a request under the second paragraph has been rejected, the committee shall give the reasons in its record.
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Information necessary in certain EU matters Art. 10. When preparing a statement under Article 3, paragraph two, the committee shall obtain the necessary information from the Government.
Within two weeks from the day the committee so requests, the Government shall inform the committee of its assessment regarding the application of the principle of subsidiarity to the current draft legislative act under Article 3, paragraph three.
Voting at a committee meeting and the right to append a reser- vation Art. 11. Voting in a committee shall be by open ballot. In the event of a tied vote, the opinion of the chair shall prevail.
A member who loses a vote in a committee may append a reservation, with a motion, to the committee’s report or statement. If the vote relates to the committee’s position in a statement of opinion to another committee, the member may append a dissenting view to the statement of opinion. The report, statement or statement of opinion may not, however, be delay ed as a result.
Special statements of opinion Art. 12. In a report, statement or opinion delivered to another committee, a member may explain his or her position in a special statement of opini on.
Chapter 11. Settlement of business Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on: – necessary conditions for settlement of business (Articles 2–6); –procedure for decisions in the Chamber (Articles 7–14); – when matters are to be settled (Articles 15–17); – special procedures for certain business (Articles 8–20); – communications on Riksdag decisions (Article 21).
Necessary conditions for settlement of business
Availability of committee reports and statements Art. 2. A report or statement from a committee shall be available for members no later than two days before the matter in question is to be considered. The committee report shall be notified to the Chamber and tabled at a
meeting before it is settled. The Riksdag may decide, in response to a proposal from the commit
tee or the Speaker, that the matter may be settled despite it having been available for less time than stated in the first paragraph.
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Time at which committee reports and statements shall be made av- ailable Supplementary provision 11.2.1. The committee report or statement shall be available for members no later than 3 p.m. on the day stated in Article 2, paragraph one.
Proposal for settlement of a matter that has been available for a shorter time Supplementary provision 11.2.2. A proposal under Article 2, paragraph th ree shall be notified to the Chamber in connection with the consideration of the report or statement. Before the Speaker raises such a proposal, he or she shall consult the chair and deputy chair of the committee.
Tabling and time for settlement of certain matters Art. 3. A motion calling for a referendum on a matter of fundamental law or a declaration of no confidence shall be tabled at the meeting at which it is put forward and subsequently at one other meeting before it is settled. The matter shall be settled no later than the third meeting after the motion was put forward.
A proposal from the Speaker for a new Prime Minister shall be ta bled at the meeting at which it is put forward and then at one further meeting before it may be settled. The matter shall, in accordance with the provisions in Chapter 6, Article 4, paragraph two of the Instrument of Government be decided on the fourth day after the day the proposal was put forward.
Introduction of motions Art. 4. A committee moves adoption of a proposal in a matter by means of a committee report or statement.
A member who wishes to move adoption or rejection of a proposal or proposed decision which is considered in a committee report or a state ment shall introduce the motion during the deliberations.
Referral back and referral to another committee Art. 5. A matter on which a committee has delivered a report or a state ment shall be referred back to the committee by the Chamber for further preparation if at least one third of those voting concur in a motion to this effect. The same matter may not be referred back more than once under this Article.
The Chamber may also refer the matter to another committee for further preparation. If a motion for referral to another committee and a motion for referral back to the same committee are put forward concur rently, the motion for referral back shall be considered first. If the motion for referral back is approved, the motion for referral to another committee lapses.
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Necessary conditions for settlement of matters Art. 6. A matter under deliberation may not be taken up for settlement until the Chamber has declared the debate closed, in response to a propo sal from the Speaker.
A report or statement from a committee may be taken up for settle ment only at a meeting which has been notified in the summons and ente red in the order paper as a plenary meeting.
Procedure for decisions in the Chamber
Putting questions for decision Art. 7. The Speaker puts the questions for decision, based on the motions which have been put forward during deliberations. If the Speaker considers that a motion conflicts with fundamental law
or with this Act, he or she shall decide not to put the question, stating the reasons for the decision. If the Chamber requests the question be put, the matter shall be referred to the Committee on the Constitution for decision. If the committee has declared that a motion does not conflict with funda mental law or with this Act, the Speaker shall put the question.
The provisions set out in paragraph two concerning examination of the constitutionality of a motion shall not apply to the question whether Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government is applicable to a particular draft law.
Settlement Art. 8. A matter is settled by acclamation or, if a member so requests, by holding a vote.
If a special procedure rule is to be applied under Article 14, the matter must always be settled by means of a vote.
If necessary, settlement of a matter shall be divided up into separate part-decisions.
Settlement by acclamation Art. 9. When a matter is to be settled by acclamation, the Speaker shall put to the question the motions that have been put forward in the course of the deliberations, and which can be weighed up against each other. The question shall be worded in such a way that it can be answered with a ‘Yes’ or ‘No’. The Speaker declares what he or she understands to be the result, and confirms the decision by striking his or her gavel, unless a member calls for a vote.
Settlement by means of a vote Art. 10. When a matter is to be settled by means of a vote, the motions that have been put forward during the deliberations shall be weighed up against each other. The motion which in the Speaker’s view has been adopted by acclamation, or the motion determined by the Speaker, consti tutes the principal proposal for the vote. A second motion is put up against this principal proposal to act as a counter-proposal.
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If there is more than one motion which can be put up against the prin cipal proposal, the Riksdag shall first in one or more preparatory decisions determine which motion shall constitute the counter-proposal in the main vote.
Voting is by open ballot. Under the rule laid down in Chapter 4, Article 7 of the Instrument of Government, the proposal which obtains the support of more than half the members voting constitutes the decision of the Riksdag, unless otherwise provided in the Instrument of Government or in this Act. The Speaker announces the result of the vote and confirms the decision by striking his or her gavel.
Voting procedure Supplementary provision 11.10.1 A vote is carried out at a previously esta blished point in time or after due warning.
When a vote is taken, the Speaker formulates the proposal on which the vote will be taken. If a special procedure rule under Article 14 is to be applied in a particular case, this shall be stated in the proposal put to the vote. The proposal which is to be put to the vote is read out and submitted to the Chamber for approval.
The vote shall be taken electronically or, when this cannot be done, by means of a call of names.
Count of votes when a vote is taken electronically Supplementary provision 11.10.2 When a vote is taken electronically, the way each member votes is registered.
Count of votes when a vote is taken by a call of names Supplementary provision 11.10.3 When a vote is taken by means of a call of names, the Speaker calls upon two members to record the vote. The Deputy Speakers are called up first, followed by the other members ac cording to constituency. Responses must be one of the following: ‘Yes’, ‘No’, ‘Abstain’. When a vote is taken, the way each member votes is re gistered.
Voting by having the members rise in their places Supplementary provision 11.10.4 If the Speaker deems it appropriate, a vote may instead be taken by having the members rise in their places. If the result of such a vote is unclear or if a member calls for a count, a new vote shall be taken electronically or by means of a call of names.
Procedure when a vote is taken by having the members rise in their places Supplementary provision 11.10.5 When a vote is taken by having the members rise in their places, the Speaker calls first on those members wishing to vote ‘Yes’ to rise and calls thereafter on members wishing to vote ‘No’ to rise.
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A tied vote when a preparatory vote is taken Art. 11. If the vote is tied in a preparatory vote concerning which motion shall constitute the counter-proposal, the outcome is determined by lot.
A tied vote in a principal division Art. 12. If the vote is tied in a principal division, the matter shall be ta bled in its entirety for a new vote to be decided on the next occasion a decision is to be taken.
If the vote is tied at the next vote, the Speaker shall put the proposal that the matter be referred back to the committee for further preparation. The matter shall be referred back if at least half of those voting concur. If the matter is not referred back, it shall be determined by lot.
After the matter has been referred back, it shall be taken up again in its entirety for consideration. If the vote is tied in the principal division, the matter shall be determined by lot.
Referral back of a legislative matter settled by means of part-decisions Art. 13. If the settlement of a legislative matter has been divided up into two or more part-decisions, the Chamber may decide immediately, after the last part-decision, and in response to a proposal from the Speaker or from a member, that the matter shall be referred back to the committee for further preparation. If the Riksdag decides to refer the matter back, the part-decisions are null and void.
The same matter may not be referred back more than once under this Article.
Settlement under a special procedure rule Art. 14. If more than one proposal has been put forward for decisions, for which another procedure applies than for decisions in general, the Chamber shall first select one of the proposals in accordance with the rules generally in force. A decision is taken thereafter as to whether the chosen proposal shall be adopted or rejected, in accordance with the pro cedure rule that applies to the proposal. This procedure is applied even when there are several measures of draft legislation which are mutually incompatible and a motion has been put forward for one of them to be held in abeyance for a minimum of twelve months under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government.
If two or more motions are put forward concurrently which call for a referendum on the same measure of fundamental law which is being held in abeyance over an election, or which call for a declaration of no confi dence in respect of the same minister, only one vote is taken.
When matters are to be settled
Time frame for settlement of matters Art. 15. A matter shall be settled in the electoral period in which it is introduced. The Riksdag may, however, decide that consideration of
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the matter may be deferred to the first parliamentary session of the next electoral period.
A matter relating to the central government budget for the next fol lowing budget year shall be settled before the start of the budget year, if settlement cannot be deferred without detriment to adoption of the central government budget.
Decisions concerning deferral Supplementary provision 11.15.1 A decision that the consideration of a matter may be deferred to the first parliamentary session of the next electoral period is taken by the Riksdag as proposed by the relevant Riksdag committee. The Riksdag may also decide on deferral without any such proposal.
Deferral with settlement in special cases Art. 16. A matter that is introduced during the period when the Chamber is not meeting that continues until the first parliamentary session of the next electoral period shall be regarded as being deferred to the first par liamentary session of the next electoral period. The same applies if the Chamber is not meeting as a result of a decision by the Speaker in con nection with the calling of an extraordinary election.
Final settlement of a matter held in abeyance over an election Art. 17. A matter which has been held in abeyance over an election un der the rules laid down in Chapter 8, Articles 14-17 of the Instrument of Government shall be settled at the first parliamentary session of the electoral period within which a final decision may first be taken under the rules, provided the matter has not already been rejected. The Riksdag may decide to defer settlement to another parliamentary session. The matter shall be settled finally before the next ordinary election to the Riksdag.
In the case of deferral due to an extraordinary election, the rules laid down in Article 16, paragraph one shall be applied.
If a proposal for an amendment of fundamental law held in abeyance over an election, or any other decision which shall be taken in accordance with the same procedure is rejected in a referendum, the relevant commit tee shall notify the matter to the Chamber.
Proposal for a decision on deferral of a matter held in abeyance over an election Supplementary provision 11.17.1. A decision concerning deferral of a final decision on a matter held in abeyance over an election in accordance with the provisions in Article 17, paragraph one shall be taken on the basis of a proposal from the relevant committee.
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Special procedures for certain matters
Decisions relating to the central government budget Art. 18. Decisions relating to the central government budget shall be made in accordance with paragraphs two to five, unless otherwise laid down in law by the Riksdag.
The central government budget for the next following budget year is determined in two stages. In the first stage a single decision is taken to establish:
1. an estimate of revenues under the central government budget; 2. the highest figure to which the expenditure falling within each expen
diture area may amount (expenditure limit); 3. an estimate of other payments that effect State borrowing require
ments; and 4. decisions relating to the budget policy objectives decided on by the
Riksdag.
After a decision has been taken under paragraph 3, a single decision is taken in a second stage to establish appropriations for each expenditure area as well as authorisations of financial commitments.
Amendments to the central government budget are determined by means of a single decision. Only in the case of very extensive amend ments are decisions taken in two stages, in accordance with paragraphs three and four.
Preliminary estimates of revenue and expenditure limits Supplementary provision 11.18.1. In the case of decisions under Section 18, paragraph three, preliminary estimates of revenue and expenditure limits are established for the second and third budget years thereafter.
A motion calling for a draft law to be held in abeyance Art. 19. A motion under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government calling for a draft law to be held in abeyance for a minimum of twelve months may be put forward when the committee report on the draft law has been tabled.
If at the same time a motion has been put forward under paragraph one and a motion that the proposal shall be rejected, the motion calling for the proposal to be rejected shall be examined before the proposal is put to a vote for immediate approval.
A motion in writing calling for a draft law to be held in abeyance Supplementary provision 11.19.1 A motion calling for a draft law to be held in abeyance for at least twelve months shall be put forward in wri ting.
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A vote on whether a draft law is to be held in abeyance Supplementary provision 11.19.2 If a motion has been put forward cal ling for a draft law to be held in abeyance for at least twelve months, and when put to the vote the majority necessary for immediate adoption is not obtained, the proposal shall be referred to the Committee on the Constitution for examination in accordance with Chapter 2, Article 22, pa ragraph three of the Instrument of Government, provided the Committee on the Constitution has not already delivered an opinion on the matter.
If the Committee on the Constitution has declared the procedure to be applicable, the Riksdag reconsiders whether the proposal can be rejected or adopted immediately. In any other case the matter shall be referred back to the committee which prepared it
Settlement of draft law held in abeyance Art. 20. A draft law that has been held in abeyance for twelve months un der Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government shall be examined before the end of the following calendar year.
If another draft law is closely connected with legislation held in abeyance under the first paragraph of the above mentioned provision, the Riksdag may, on the basis of a proposal from the relevant committee, de termine that it shall be settled within the time applying to the examination of the draft law held in abeyance.
If a matter under this Article cannot be settled within the time pres cribed due to the calling of an extraordinary election, it shall be settled as soon as possible after the newly-elected Riksdag convenes.
Notice of Riksdag decisions
Written communications from the Riksdag Art. 21. If a Riksdag decision calls for executive action, the body re sponsible for executing the decision is informed by means of a written communication. Riksdag decisions on account of a Government bill or a submission shall always be communicated to the Government or the Riksdag body putting forward the submission by means of a written com munication.
The Riksdag shall inform the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission of its decision to provide a reasoned opinion concerning the principle of subsidiarity by means of a written communication.
The Riksdag shall inform the Presidents of the European Council, the Commission and the Council of its decision to reject an initiative or a pro posal by means of a written communication in accordance with Chapter 9, Article 20, paragraph three.
Signing of written communications from the Riksdag Supplementary provision 11.21.1 Written communications from the Riksdag are signed by the Speaker.
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Chapter 12. Elections in the Riksdag Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on: – conditions for election and eligibility (Articles 2–5); – forms of election (Articles 6–10); – appeals (Articles 11 and 12); – what happens if an MP’s period of service is terminated (Articles 13– 15); and – elections in Riksdag committees and other Riksdag bodies (Articles 16 and 17).
Conditions for election and eligibility
Nominations committee Art. 2. Elections in the Riksdag shall be prepared by a special Nominations Committee appointed from within the Riksdag, unless other wise prescribed.
Elections not to be prepared by the Nominations Committee Supplementary provision 12.2.1. The Nominations Committee does not prepare the election of a Regent, a Deputy Regent, a person who shall hold office as a Regent ad interim, the Speaker or the Deputy Speakers. Nor does the Nominations Committee prepare any election which accor ding to any provision in this Act shall be prepared in accordance with a special procedure.
Summons to meetings Supplementary provision 12.2.2. The Nominations Committee meets the same day as it is appointed by the Speaker. Thereafter, the Nominations Committee meets when summoned by the Chair.
The provisions in Chapter 7, Article 16, supplementary provi sions 7.15.1, paragraph two and 7.15.2–7.15.4 are also applied to the Nominations Committee.
Requirement for Swedish citizenship Art. 3. Only a Swedish citizen may hold a post appointed by election of the Riksdag.
Obligation to remain in service Art. 4. A person elected to such a post may not leave it without the Riksdag’s consent.
Times and validity of elections Art. 5. An election relating to a period corresponding to the electoral pe riod of the Riksdag shall be held as soon as possible after the start of the
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electoral period and be valid until the Riksdag holds a new election in the next electoral period, unless otherwise prescribed.
Forms of election
Election of incumbent of a particular post Art. 6. If the incumbent of a particular post is to be elected separately, the election shall be held by acclamation.
The election shall be held by secret ballot, however, if a member so re quests. If only one person is to be elected, that person is elected who obta ins the most votes, unless otherwise prescribed in this Act. In the event of a tied vote, the election is decided by lot. Provisions on the procedure for election by secret ballot are to be found in supplementary provisions.
If the body or group responsible for preparing the election has put forward a unanimous proposal, the election by secret ballot shall not be held until a later meeting.
Election of several persons on an agreed list Art. 7. At elections of two or more persons, the Nominations Committee may present an agreed list. The list shall contain as many names as there are persons to be elected and shall be approved by all the members parti cipating in the meeting of the Nominations Committee or by all save one.
The Speaker shall present the agreed list to the Chamber and, if it is adopted, declare the persons listed to be elected.
Election shall be by secret ballot, if so requested by at least as many members as correspond to the figure obtained if the sum total of members entitled to vote is divided by the number of persons to whom the election relates, increased by one. If the figure obtained is not a whole number, it is rounded up to the next higher whole number. This election shall be held at a later meeting.
Election by secret ballot Art. 8. Elections shall be held by secret ballot unless otherwise prescribed in Article 6 or 7 or some other principal provision of this Act.
If two or more persons are to be elected by means of secret ballot, the seats are distributed proportionately among all the groups of Riksdag members participating under a particular designation in the election (pro portional election).
The seats are distributed between the groups by allocating them one by one to the group with the highest comparison figure on each occasion. The comparison figure is identical with the number of votes obtained by the group as long as it has not been allocated a seat. The comparison fi gure is calculated thereafter by dividing the votes obtained by the group by the number of seats the group has already been allocated, increased by one. When the comparison figures are tied, the matter is decided by lot.
Procedure for election by secret ballot Supplementary provision 12.8.1 At an election by secret ballot, the
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Speaker shall call upon three members to assist at the opening and exami nation of the ballot papers and two to record the votes.
The members are called up in the manner prescribed in supplementary provision 11.10.3 and hand their ballot paper to the Speaker.
When all the ballot papers found to be valid have been read out by the Speaker and have been recorded by the Clerk of the Chamber and the two members, their notes are compared.
The Speaker establishes the result of the election and announces it to the Chamber.
Procedure for several elections by secret ballot Supplementary provision 12.8.2 If two or more elections are to be held by secret ballot, the Speaker may determine that the ballot papers for all the elections shall be delivered before a count is taken in any of the elections, unless otherwise requested by a member.
The form of ballot papers and when they are invalid Supplementary provision 12.8.3 Ballot papers shall be single sheets, folded and unmarked, and shall be identical in size, material and colour. They may include information concerning the election to which they app ly.
A ballot paper is invalid if it carries any distinguishing mark clearly placed upon it with deliberate intent.
If a member submits more than one ballot paper in an election, these ballot papers are invalid. If, however, the ballot papers are identical in content, one ballot paper shall be deemed valid in the count.
Ballot papers at proportional elections Supplementary provision 12.8.4 At a proportional election, the ballot pa per shall designate in words a particular group of Riksdag members. The names are listed consecutively, one after the other, following this designa tion.
A ballot paper is invalid if it: 1. lacks a designation of a member’s group; 2. carries more than one such designation; or 3. lacks the name of an eligible candidate. A name on a ballot paper shall be regarded as null and void if: 1. the candidate is not eligible; 2. the name has been crossed out; 3. it is not clear who is intended; or 4. the order of precedence between that name and another name on the
ballot paper is not clearly apparent.
The order of precedence between candidates’ names in each members’ group shall be determined by calculating comparison figures for the can didates applying the method laid down in Chapter 14, Article 10 of the
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Elections Act (SFS 2005:837). If several candidates obtain the same com parison figure, the election is decided by lot.
Ballot papers for the election of one person Supplementary provision 12.8.5 When one person is to be elected, there shall be one name on the ballot paper.
A ballot paper is invalid if: 1. it contains the names of two or more candidates; 2. it contains the name of a candidate who is not eligible; 3. the name has been crossed out; 4. it is not clear who is intended; or 5. it contains the designation of a group of members of the Riksdag.
Election of deputy members Art. 9. If two or more persons are to be elected, at least as many depu ty members as there are ordinary members shall also be elected, unless otherwise prescribed. The provisions relating to the election of ordinary members apply also to elections of deputy members.
After election for a Riksdag body, the Riksdag may approve a change in the number of deputy members, provided the deputy members are no fewer in number than the ordinary members.
An alternate member of the Riksdag who has been summoned to take up duty may be appointed a deputy member of a committee of which the absent member is a member, without increasing the number of deputy members of the committee. In such a case, the procedure laid down in Article 14 still applies.
Election of an increased number of deputy members Supplementary provision 12.9.1 Matters concerning the election of an increased number of deputy members that exceeds the number originally elected are prepared by the Nominations Committee.
Elections of deputy members necessitated by an increase in the num ber of deputy members shall be held as soon as possible.
Number of deputy members Supplementary provision 12.9.2 The same number of deputy members shall be appointed as there are ordinary members, unless otherwise pres cribed or specially determined.
Attendance by deputy members Art. 10. An elected member of a Riksdag body shall be replaced in his or her absence by a deputy member belonging to the same party group, unless otherwise prescribed. If this is not possible, deputy members have precedence in the order in which they were elected, or, if the election was held using an agreed list, in the order in which their names were listed.
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Appeals
Appeals against elections by secret ballot Art. 11. Appeals against elections by secret ballot may be lodged by a member of the Riksdag with the Election Review Board. The election is valid irrespective of any appeal.
Procedures for appeals Supplementary provision 12.11.1 An appeal shall be made in writing and be addressed to the Election Review Board, but it shall be submitted to the Riksdag Administration. The appeal shall be submitted to the Riksdag Administration within five days from the day on which the result of the election was announced in the Chamber.
When the appeal period has expired, the Speaker shall notify a me eting of the Chamber of all the appeals received. The Speaker shall de termine when comments concerning the appeals may be submitted to the Election Review Board.
When the period during which comments may be submitted has expi red, the Speaker forwards the appeal documents to the Election Review Board immediately. The Speaker should submit promptly to the Election Review Board his or her own opinion concerning the appeals.
Decision by the Election Review Board Supplementary provision 12.11.2 If it finds in its examination of an ap peal that a provision of Article 6, paragraph two or of supplementary provisions 12.8.1 to 12.8.5 has been set aside in the election, the Election Review Board shall declare an election null and void and order a re-elec tion.
A re-election shall however be ordered only if it can be assumed with justification that what occurred has affected the result of the election. If the error can be rectified by means of a recount or any other less ra
dical measure, the Election Review Board shall instead direct the Speaker to effect the necessary rectification.
Storage of ballot papers, etc. Supplementary provision 12.11.3 Ballot papers and other election material shall be held in safe keeping until the election result takes effect.
Re-election after appeal Art. 12. If a new member has taken his or her seat in the Riksdag due to the revision of a Riksdag election result on appeal, elections held by the Riksdag earlier in the electoral period shall be held again if so requested by at least ten members of the Riksdag.
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What happens if the appointment as a member of the Riksdag terminates
Ineligibility Art. 13. A person elected by the Chamber to a post for which membership of the Riksdag is a prerequisite shall resign the appointment if he or she leaves the Riksdag or is appointed Speaker of the Riksdag or a minister, unless otherwise prescribed.
Election of successor to a body Art. 14. If a person who has been elected to a body which at the start of the electoral period was appointed by means of an election of two or more persons resigns his or her appointment ahead of time, the party group or groups for which he or she was elected shall notify the Speaker of the name of a successor. The Speaker shall declare the person nominated as a successor to be elected. If no name is put forward, or if more than one person is nominated, the Speaker appoints a successor.
Supplementary election Art. 15. If a seat becomes vacant ahead of time and the original election related to only one person, an election shall be held for the remaining period. The same procedure is applied for a supplementary election as for the original election.
Elections in parliamentary committees and other Riksdag bodies
Election of chair to a Riksdag body Art. 16. A body whose members are appointed by the Riksdag in whole or in part shall elect from among its members a chair and one or more deputy chairs, unless otherwise prescribed.
Elections within Riksdag bodies Art. 17. Elections within a body under Article 16 are held by acclamation or by secret ballot, if a member so requests. In the event of a tied vote, the election is decided by lot.
The form of ballot papers Supplementary provision 12.17.1. Ballot papers shall be single sheets, folded and unmarked, and shall be identical in size, material and colour.
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Chapter 13. Riksdag bodies and boards Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on: – the Parliamentary Ombudsmen (Articles 2–4); – the National Audit Office (Articles 5–8); – the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs and the War Delegation (Articles 9–12); – boards (Articles 13–17); – delegations to international organisations (Articles 18 and 19); – other assignments appointed by election in the Riksdag (Articles 20– 23); and – prosecution (Article 24).
The Parliamentary Ombudsmen
Organisation and responsibilities of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen Art. 2. The Riksdag elects Ombudsmen under Chapter 13, Article 6 of the Instrument of Government to supervise the application of laws and other statutes in public activities.
The Parliamentary Ombudsmen shall be four in number, one Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman and three Parliamentary Ombudsmen. The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman shall act as administrative director and shall determine the main focus of the Ombudsmen’s activities. The Riksdag may in addition elect one or more Deputy Ombudsmen. A Deputy Ombudsman shall have held office previously as a Parliamentary Ombudsman.
The Committee on the Constitution’s conferral with the Ombudsmen Supplementary provision 13.2.1 The Committee on the Constitution shall confer with a Parliamentary Ombudsman on working procedures and other matters of an organisational nature, either on its own initiative, or at the request of one of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen.
Election of Ombudsmen Art. 3. The Parliamentary Ombudsmen and Deputy Ombudsmen are elected individually. When an Ombudsman is elected by secret ballot, the same procedure is applied as for the election of Speakers.
A Parliamentary Ombudsman is elected for the period from the date of his or her election, or a later date as determined by the Riksdag, until a new election has been held in the fourth year thereafter and the person then elected has assumed office. The election shall never be valid beyond the end of that year.
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A Deputy Ombudsman is elected for a period of two years from the date of his or her election, or a later date determined by the Riksdag.
Preparation of election of Ombudsmen Supplementary provision 13.3.1 The Committee on the Constitution shall prepare the election of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen or Deputy Ombudsmen.
Removal from office of Ombudsmen Art. 4. In response to a proposal from the Committee on the Constitution, the Riksdag may remove an Ombudsman or Deputy Ombudsman from office who has forfeited the confidence of the Riksdag.
If a Parliamentary Ombudsman retires ahead of time, the Riksdag shall elect a successor without delay to serve for a new four-year period.
The National Audit Office
Organisation and responsibilities of the National Audit Office Art. 5. In accordance with Chapter 13, Article 8 of the Instrument of Government, the Riksdag shall elect three Auditors General. One of the Auditors General shall be Auditor General with administrative responsi bility and shall be responsible for the administrative direction of the au thority. The Riksdag determines which of the Auditors General shall have this responsibility.
An Auditor General may not be an undischarged bankrupt, debarred from trading or placed under administration under Chapter 11, Section 7 of the Parental Code. Nor may an Auditor General hold any employment or appointment or engage in any activity which might affect his or her independent status.
Election of Auditors General Art. 6. The Auditors General are elected individually. When an Auditor General is elected by secret ballot, the same procedure is applied as for the election of Speakers under Chapter 3, Section 4, paragraph two.
An Auditor General is elected for the period from the date of his or her election, or a later date determined by the Riksdag, until a new election has been held in the seventh year thereafter and the person then elected has assumed office. The election shall never be valid beyond the end of that year. An Auditor General may not be re-elected.
Preparation of election of Auditors General Supplementary provision 13.6.1 Elections of the Auditors General are prepared by the Committee on the Constitution.
Auditor General’s duty to report Supplementary provision 13.6.2 An Auditor General shall report in wri ting the following circumstances to the Riksdag:
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1. any ownership and changes regarding ownership of financial in struments under Chapter 1, Section 1 of the Financial Instruments Trading Act (SFS 1991:980);
2. any agreement of a financial nature with a former employer, such as an agreement relating to salary or pension benefits paid during a peri od covered by his or her appointment at the National Audit Office;
3. any paid employment which is not of a purely temporary nature; 4. any independent income-generating activity pursued alongside his or
her appointment as an Auditor General; 5. any appointment at a municipality or county council, if the appoint
ment is not of a purely temporary nature; and 6. any other employment, appointment or ownership which might be
presumed to affect the performance of his or her duties.
Removal from office of Auditors General Art. 7. The Riksdag may remove an Auditor General from office in re sponse to a request from the Committee on the Constitution.
If an Auditor General retires ahead of time, the Riksdag shall elect a successor without delay to serve for a new seven-year period.
Parliamentary Council of the National Audit Office Art. 8. The Riksdag elects the Parliamentary Council of the National Audit Office for the electoral period of the Riksdag.
The Council consists of one member from each party group under Chapter 3, Article 5. No deputy members shall be appointed.
The Riksdag elects a chair and one or more deputy chairs from among the members of the Council. The chair and each deputy chair are elected individually.
Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs and War Delegation
The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs Art. 9. Elections of members of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs under Chapter 10, Article 12 of the Instrument of Government are valid for the electoral period of the Riksdag.
A Deputy Speaker shall act as deputy for the Speaker on the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs. Nine deputy members shall be elected.
Meetings of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs Art. 10. The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs meets behind closed doors. The Prime Minister may permit also a person other than a member, deputy member, minister or official to be present.
Record of meetings of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs Supplementary provision 13.10.1 A record shall be kept of meetings of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs. The Secretary of the Council is appointed by the Government.
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Deputy members of the Advisory Council shall always be notified of meetings of the Council.
Duty of confidentiality Supplementary provision 13.10.2Amember, deputy member or official present for the first time at a meeting of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs shall affirm that he or she will abide by the duty of confidentiality under Chapter 10, Article 12 of the Instrument of Government.
War Delegation Art. 11. In accordance with Chapter 15, Article 2 of the Instrument of Government, the Riksdag shall elect a War Delegation from among its members. The War Delegation consists of the Speaker as chair and fifty other
members whom the Riksdag appoints from among its members for the duration of the electoral period. The Delegation elects a deputy chair from among its members in accordance with Chapter 12, Article 16. A member of the Riksdag is eligible to be a member of the War Delegation irrespec tive of whether he or she is also a member of the Government. No deputy members shall be appointed for the War Delegation.
If a member is permanently prevented from attending after the War Delegation has replaced the Riksdag, another member of the Riksdag is appointed to replace him or her as laid down in Chapter 12, Article 14.
Preparation of the activities of the War Delegation Supplementary provision 13.11.1 The chair and deputy chair of the War Delegation prepare the activities of the Delegation in the event of the Delegation replacing the Riksdag.
Meetings of the War Delegation Supplementary provision 13.11.2 The provisions laid down in Chapter 7, Article 16 and supplementary provisions 7.15.1, paragraph two and 7.15.3–7.15.4 apply to the War Delegation when the Delegation is not acting in place of the Riksdag.
Summons ordering War Delegation to replace the Riksdag Art. 12. The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs convenes in response to a summons from the Speaker, or in his or her absence, a Deputy Speaker, or in response to two other members of the Council, for the purpose of ordering the War Delegation to replace the Riksdag under Chapter 15, Article 2 of the Instrument of Government.
The proceedings are conducted by the Speaker, a Deputy Speaker, or if none is present, by the member among those present who has been a member of the Riksdag the longest.
In the event of a tied vote, the opinion of the chair shall prevail.
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Boards
The Election Review Board Art. 13. The Riksdag shall have an Election Review Board and shall elect the chair and members of the Board in accordance with Chapter 3, Article 12 of the Instrument of Government.
The Riksdag appoints a deputy for the chair by means of a sepa rate election. The provisions laid down in Chapter 3, Article 12 of the Instrument of Government concerning the chair also apply to the deputy.
When a chair or deputy chair is elected by secret ballot, the same procedure is applied as for the election of Speakers, in accordance with Chapter 3, Article 4, paragraph two.
The Ministerial Remunerations Board Art. 14. The Ministerial Remunerations Board consists of a chair and two other members. These are elected individually by the Riksdag after each ordinary election to the Riksdag and serve until a new election for the Board has been held. No deputy members are appointed.
If, for reasons of ill health or for any other reason, a member is pre vented from performing his or her duties, the Riksdag elects a replace ment to serve in his or her place for as long as the problem persists.
Preparation of elections to the Ministerial Remunerations Board Supplementary provision 13.14.1 Elections of members of the Ministerial Remunerations Board are prepared by the Committee on the Constitution.
The Riksdag Remunerations Board Art. 15. The Riksdag Remunerations Board consists of a chair and two other members. These are elected by the Riksdag after each ordinary elec tion to the Riksdag and serve until a new election for the Board has been held.
Preparation of elections to the Riksdag Remunerations Board Supplementary provision 13.15.1 Elections of members of the Riksdag Remunerations Board are prepared by the Committee on the Constitution.
The Board for the Remuneration of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the Auditors General Art. 16. The Board for the Remuneration of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the Auditors General consists of a chair and two other members. These are elected individually by the Riksdag and serve until a new election for the Board has been held. No deputy members are appoin ted.
If, for reasons of ill health or for any other reason, a member is pre vented from performing his or her duties, the Riksdag elects a replace ment to serve in his or her place for as long as the problem persists.
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Preparation of elections to the Board for the Remuneration of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the Auditors General Supplementary provision 13.16.1 Elections of members of the Board for the Remuneration of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the Auditors General are prepared by the Committee on the Constitution.
The Riksdag Appeals Board Art. 17. The Riksdag Appeals Board consists of a chair, who shall hold currently, or shall have held previously, an appointment as a permanent salaried judge, and who is not a member of the Riksdag, and four other members elected by the Riksdag from among its members. The chair is elected separately. Elections for the Appeals Boards are valid for the electoral period of the Riksdag.
The chair shall have a deputy. Provisions applying to the chair also apply to the deputy chair.
When a chair or deputy chair is elected by secret ballot, the same procedure is applied as for the election of Speakers, in accordance with Chapter 3, Article 4, paragraph two.
Delegations to international organisations
Delegations elected by the Riksdag Art. 18. If an international agreement has been concluded with effect that the Riksdag shall appoint a delegation to an international organisation from among its members, rules concerning this may be laid down in a supplementary provision to this Article.
The Nordic Council Supplementary provision 13.18.1 Each year, the Riksdag elects twenty members of the Swedish Delegation to the Nordic Council. They are elec ted after the start of the new Riksdag session and serve until a new elec tion for a delegation has been held.
The delegation shall report annually to the Riksdag on its activities.
The Council of Europe Supplementary provision 13.18.2 The Riksdag elects six members of the Swedish Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. The delegation is elected for the period from 1 November of the year in which an election to the Riksdag has been held until the corres ponding date following the next election.
A member or a deputy member of the delegation who has left the Riksdag in conjunction with an election to the Riksdag may continue to serve for the remainder of the delegation’s term of office.
The delegation shall report annually to the Riksdag on its activities.
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Supplementary provision 13.18.3 The Riksdag elects eight members of
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the Swedish Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). The delegation is elected for the electoral period of the Riksdag.
The delegation shall report annually to the Riksdag on its activities.
Delegations appointed by the Speaker Art. 19. The party groups nominate members of the delegations to the Inter-parliamentary Union and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean.
After conferring with the group leaders, the Speaker determines the composition of the delegations. The decision applies for the period deter mined by the Speaker.
Other assignments appointed by elections within the Riksdag
The Regent Art. 20. At an election by secret ballot of a Regent, Deputy Regent, or a person qualified to hold office as a Regent ad interim under Chapter 5, Articles 5 and 7 of the Instrument of Government, the same procedure is applied as for the election of Speakers, in accordance with Chapter 3, Article 4, paragraph two. The election is valid until the Riksdag determi nes otherwise.
The General Council of the Riksbank Art. 21. Elections of members of the General Council of the Riksbank under Chapter 9, Article 13 of the Instrument of Government are valid for the electoral period of the Riksdag.
Obstacles to being a member of the General Council of the Riksbank Supplementary provision 13.21.1 A member of the General Council of the Riksbank may not: 1. be a minister; 2. be a member of the Executive Board of the Riksbank; 3. be a board member or deputy board member of a commercial bank
or other undertaking coming under the supervision of the Financial Supervisory Authority; or
4. hold any other employment or appointment which renders him or her unsuitable for appointment as a member of the General Council.
Nor may a member of the General Council be a minor, an undischarged bankrupt, debarred from trading or placed under administration under Chapter 11, Article 7 of the Parental Code. If a member accepts any employment or appointment that may conflict
with the rules of paragraph one, the Riksdag shall remove the member from his or her appointment to the General Council in response to a pro posal from the Committee on Finance. Any employment or appointment
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accepted by a member of the General Council shall be reported to the Riksdag.
Members of a convention for treaty amendments within the European Union Art. 22. From among its members the Riksdag shall appoint members and alternates for these members to conventions set up to prepare treaty amendments in the European Union. The Riksdag is to elect new mem bers and deputy members to the convention if a Riksdag election takes place while a convention is deliberating. Otherwise the provisions of Chapter 3 Article 5 and Chapter 12, Articles 6-8 and 11 apply to the elec tion of convention members and the provisions of Chapter 12 Article 10 apply to the duties of their deputies.
Convention members are to give an account of the convention’s deli berations during their meetings with the Chamber.
Further provisions Art. 23. The Riksdag may adopt more detailed provisions concerning Riksdag bodies and appoint representatives in certain cases.
The Riksbank Tercentenary Foundation Supplementary provision 13.23.1 The Riksdag determines statutes for the Riksdag Tercentenary Foundation and elects twelve members of the Board of the Foundation in accordance with Article 3 of the Foundation’s statutes (RFS 1988:1).
The Foundation shall report annually to the Riksdag on its activities.
The Judges Proposals Board Supplementary provision 13.23.2 In accordance with Section 4 of the Act on the appointment of permanent salaried judges (2010:1390), the Riksdag elects two members to represent the public in the Judges Proposals Board and one personal substitute for each of them.
Prosecution Art. 24. Prosecution of officials listed below in respect of offences com mitted in the exercise of their assignment or employment may be decided: 1. only by the Committee on Finance in the case of prosecution of a
member of the General Council of the Riksbank or a member of the Executive Board of the Riksbank; and
2. only by the Committee on the Constitution in the case of prosecution of a member of the Riksdag Board, the Election Review Board or the Riksdag Appeals Board, or one of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, of one of the Auditors General or of the Secretary-General of the Riksdag.
The provisions laid down in paragraph one concerning prosecution of a member of the Executive Board of the Riksbank shall not apply in respect of an offence committed in the exercise of the Riksbank’s decision-ma king powers under the Act on Exchange Control and Regulation of Credit (SFS 1992:1602).
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Chapter 14. The Riksdag Administration Contents of the chapter Art. 1. This chapter contains provisions on: – the Riksdag Administration (Articles 2 and 3); – the direction of the Riksdag Administration (Articles 4–7); and – prosecution (Article 8).
The Riksdag Administration
The tasks of the Riksdag Administration Art. 2. The Riksdag Administration shall provide support to the work of the Chamber, the Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs, as well as assist the members of the Riksdag and Riksdag bodies with factual information for their work in the Riksdag.
In addition, the Riksdag Administration shall, in respect of the Riksdag and authorities under the Riksdag, and to the extent determined by the Riksdag: 1. be responsible for central negotiations with the trade union organi
sations and represent the authorities under the Riksdag in the case of such disputes;
2. draw up proposals for appropriations under the central government budget, but not in respect of the National Audit Office;
3. deal with questions relating to the administration of the Riksdag in general, and questions concerning the financial administration of au thorities under the Riksdag other than the Riksbank; and
4. adopt regulations and recommendations concerning questions under points 1 to 3.
Secretariats of the Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs Supplementary provision 14.2.1 The Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs are assisted by secretariats which form part of the Riksdag Administration.
The head of such a secretariat shall be a Swedish citizen.
Instructions for the Riksdag Administration Art. 3. The Riksdag determines instructions for the Riksdag Administration.
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Direction of the Riksdag Administration
Secretary-General of the Riksdag Art. 4. The Secretary-General of the Riksdag is head of the Riksdag Administration, ensures that a record is kept of meetings of the Chamber, dispatches the decisions of the Riksdag, is Secretary of the War Delegation and assists the Speaker in the work of the Riksdag in other respects.
Election of the Secretary-General Art. 5. The Riksdag elects the Secretary-General of the Riksdag. The election is held at the start of the parliamentary session following an or dinary election to the Riksdag. It is valid from the time of the election, or another time determined by the Riksdag, until a new election of the Secretary-General has been held and he or she has taken up the appoint ment.
If the election is held by secret ballot, then the candidate who receives three quarters or more of the votes cast is elected. If no such majority is obtained, a new election is held. If no candidate receives three quarters or more of the votes cast on this occasion either, the election will be prepa red again.
Preparation of election of the Secretary-General of the Riksdag Supplementary provision 14.5.1 The election of the Secretary-General of the Riksdag shall be prepared by a group consisting of the Speaker and the group leaders.
Dismissal of the Secretary-General Art. 6. At the request of the Riksdag Board, the Riksdag may dismiss a Secretary-General of the Riksdag who has grossly neglected his or her commitments to the Riksdag.
Acting Secretary-General Art. 7. If the Riksdag is without a Secretary-General, the Riksdag shall elect a Secretary-General for such time until an ordinary Secretary- General has been elected and has taken up the appointment.
Appeals
Appeals against decisions by the Riksdag Administration Art. 8. Decisions by a Riksdag body in an administrative matter against which appeals may be lodged under special provisions are examined by an administrative court in cases determined by the Riksdag, and by the Riksdag Appeals Board in other cases.
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Transitional provisions 2014:801 1. This Act comes into force on 1 September 2014, when the Riksdag
Act (1974:153) will cease to apply. 2. If a law or other statute refers to provisions in the Riksdag Act
(1974:153) which have been superseded with provisions in this Act, the new provisions shall apply.
3. Regulations communicated pursuant to the Riksdag Act (1974:153) and which apply when this Act comes into force shall be considered to be communicated in accordance with this Act.
4. Decisions made pursuant to the Riksdag Act (1974:153) shall be considered to be made pursuant to this Act.
5. Elections that are carried out pursuant to the Riksdag Act (1974:153) shall be considered to be carried out pursuant to this Act.
6. Matters that are introduced within the Riksdag before 1 September 2014, but which have not yet been settled shall be dealt with in accor dance with this Act.
2015:382 (changes in supplementary provision 9.5.3 and in the appendix) 1 This Act comes into force on 1 September 2015. 2 The Act shall be applied for the first time with regard to the central
government budget in 2016.
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Appendix (Supplementary provision 7.5.1) 1. The Committee on the Constitution shall prepare matters concerning
a. legislation of a constitutional and general administrative nature; b. legislation concerning radio, television and film; c. freedom of expression, formation of public opinion and freedom of worship; d. financial support for the press and the political parties; e. the National Audit Office, in respect of the election of an Auditor General, the removal of an Auditor General from office and the prose cution of an Auditor General; f. the Riksdag, and authorities under the Riksdag in general, except for the Riksbank; g. the county administration and the division of the country into ad ministrative units; h. local self-government; i. the consent of the Riksdag to the prosecution of a member of the Riksdag or interference with the personal liberty of a member; and j. appropriations falling within expenditure area 1 Governance.
2. The Committee on Finance shall prepare matters concerning a. monetary, credit, currency and central government debt policy; b. the credit and finance markets; c. the commercial insurance market; d. the National Audit Office, insofar as these matters do not fall to the Committee on the Constitution to prepare; e. local government finance; f. the State as employer, national statistics, accounting, audits and administrative efficiency; g. State property and public procurement in general; h. other questions of administrative finance not solely concerned with a particular subject area; i. budgetary questions of a technical nature; and j. appropriations falling within expenditure areas 2 Economy and financial administration, 25 General grants to local government, 26 Interest on central government debt, etc. and 27 The contribution to the European Union.
3. The Committee on Taxation shall prepare matters concerning a. tax assessment and tax collection; b. the population registers; c. the enforcement service; and d. appropriations falling within expenditure area 3 Taxes, customs and enforcement.
4. The Committee on Justice shall prepare matters concerning a. the law courts; b. the leasehold and rent tribunals;
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c. the public prosecution service; d. the police service; e. forensic medicine; f. the correctional care system; g. the Penal Code, the Code of Judicial Procedure and acts of law which supersede or are closely associated with provisions of these Codes; and h. appropriations falling within expenditure area 4 Justice.
5. The Committee on Civil Affairs shall prepare matters concerning a. the Marriage, Children and Parents, Inheritance, Land, Commercial and Debt Enforcement Codes and acts of law which supersede or are related to provisions of these Codes, insofar as these matters do not fall to any other committee to prepare; b. insurance contract law; c. company law; d. law of torts; e. transport law; f. bankruptcy law; g. consumer policy; h. international private law; i. legislation on other matters having the nature of general private law; j. housing provision and other housing policy; k. legislation on planning and construction, as well as other closely related matters; l. water rights; m. expropriation, the formation of property units and land survey; and n. appropriations falling within expenditure area 18 Community plan ning, housing provision, construction and consumer policy.
6. The Committee on Foreign Affairs shall prepare matters concerning a. relations and agreements of the Realm with other states and with international organisations; b. development assistance to other countries; c. other foreign trade and international economic cooperation insofar as these matters do not fall to any other committee to prepare; and d. appropriations falling within expenditure areas 5 International coo peration, and 7 International development cooperation.
7. The Committee on Defence shall prepare matters concerning a. military and civil defence; b. emergency and rescue services; c. measures to reduce the vulnerability of society; d. nuclear safety and protection against radiation; e. maritime rescue and coastguard services insofar as these matters do not fall to any other committee to prepare; and
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f. appropriations falling within expenditure area 6 Defence and con tingency measures.
8. The Committee on Social Insurance shall prepare matters concerning a. the Social Insurance Code and acts of law which supersede or are related to provisions of these Codes, insofar as these matters do not fall to any other committee to prepare; b. family benefits; c. benefits in the event of sickness or occupational injury; d. benefits in old age; e. benefits to surviving dependants; f. housing support; g. sick pay; h. social security contributions; i. migration; j. Swedish citizenship; and k. appropriations falling within expenditure areas 8 Migration, 10 Financial security for the sick and disabled, 11 Financial security for the elderly and 12 Financial security for families and children.
9. The Committee on Health and Welfare shall prepare matters concerning a. care and welfare services for children and young people insofar as these matters do not fall to any other committee to prepare; b. care and welfare of the elderly and the disabled; c. measures to combat drug and alcohol abuse, and other social servi ces questions; d. alcohol policy measures; e. health and medical care; f. social welfare questions in general; and g. appropriations falling within expenditure area 9 Health care, medi cal care and social services.
10. The Committee on Cultural Affairs shall prepare matters concerning a. cultural and educational purposes in general; b. cultural heritage; c. popular education; d. youth activities; e. international cultural cooperation; f. sports and outdoor activities; g. supervision and regulation of the gaming market; h. religious communities, insofar as these do not fall to the Committee on the Constitution to prepare; i. radio and television, insofar as these do not fall to the Committee on the Constitution to prepare; and j. appropriations falling within expenditure area 17 Culture, media, religious communities and leisure activities.
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11. The Committee on Education shall prepare matters concerning a. the school system, certain special types of education and other edu cational activities; b. higher education, research and space issues; c. financial support for students; and d. appropriations falling within expenditure areas 15 Financial sup port for students and 16 Education and academic research.
12. The Committee on Transport and Communications shall prepare mat ters concerning
a. roads and road transport; b. railways and rail transport; c. ports and shipping; d. airports and civil aviation; e. postal services; f. electronic communications; g. IT policy; and h. appropriations falling within expenditure area 22 Transport and communications.
13. The Committee on Environment and Agriculture shall prepare matters concerning a. agriculture, forestry, horticulture, hunting and fishing; b. meteorological services; c. nature conservation; d. other environmental protection questions not falling to any other committee to prepare; and e. appropriations falling within expenditure areas 20 General en vironmental protection and nature conservation and 23 Land- and water-based industries, rural areas and food.
14. The Committee on Industry and Trade shall prepare matters concer ning
a. general guidelines for industry and trade policy and associated re search questions; b. industry and handicrafts; c. trade; d. intellectual property law; e. energy policy; f. regional growth policy; g. state-owned enterprises; h. price and competition conditions in the business sector; and i. appropriations falling within expenditure areas 19 Regional growth, 21 Energy and 24 Industry and trade.
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15. The Committee on the Labour Market shall prepare matters concer ning
a. labour market policy, including unemployment insurance; b. working life policy, including labour law, work environment and matters relating to wage formation; c. integration; d. measures to combat discrimination, insofar as these matters do not fall to any other committee to prepare; and e. equality between women and men, insofar as these matters do not fall to any other committee to prepare. f. appropriations falling within expenditure areas 13 Gender equality and introduction of newly arrived immigrants 14 Labour market and working life.
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The Act of Succession
We CARL, by the Grace of God, King of Sweden, the Goths, and the Wends, &c., &c., &c., Heir to Norway, Duke of Schleswig Holstein, Stormarn and Ditmarsen, Count of Oldenburg and Delmenhorst, &c., &c., hereby make known that We, after the unanimous acceptance and confir mation by the Estates of the Realm of the Act of Succession according to which the male heirs begotten by His Noble-Born Highness, the elected Crown Prince of Sweden, His Royal Highness Prince JOHAN BAPTIST JULIUS shall have the right to the throne of Sweden and to accede to the government of Sweden, and after the submission of this fundamental law for Our gracious approval, by virtue of the right accruing to Us according to Article 85 of the Instrument of Government, adopt, accept and confirm this Act of Succession approved by the Estates of the Realm exactly as follows word for word:
Act of Succession according to which the male heirs begotten by His Noble-Born Highness, the elected Crown Prince of Sweden, His Royal Highness Prince JOHAN BAPTIST JULIUS of Ponte-Corvo, shall have the right to the Royal thro ne of Sweden and to accede to the government of Sweden; adopted and confirmed by the King and the Estates of the Realm at the extraordinary session of the Riksdag in Örebro on September 26, 1810.
We, the undersigned Estates of the Realm of Sweden, counts, barons, bishops, knights, and nobility, clergy, burghers and peasants, now con vened in extraordinary general session of the Riksdag here in Örebro, hereby make known that, with the decease, without male heirs begot ten by him, of His Noble-Born Highness, the elected Crown Prince of Sweden, His Royal Highness Prince CARL AUGUST, and by our choice, as evidenced by the Act of Agreement and Election of August 21, 1810, of His Noble-Born Highness, Prince JOHAN BAPTIST JULIUS of Ponte-Corvo, as Crown Prince of Sweden, to succeed to the government of Sweden and its subordinate provinces His Royal Majesty, our present most gracious King and Lord, Carl XIII, after his death (be it long de ferred by the Grace of God Almighty) to be crowned and hailed as King of Sweden, and to govern the Realm, on the conditions specified in the abovenamed Act of Agreement and Election as well as in the Royal oath to be made, as required by us, by His Noble-Born Highness, we have this day determined and confirmed for the legitimate direct male heirs of His Royal Highness JOHAN BAPTIST JULIUS, Prince of Ponte-Corvo, the following order of succession to the crown and government of Sweden, applicable in the manner and on the conditions expressly set forth below.
Art. 1. The right of succession to the throne of Sweden is vested in the male and female descendants of King Carl XVI Gustaf, Crown Prince Johan Baptist Julii, later King Karl XIV Johan’s, issue in direct line of
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descent. In this connection, older siblings and their descendants have pre cedence over younger siblings and their descendants.
Art. 2. The provisions of this Act of Succession relating to The King shall relate to The Queen if The Queen is Head of State.
Art. 3. Repealed.
Art. 4. In accordance with the express provision of Article 2 of the Instrument of Government of 1809 that The King shall always profess the pure evangelical faith, as adopted and explained in the unaltered Confession of Augsburg and in the Resolution of the Uppsala Meeting of the year 1593, princes and princesses of the Royal House shall be brought up in that same faith and within the Realm. Any member of the Royal Family not professing this faith shall be excluded from all rights of suc cession.
Art. 5. A prince or princess of the Royal House may not marry unless the Government has given its consent thereto upon an application from The King. Should a prince or princess marry without such consent, that prince or princess forfeits the right of succession for himself, his children and their descendants.
Art. 6. Repealed.
Art. 7. The heir to the throne may not undertake travel abroad without the knowledge and consent of The King.
Art. 8. A prince or princess of the Swedish Royal House may not become the sovereign ruler of a foreign state whether by election, succession, or marriage without the consent of The King and the Riksdag. Should this occur, neither he nor she nor their descendants shall be entitled to succeed to the throne of Sweden.
Art. 9. Repealed.
In witness of the fact that all that has been thus prescribed is identical with our intent and decision we, representing all the Estates of the Realm of Sweden, hereto attach our names and seals, in Örebro, the twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ten.
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For and on behalf of the nobility For and on behalf of the clergy CLAES FLEMING JAC. AX. LINDBLOM
(L.S.) (L.S.)
For and on behalf of the burghers For and on behalf of the peasantry J. WEGELIN LARS OLSSON
(L.S.) (L.S.)
Everything as herein provided We not only accept for Ourselves as the unalterable fundamental law, but also direct and graciously command all who are united in loyalty, fealty and obedience to Us, Our successors and the Realm, to acknowledge, observe, abide by and obey this Act of Succession. In witness whereof We have this day with Our own hand sig ned and confirmed it, and duly affixed Our Royal seal thereto, in Örebro, on the twenty-sixth day of September, in the year of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ one thousand eight hundred and ten.
CARL (L.S.)
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The Freedom of the Press Act
Chapter 1. On the freedom of the press Art. 1. The freedom of the press is understood to mean the right of every Swedish citizen to publish written matter, without prior hindrance by a public authority or other public body, and not to be prosecuted thereafter on grounds of its content other than before a lawful court, or punished therefore other than because the content contravenes an express provision of law, enacted to preserve public order without suppressing information to the public.
In accordance with the principles set out in paragraph one concerning freedom of the press for all, and to secure the free exchange of opinion and availability of comprehensive information, every Swedish citizen shall be free, subject to the rules contained in this Act for the protection of private rights and public safety, to express his or her thoughts and opini ons in print, to publish official documents and to communicate informa tion and intelligence on any subject whatsoever.
All persons shall likewise be free, unless otherwise provided in this Act, to communicate information and intelligence on any subject whatsoever, for the purpose of publication in print, to an author or other person who may be deemed to be the originator of material contained in such printed matter, the editor or special editorial office, if any, of the printed matter, or an enterprise which professionally provides news or other information to periodical publications.
All persons shall furthermore have the right, unless otherwise provi ded in this Act, to procure information and intelligence on any subject whatsoever, for the purpose of publication in print, or in order to commu nicate information under the preceding paragraph.
Art. 2. No written matter shall be scrutinised prior to printing, nor shall it be permitted to prohibit the printing thereof.
Nor shall it be permitted for a public authority or other public body to take any action not authorised under this Act to prevent the printing or publication of written matter, or its dissemination among the general public, on grounds of its content.
Art. 3. No person may be prosecuted, held liable under penal law, or held liable for damages, on account of an abuse of the freedom of the press or complicity therein, nor may the publication be confiscated or impounded other than as prescribed and in the cases specified in this Act.
Art. 4. Any person entrusted with passing judgment on abuses of the free dom of the press or otherwise overseeing compliance with this Act should bear constantly in mind in this connection that the freedom of the press is fundamental to a free society, direct his or her attention always more to illegality of subject matter and thought than to illegality of expression,
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to the aim rather than the manner of presentation, and, in case of doubt, acquit rather than convict.
When determining penal sanctions for an abuse of the freedom of the press under this Act concerning a statement for which a correction has been demanded, special consideration shall be given to whether such a correction has been brought to the attention of the public in an appropriate manner.
Art. 5. This Act applies to all written matter produced using a printing press. It shall likewise apply to written matter duplicated by stencil, pho tocopying, or other similar technical process, provided: 1. a valid certificate of no legal impediment to publication exists in res
pect of the written matter; 2. or the written matter is supplied with a note indicating that it has been
duplicated and, in association therewith, clear information concerning the identity of the person who duplicated it and the year and place of duplication.
Rules in this Act which refer to written matter produced using a printing press, or to printing, shall apply in a similar manner to other written mat ter to which the Act applies under paragraph one, or to the duplication of such matter, unless otherwise indicated. Pictorial matter is classified as written matter even when there is no
accompanying text.
Art. 6. An item of printed matter shall not be deemed to be such unless it is published. Printed matter is deemed to have been published when it has been delivered for sale or dissemination by other means within Sweden. This does not however apply to printed documents of a public authority to which there is no public access. An item of printed matter shall not be deemed to have been delivered for dissemination in Sweden merely on the grounds of its being sent to a recipient abroad.
Art. 7. Periodical is understood to mean any newspaper, magazine or other such printed matter, which, according to its publishing schedule, is intended for publication in at least four issues or instalments a year, appearing at different times under a particular title, and posters and supp lements pertaining thereto. Once a certificate of no legal impediment to publication has been issued, a publication shall be deemed to be a perio dical until such time as the certificate is rescinded or is declared to have lapsed.
If the owner of a periodical disseminates or causes to be disseminated the contents of the periodical, or parts thereof, in the form of a radio pro gramme or technical recording under the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, the programme or technical recording shall be equated, in respect to the application of Chapters 1 to 14, with a supplement to the periodical, insofar as the version disseminated in such form reproduces the contents of the periodical in unaltered form and indicates how the
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contents have been disposed. A special obligation to record such program mes, and retain technical recordings and keep them available, may be laid down in law. Rules concerning the right to broadcast are contained in Chapter 3 of the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression.
Art. 8. Provisions laid down in law apply in respect of the rights of the originator of a work of literature or art or a photographic image, in respect of rights related to such copyright, and in respect of the ban on reprodu cing works of literature or art in such a way as to violate cultural values.
Art. 9. The provisions of this Act notwithstanding, rules laid down in law shall govern: 1. bans on commercial advertising insofar as the advertisement is
employed in the marketing of alcoholic beverages or tobacco pro ducts;
2. bans on commercial advertising employed in the marketing of goods other than tobacco products and services, if the advertisement conta ins a brand mark in use for a tobacco product, or which under current rules concerning trademarks is registered or established by custom in respect of such a product;
3. bans on commercial advertising introduced for the protection of health or the environment in accordance with obligations pursuant to accession to the European Communities;
4. bans on the publication, within the framework of professional credit information activities, of any credit information which improperly infringes on the personal privacy of an individual or contains false or misleading information; liability for damages for such publication; requirements for justified needs on the part of the party requesting the credit information; the obligation to notify the party about whom the information has been requested; and the correction of false or misle ading information; and
5. liability under penal law and liability for damages relating to the man ner in which an item of information or intelligence has been procured.
Art. 10. This Act does not apply to pornographic images of persons whose pubertal development is not complete or who are under the age of eighteen.
Chapter 2. On the public nature of official documents Art. 1. Every Swedish citizen shall be entitled to have free access to of ficial documents, in order to encourage the free exchange of opinion and the availability of comprehensive information.
Art. 2. The right of access to official documents may be restricted only if restriction is necessary with regard to:
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1. the security of the Realm or its relations with another state or an in ternational organisation;
2. the central fiscal, monetary or currency policy of the Realm; 3. the inspection, control or other supervisory activities of a public au
thority; 4. the interests of preventing or prosecuting crime; 5. the economic interests of the public institutions; 6. the protection of the personal or economic circumstances of individu
als; or 7. the preservation of animal or plant species.
Any restriction of the right of access to official documents shall be scru pulously specified in a provision of a special act of law, or, if deemed more appropriate in a particular case, in another act of law to which the special act refers. With authority in such a provision, the Government may however issue more detailed provisions for its application in an ordi nance.
The provisions of paragraph two notwithstanding, the Riksdag or the Government may be authorised, in a regulation under paragraph two, to permit the release of a particular document, with regard to the circumstan ces.
Art. 3. Document is understood to mean any written or pictorial matter or recording which may be read, listened to, or otherwise comprehended only using technical aids. A document is official if it is held by a public authority, and if it can be deemed under Article 6 or 7 to have been recei ved or drawn up by such an authority.
A recording under paragraph one is deemed to be held by a public authority if it is available to the authority using technical aids which the authority itself employs for communication in such form that it may be read, listened to, or otherwise comprehended. A compilation of infor mation taken from material recorded for automatic data processing is however regarded as being held by the authority only if the authority can make it available using routine means.
A compilation of information taken from material recorded for auto matic data processing is not however regarded as being held by the au thority if the compilation contains personal information and the authority is not authorised in law, or under an ordinance, to make the compilation available. Personal information is understood to mean any information which can be referred back directly or indirectly to an individual.
Art. 4. A letter or other communication which is directed in person to an official at a public authority is deemed to be an official document if it refers to a case or other matter falling within the authority’s purview, and if it is not intended for the addressee solely in his or her capacity as holder of another position.
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Art. 5. For the purposes of this Chapter, the Riksdag and any local go vernment assembly with decision-making powers is equated with a public authority.
Art. 6. A document is deemed to have been received by a public authority when it has arrived at the authority or is in the hands of a competent offi cial. A recording under Article 3, paragraph one, is instead deemed to have been received by the authority when it has been made available to the au thority by another in the manner indicated in Article 3, paragraph two.
Competition documents, tenders and other such documents which it has been advertised shall be delivered under sealed cover are deemed not to have been received before the time appointed for their opening.
Measures taken solely as part of the technical processing or technical storage of a document which a public authority has made available shall not be deemed to mean that the document has been received by that au thority.
Art. 7. A document is deemed to have been drawn up by a public au thority when it has been dispatched. A document which has not been dispatched is deemed to have been drawn up when the matter to which it relates has been finally settled by the authority, or, if the document does not relate to a specific matter, when it has been finally checked and appro ved by the authority, or has otherwise received final form.
The provisions of paragraph one notwithstanding, a document of the nature referred to below is deemed to have been drawn up: 1. in the case of a day book, ledger, or a register or other list that is kept
on an ongoing basis, when the document has been made ready for notation or entry;
2. in the case of a court ruling and other decision which shall be prono unced or dispatched under relevant provisions of law, or records and other documents insofar as they relate to such a decision, when the decision has been pronounced or dispatched; or
3. in the case of other records and comparable memoranda held by a public authority, when the document has been finally checked and approved by the authority or has otherwise received final form, but not the records of Riksdag committees, auditors of local authorities, official commissions of inquiry or local authorities where they relate to a matter dealt with solely in order to prepare the matter for deci sion.
Art. 8. If a body which forms part of, or is associated with, a public au thority or other similar organisation for public administration has trans ferred a document to another body within the same organisation, or has produced a document for the purpose of transferring it in this manner, the document is not deemed thereby to have been received or drawn up, other than if the bodies concerned act as independent entities in relation one to the other.
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Art. 9. Nor shall a memorandum which has been prepared at a public authority, but which has not been dispatched, be deemed to be an official document at that authority after the time at which it would be deemed to have been drawn up under Article 7, unless it has been accepted for filing and registration. Memorandum is understood to mean any aide memoire or other note or record produced solely for the preparation or oral presen tation of a matter, but not such part of it as contributes factual information to the matter.
Preliminary outlines or drafts of decisions or written communications of a public authority and other similar documents which have not been dispatched are not deemed to be official documents unless they have been accepted for filing and registration.
Art. 10. A document held by a public authority solely for the purpose of technical processing or technical storage on behalf of another is not de emed to be an official document held by that authority. A document held by a public authority solely for the purpose of re-creating information that has been lost in the authority’s regular system for automatic data proces sing (backup copy) is not deemed to be an official document.
Art. 11. The following documents are not deemed to be official docu- ments: 1. letters, telegrams, or other such documents delivered to or drawn up
by a public authority solely for the purpose of forwarding a commu nication;
2. notices or other documents delivered to or drawn up by a public au thority solely for the purpose of publication in a periodical published under the auspices of the authority;
3. printed matter, recordings of sound or pictures, or other documents forming part of a library or deposited by a private person in a public archive solely for the purpose of care and safekeeping, or for research and study purposes, and private letters, written matter or recordings otherwise transferred to a public authority solely for the purposes referred to above; and
4. recordings of the contents of documents under point 3, if such recor dings are held by a public authority, where the original document would not be deemed to be an official document.
The provisions of paragraph one, point 3, concerning documents forming part of a library do not apply to recordings held in databases to which a public authority has access under an agreement with another public autho rity, if the recording is an official document held by that authority.
Art. 12.An official document to which the public has access shall be made available on request forthwith, or as soon as possible, at the place where it is held, and free of charge, to any person wishing to examine it, in such form that it can be read, listened to, or otherwise comprehended. A document may also be copied, reproduced, or used for sound transmis
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sion. If a document cannot be made available without disclosure of such part of it as constitutes classified material, the rest of the document shall be made available to the applicant in the form of a transcript or copy.
A public authority is under no obligation to make a document avai lable at the place where it is held, if this presents serious difficulty. Nor is there any such obligation in respect of a recording under Article 3, pa ragraph one, if the applicant can have access to the recording at a public authority in the vicinity, without serious inconvenience.
Art. 13.A person who wishes to examine an official document is also en titled to obtain a transcript or copy of the document, or such part thereof as may be released, in return for a fixed fee. A public authority is however under no obligation to release material recorded for automatic data pro cessing in any form other than a printout except insofar as follows from an act of law. Nor is a public authority under any obligation to provide copies of maps, drawings, pictures, or recordings under Article 3, para graph one, other than in the manner indicated above, if this would present difficulty and the document can be made available at the place where it is held. Requests for transcripts or copies of official documents shall be dealt
with promptly.
Art. 14.A request to examine an official document is made to the public authority which holds the document.
The request is examined and approval granted by the authority indica ted in paragraph one. If there are special grounds, it may however be laid down in a provision under Article 2, paragraph two, that in applying this rule, examination and approval shall rest with another public authority. In the case of a document of central significance for the security of the Realm, it may also be laid down in an ordinance that only a particular authority shall be entitled to examine and approve questions relating to release. In the aforementioned cases, the request shall be referred to the competent authority forthwith.
No public authority is permitted to inquire into a person’s identity on account of a request to examine an official document, or inquire into the purpose of his or her request, except insofar as such inquiry is necessary to enable the authority to judge whether there is any obstacle to release of the document.
Art. 15. Should anyone other than the Riksdag or the Government reject a request to examine an official document, or release such a document with a proviso restricting the applicant’s right to disclose its contents or otherwise dispose over it, the applicant may appeal against the deci sion. An appeal against a decision by a minister shall be lodged with the Government, and an appeal against a decision by another authority shall be lodged with a court of law.
The act of law referred to in Article 2 shall set out in greater detail how an appeal against a decision under paragraph one shall be lodged. Such an appeal shall always be examined promptly.
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Special provisions apply to the right to appeal against decisions by authorities under the Riksdag.
Art. 16.A note concerning obstacles to the release of an official document may be made only on a document covered by a provision under Article 2, paragraph two. Such a note shall refer to the relevant provision.
Art. 17. It may be laid down in law that the Government, or a local go vernment assembly with decision-making powers, may determine that official documents relating to the activities of a public authority which are to be taken over by a private body may be transferred into the safekeeping of that body, if it requires the documents for its work, without the do cuments ceasing thereby to be official. In respect of documents transfer red in accordance with Articles 12 to 16 such a body shall be equated with a public authority.
It may also be laid down in law that the Government may determine that official documents may be transferred to the Church of Sweden, or any part of its organisation, for safekeeping, without the documents cea sing thereby to be official. This applies to documents received or drawn up no later than 31 December 1999 by: 1. public authorities which no longer exist and which performed tasks
relating to the activities of the Church of Sweden; or 2. decision-making assemblies of the Church of Sweden.
In respect of documents transferred in accordance with Articles 12 to 16, the Church of Sweden and any part of its organisation shall be equated with a public authority.
Art. 18. Basic rules concerning the storage, weeding and other disposal of official documents are laid down in law.
Chapter 3. On the right to anonymity Art. 1. An author of printed matter shall not be obliged to have his or her name, pseudonym or pen-name set out therein. This applies in a similar manner to a person who has communicated information under Chapter 1, Article 1, paragraph three, and to an editor of printed matter other than a periodical.
Art. 2. It shall not be permitted to inquire into the identity of an author or a person who has communicated information under Chapter 1, Article 1, paragraph three, in a case relating to an offence against the freedom of the press, nor shall it be permitted to inquire into the identity of the editor of non-periodical printed matter. However if, where non-periodical printed matter is concerned, the author or editor has been identified on the publication by name, or by means of a pseudonym or pen-name known generally to refer to a particular person, or if a person has acknowledged in a written statement that he or she is the author or editor, or has volun
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tarily made such a declaration before a court of law during the case, then the question of whether he or she is liable may be considered during the proceedings.
The provisions of paragraph one notwithstanding, the question of lia bility for an offence under Chapter 7, Article 3, may be examined in the same court proceedings as cases referred to therein.
Art. 3. A person who has engaged in the production or publication of printed matter, or material intended for insertion therein, and a person who has been active in an enterprise for the publication of printed matter, or an enterprise which professionally provides news or other material to periodicals, may not disclose what has come to his or her knowledge in this connection concerning the identity of an author, a person who has communicated information under Chapter 1, Article 1, paragraph three, or an editor of non-periodical printed matter. The duty of confidentiality under paragraph one shall not apply: 1. if the person in whose favour the duty of confidentiality operates has
given his or her consent to the disclosure of his or her identity; 2. if the question of identity may be raised under Article 2, paragraph
one; 3. if the matter concerns an offence specified in Chapter 7, Article 3,
paragraph one, point 1; 4. in cases where the matter concerns an offence under Chapter 7,
Article 2 or 3, paragraph one, point 2 or 3, a court of law deems it necessary for information to be produced during the proceedings as to whether the defendant, or the person suspected on reasonable grounds of the offence, has communicated information or contributed to an item; or
5. when, in any other case, a court of law deems it to be of exceptional importance, with regard to a public or private interest, for informa tion concerning identity to be produced on examination of witnesses or of a party in the proceedings under oath.
In examination under paragraph two, point 4 or 5, the court shall scrupu lously ensure that no questions are put which might encroach upon a duty of confidentiality in excess of what is permissible in each particular case.
Art. 4. No public authority or other public body may inquire into the identity of the author of material inserted, or intended for insertion, in printed matter, a person who has published, or who intends to publish, material in such matter, or a person who has communicated information under Chapter 1, Article 1, paragraph three, except insofar as this is ne cessary for the purpose of such prosecution or other action against him or her as is not contrary to the provisions of this Act. In cases in which such inquiries may be made, the duty of confidentiality under Article 3 shall be respected. Nor may a public authority or other public body intervene against a person because he or she has in printed matter made use of his or her freedom of the press or assisted therein.
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Art. 5. A person who, whether through negligence or by deliberate intent, inserts in printed matter the name, pseudonym or pen-name of the au thor, or, in a case under Article 1, the editor or source, against his or her wishes, or disregards a duty of confidentiality under Article 3, shall be sentenced to payment of a fine or to imprisonment for up to one year. The same penalty shall apply to a person who, whether through negligence or by deliberate intent, publishes in printed matter as that of the author, editor or source, the name, pseudonym or pen-name of a person other than the true author, editor or source.
Inquiries made in breach of Article 4, paragraph one, sentence one, if made deliberately, shall be punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to one year. Deliberate action in breach of Article 4, paragraph two, provided the said measure constitutes summary dismissal, notice of termination, imposition of a disciplinary sanction or similar measure, shall be punisha ble by a fine or imprisonment for up to one year.
Legal proceedings may be instituted on account of an offence under paragraph one only provided the injured party has reported the offence for prosecution.
Art. 6. For the purposes of this Chapter, a person deemed to be the ori ginator of material inserted or intended for insertion in printed matter is equated with an author.
Chapter 4. On the production of printed matter Art. 1. It shall be the right of every Swedish citizen and Swedish legal person to produce printed matter by means of a printing press, either alo ne or with the assistance of others.
Art. 2. Any written matter produced in the Realm using a printing press or duplicated here by stencil, photocopying, or other similar technical process, in respect of which a valid certificate of no legal impediment to publication exists, shall indicate clearly the identity of the person who printed or otherwise duplicated the matter, together with the year and place of duplication, if the matter is intended for publication in the Realm and is not classifiable as job printing or pictorial reproduction.
Chapter 1, Article 5, paragraph one lays down provisions concerning the publication of information under paragraph one in written matter du plicated by stencil, photocopying, or other similar technical process, in respect of which no valid certificate exists.
Art. 3. For the purposes of this Act, job printing or pictorial reproduction shall be understood to mean postcards and picture albums, visiting cards and notices, address cards, labels, forms, advertising matter, printed pac kaging, other commercial printed matter, and any other such printed mat ter, provided always that an abuse of the freedom of the press on account of the text or otherwise can be presumed to be ruled out.
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Art. 4. Provisions concerning an obligation to retain copies of printed matter for scrutiny and furnish copies of printed matter to libraries or ar chives are laid down in law.
Art. 5. A person producing written matter and thereby contravening the provisions of Article 2, paragraph one, shall be sentenced to payment of a fine or to imprisonment for up to one year.
Chapter 5. On the publication of periodicals Art. 1. The owner of a periodical shall be a Swedish citizen or Swedish legal person. It may be provided in law that also a foreign national or foreign legal person may be the owner of such a publication.
Art. 2. A periodical shall have a responsible editor. The responsible editor shall be a Swedish citizen. It may be provided
in law that also a foreign national may be a responsible editor. A responsible editor shall be domiciled within the Realm. No person
who is a minor or an undischarged bankrupt, or for whom an administra tor has been appointed under special provisions of law, may be a respon sible editor.
Art. 3. The responsible editor of a periodical shall be appointed by the owner.
The tasks of a responsible editor shall include the power to supervise the publication of the periodical and to determine its contents in such a way that nothing may be printed therein against his or her will. Any res triction of these powers shall be null and void.
Art. 4. Once a responsible editor has been appointed, it is the responsibi lity of the owner to notify the appointment to the public authority designa ted in law. The information provided shall include the responsible editor’s name and place of domicile. It shall be accompanied by proof that the responsible editor has the required qualifications and a declaration from the responsible editor that he or she has accepted the appointment.
Art. 5.A periodical may not be published until a certificate has been issu ed stating that no impediment exists under this Act to prevent its publica tion. Such a certificate is issued, on an application from the owner, by the authority referred to in Article 4. The application shall indicate the title, place of publication and publishing schedule of the periodical. A certificate of no legal impediment to publication may not be issued
until the name of a responsible editor has been notified under Article 4. An application for a certificate of no legal impediment to publication
may be rejected if the title of the periodical so closely resembles the title of a periodical for which a certificate has already been issued that the two may easily be confused.
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A certificate of no legal impediment to publication is valid for ten years from the date of issue. The certificate lapses thereafter. The decision that a certificate shall be deemed to have lapsed after the expiry of the ten- year period is taken by the authority referred to in Article 4. The certificate may be renewed for ten years at a time, with effect
from the expiry of the preceding ten-year period, on an application from the owner. An application for renewal may be made no sooner than one year before and no later than the expiry date. The same rules otherwise apply to an application for renewal of a certificate as applied in the case of the original application.
If an application for renewal has been received in due time, the cer tificate shall continue to be valid, the provisions of paragraphs four and five notwithstanding, until the decision resulting from the application has acquired legal force.
Art. 6.A certificate of no legal impediment to publication may be rescin ded: 1. if the owner has given notice that publication of the periodical has
ceased; 2. if the rights of ownership in the periodical have been transferred to a person who does not have the required qualifications;
3. if there is no responsible editor, or if the responsible editor does not have the required qualifications and a qualified responsible editor is not appointed forthwith;
4. if the periodical has not appeared within six months from the date on which the certificate of no legal impediment to publication was issu ed;
5. if at least four issues or instalments of the periodical specified in the certificate have not appeared at different times in either of the previo us two calendar years;
6. if within six months from the appearance of the first issue it becomes apparent that a certificate should not have been issued under the pro visions of Article 5, paragraph three; or
7. if the typographical appearance of the masthead of the periodical so resembles the masthead of another periodical for which a certificate has already been issued that the two may easily be confused and the matter is not rectified forthwith.
A decision to rescind a certificate is taken by the authority referred to in Article 4. In matters under paragraph one, points 2 to 7, the owner and the responsible editor are given an opportunity, if possible, to put forward their views.
Art. 7. If a certificate of no legal impediment to publication has been res cinded on account of a circumstance under Article 6, paragraph one, point
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2, 3, 5 or 7, or if the certificate has been declared to have lapsed, a certi ficate in respect of another periodical whose masthead so resembles the masthead of the original periodical that the two may easily be confused may not be issued without the owner’s consent, until two years have elap sed from the date on which the certificate was rescinded or lapsed.
Art. 8. If a responsible editor is no longer qualified, or if his or her ap pointment as a responsible editor has otherwise been terminated, it is the responsibility of the owner to provide forthwith for the appointment of a new responsible editor and to notify the appointment to the authority referred to in Article 4. The provisions of Article 4 apply to such notifica tion, which shall be accompanied, if possible, by proof that the previous responsible editor has been informed of the notification of a new name.
If the place of publication or the publishing schedule changes, the owner shall notify the authority referred to in Article 4 forthwith.
Art. 9. The responsible editor of a periodical may have one or more depu ties. These deputies are appointed by the responsible editor. When a depu ty is appointed, the authority referred to in Article 4 shall be notified ac cordingly. Notification shall be accompanied by proof that the deputy has the required qualifications for a responsible editor, by a declaration from the deputy that he or she has accepted the appointment and by a statement from the owner that he or she has approved the deputy.
The provisions of Article 2, paragraphs two and three, apply in a simi lar manner to deputies. If the appointment of a responsible editor is termi nated, an appointment as deputy also lapses.
Art. 10. Once the appointment of a deputy has been notified, the respon sible editor may authorise such a deputy, or, if there are two or more de puties, any one of them, to exercise in his or her place the powers vested in the responsible editor under Article 3.
If it can be presumed that a responsible editor will be continuously pre-vented for at least one month, by reason of ill health or for any other temporary cause, from exercising the powers vested in him or her as responsible editor, he or she shall delegate these powers to a deputy fort hwith. If no deputy exists, or if the appointment of the person or persons designated as a deputy or deputies is approaching termination, it shall be the responsibility of the responsible editor to provide as quickly as pos sible for the appointment of a deputy and to notify the appointment as laid down in Article 9.
Art. 11. The name of the responsible editor shall appear on each separate issue or instalment of a periodical.
If the responsible editor’s powers have been delegated to a deputy, each issue or instalment of the periodical concerned shall state that the deputy is acting as responsible editor; if this is done, the name of the re sponsible editor need not be given as well.
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Art. 12. If the owner of a periodical publishes the periodical without ha ving a certificate of no legal impediment to publication, or without being qualified;
or if the owner fails to provide for the appointment of a new respon sible editor or notify such an appointment as laid down in Article 8;
or if, in a case under Article 10, paragraph two, a responsible editor neglects to delegate his or her powers to a deputy;
or if a person publishes a periodical the publication of which has been declared prohibited under this Act, or which is manifestly a continuation of such a periodical;
or if a person allows his or her name to appear on a periodical as re sponsible editor or responsible deputy editor without being qualified; the penalty is a fine. If the contents of the periodical have been decla
red to be criminal, or if the circumstances are otherwise exceptionally aggravating, the penalty is imprisonment for up to one year.
Art. 13. The penalties specified in Article 12 apply also to a person who knowingly submits false information in an application or notification under this Chapter, or a declaration appended to such an application or notification.
Art. 14. If the owner of a periodical fails to report a new place of publica tion or a new publishing schedule under Article 8, the penalty is a mone tary fine.
If a responsible editor breaches the provisions of Article 11 the penalty is a monetary fine. This applies in a similar manner to a deputy acting as a responsible editor.
Chapter 6. On the dissemination of printed matter Art. 1. It shall be the right of every Swedish citizen and Swedish legal person to sell, consign, or otherwise disseminate printed matter, either alone or with the assistance of others.
Art. 2. The provisions of this Act notwithstanding, provisions laid down in law shall apply in cases in which a person: 1. exhibits a pornographic picture on or at a public place, by displaying
it or the like, in a manner liable to cause offence to the general public, or sends such a picture by post or other means to another person who has not ordered it in advance; or
2. disseminates among children and young persons printed matter which by reason of its content might have a brutalising effect, or otherwise seriously put at risk the moral guidance of the young.
More detailed rules concerning the dissemination of maps of Sweden or parts thereof which contain information of significance for the defence of
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the Realm, and dissemination of plans or pictures of a similar nature, are laid down in law.
Art. 3. If written matter under Chapter 4, Article 2, paragraph one, lacks the information prescribed therein, or if such information, or information provided under Chapter 1, Article 5, paragraph one, point 2, in written matter referred to therein is incorrect, and this fact is known to the disse minator, the penalty is a monetary fine.
The penalty for the dissemination of printed matter which, to the knowledge of the disseminator, has been impounded or confiscated, or published in violation of a ban issued under this Act, or which manifestly constitutes a continuation of printed matter the publication of which has thus been prohibited, is a fine or imprisonment for up to one year.
Art. 4. The consignment of printed matter by post or other common car rier shall not be subject to special restrictions or conditions on grounds of content. This shall not however apply to the consignment of printed mat ter which constitutes a violation of the provisions of Article 3.
A common carrier who has accepted printed matter for carriage shall not be deemed to be a disseminator.
Chapter 7. On offences against the freedom of the press Art. 1. For the purposes of this Act, an offence against the freedom of the press is understood to mean an offence under Articles 4 and 5.
Art. 2. No statement in an advertisement or other similar communication shall be deemed an offence against the freedom of the press if it is not readily apparent from the content of the communication that liability for such an offence may be incurred. If the communication is punishable un der law, having regard also to circumstances which are not readily appa rent from its content, the relevant provisions of law apply. The foregoing applies in a similar manner to a communication conveyed in cypher or by other means secret from the general public. Art. 3. If a person communicates information under Chapter 1, Article 1, paragraph three, or if, without being responsible under the provisions of Chapter 8, he or she contributes to material intended for insertion in printed matter, as author or other originator or as editor, thereby rendering himself or herself guilty of: 1. high treason, espionage, gross espionage, gross unauthorised traffick
ing in secret information, insurrection, treason or betrayal of country, or any attempt, preparation or conspiracy to commit such an offence;
2. wrongful release of an official document to which the public does not have access, or release of such a document in contravention of a res triction imposed by a public authority at the time of its release, where the act is deliberate; or
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3. deliberate disregard of a duty of confidentiality, in cases specified in a special act of law; provisions of law concerning liability for such an offence apply.
If a person procures information or intelligence for a purpose referred to in Chapter 1, Article 1, paragraph four, thereby rendering himself or herself guilty of an offence under paragraph one, point 1 of this Article, provisions of law concerning liability for such an offence apply.
The provisions of Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government shall apply also in respect of proposals for provisions under paragraph one, point 3.
Art. 4. With due regard to the purpose of freedom of the press for all un der Chapter 1, the following acts shall be deemed to be offences against the freedom of the press if committed by means of printed matter and if they are punishable under law: 1. high treason, committed with intent to bring the Realm or any part of
it under the subjection of a foreign power or render the Realm de pendent on such a power by violent or other unlawful means or with foreign assistance, or to detach a part of the Realm by such means, or with foreign assistance to induce or prevent acts or decisions of the Head of State, the Government, the Riksdag, the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court, insofar as the act implies a risk that the intent will be realised; any attempt, preparation or conspiracy to commit such high treason;
2. instigation of war, insofar as a danger that the Realm will be drawn into war or other hostilities is provoked with foreign assistance;
3. espionage, whereby, in order to assist a foreign power, a person con veys, consigns or discloses without due authority information concer ning defence installations, armaments, storage installations, import, export, mode of fabrication, negotiations, decisions or other circum stances the disclosure of which to a foreign power could cause detri ment to the total defence system or otherwise to the security of the Realm, regardless of whether the information is correct; any attempt, preparation or conspiracy to commit such espionage;
4. unauthorised trafficking in secret information, whereby a person, with-out due authority but with no intent to assist a foreign power, conveys, consigns or discloses information concerning any circum stance of a secret nature, the disclosure of which to a foreign power could cause detriment to the defence of the Realm or the national supply of goods in the event of war or exceptional conditions resul ting from war, or otherwise to the security of the Realm, regardless of whether the information is correct; any attempt or preparation aimed at such unauthorised trafficking in secret information; conspiracy to commit such an offence, if the offence is gross, having particular re gard to whether the act involved assistance to a foreign power or was exceptionally dangerous having regard to an existing state of war,
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or concerned circumstances of major significance, or if the offender disclosed information entrusted to him or her in conjunction with public or private employment;
5. carelessness with secret information, whereby through gross negli gence a person commits an act referred to in point 4;
6. insurrection, committed with intent to overthrow the form of go vernment by force of arms or otherwise by violent means, or induce or prevent by such means acts or decisions of the Head of State, the Government, the Riksdag, the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court, insofar as the act implies a risk that the intent will be realised; any attempt, preparation or conspiracy to commit such insurrection;
7. treason or betrayal of country, insofar as a person thereby, when the Realm is at war or provisions of law relating to such offences other wise apply, misleads or betrays persons active in the defence of the Realm or induces them to mutiny, break faith or lose heart, or betrays property of significance for the total defence system, or commits any other similar treasonable act which is liable to cause detriment to the total defence system or which involves assistance to the enemy; any attempt, preparation or conspiracy to commit such treason or betrayal of country;
8. carelessness injurious to the interests of the Realm, whereby a person through negligence commits an act referred to in point 7;
9. dissemination of rumours which endanger the security of the Realm, whereby, when the Realm is at war or provisions of law relating to such offences otherwise apply, a person spreads false rumours or other false statements liable to endanger the security of the Realm, or communicates or promotes the communication of such rumours or statements to a foreign power, or disseminates among members of the armed forces false rumours or other false statements liable to provoke disloyalty or to dishearten;
10. sedition, whereby a person exhorts or otherwise seeks to encourage criminal acts, neglect of civil obligations, disobedience to a public authority or neglect of duty incumbent upon a serving member of the armed forces;
11. agitation against a population group, whereby a person threatens or expresses contempt for a population group or other such group with allusion to race, colour, national or ethnic origin, religious faith or sexual orientation;
12. offences against civil liberty, whereby a person makes unlawful threats with intent to influence the formation of public opinion or encroach upon freedom of action within a political organisation or professional or industrial association, thereby imperilling the freedom of expression, freedom of assembly or freedom of association; any attempt to commit such an offence against civil liberty;
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13. unlawful portrayal of violence, whereby a person portrays sexual violence or coercion in pictorial form with intent to disseminate the image, unless the act is justifiable having regard to the circumstances;
14. defamation, whereby a person alleges that another is criminal or blameworthy in his or her way of life, or otherwise communicates information liable to expose another to the contempt of others, and, if the person defamed is deceased, the act causes offence to his or her survivors, or might otherwise be considered to violate the sanctity of the grave except, however, in cases in which it is justifiable to com municate information in the matter, having regard to the circumstan ces, and proof is presented that the information was correct or there were reasonable grounds for the assertion;
15. insulting language or behaviour, whereby a person insults another by means of offensive invective or allegations or other insulting beha viour towards him or her;
16. unlawful threats, whereby a person threatens another with a criminal act, in a manner liable to engender in the person threatened serious fears for the safety of his or her person or property or that of another;
17. threats made against a public servant, whereby a person, threatening violence, attacks another in the exercise of his or her public authority, or any other activity accorded the same protection as is associated with the exercise of public authority, or as an accessory in an activity accorded such protection, for the purpose of coercing or preventing the other from taking action therein, or in retaliation for such action, or whereby a person thus attacks a person who was previously enga ged in such activity or as an accessory therein, on account of his or her acts or omissions in this context; any attempt or preparation so to threaten a public servant, unless the offence, if realised, would have been deemed to be petty; or
18. perversion of the course of justice, whereby a person, threatening violence, attacks another because he or she has filed a complaint, brought charges, testified or otherwise made a statement under exa mination before a court of law or other public authority, or in order to deter him or her from such action, or whereby a person attacks another threatening action which would result in suffering, injury or nuisance, because he or she has testified or otherwise made a state ment under examination before a public authority, or in order to pre vent him or her from making such a statement.
Art. 5. Offences against the freedom of the press shall also include any act committed by means of printed matter and punishable under law whe reby a person: 1. deliberately publishes an official document to which the public does
not have access, if he or she obtained access to the document in the public service, while carrying out official duties or in any other com parable circumstance;
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2. publishes information, and thereby deliberately disregards a duty of confidentiality under the special act of law referred to in Article 3, paragraph one, point 3;
3. publishes information, when the Realm is at war or exposed to the immediate danger of war, concerning facts the disclosure of which constitutes an offence against the security of the Realm other than an offence under Article 4.
Art. 6. Provisions of law relating to penal sanctions for offences under Articles 4 and 5 apply also in a case in which the offence is deemed to be an offence against the freedom of the press.
Provisions concerning private claims on account of offences against the freedom of the press are laid down in Chapter 11. If the defendant is convicted of an offence specified in Article 4, point 14 or 15, and the printed matter is a periodical, an order may be issued, on request, for the verdict to be inserted in the periodical.
Art. 7. Printed matter containing an offence against the freedom of the press may be confiscated. Confiscation of printed matter means the destruction of all copies
intended for dissemination and the taking of such action with respect to forms, lithographic stones, stereotypes, plates and other such material adapted exclusively to the printing of the matter as will render impossible their misuse.
Art. 8. In conjunction with the confiscation of a periodical, publication of the periodical may be prohibited in the case of an offence referred to in Article 4, points 1 to 3, point 4, insofar as the offence is to be regarded as gross, and points 6 and 7, for a particular period to be determined by the court, but not exceeding six months from the date on which the court’s ruling in the freedom of the press case acquired legal force. Such a ban may however be issued only when the country is at war.
General provisions of law applying to forfeiture of objects on account of an offence apply to the confiscation of a periodical disseminated in violation of a ban on publication, or manifestly constituting a continuation of a periodical specified in such a ban.
Chapter 8. Liability rules On liability for periodicals Art. 1. Liability under penal law for an offence against the freedom of the press committed by means of a periodical lies with the person notified as responsible editor at the time when the periodical was published. If a deputy had been notified and was acting as responsible editor, the
deputy is liable.
Art. 2. If no certificate of no legal impediment to publication existed at the time when the periodical was published, or if the responsible editor
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liable under Article 1, paragraph one, was no longer qualified, or his or her appointment as responsible editor had otherwise been terminated, the owner is liable.
The owner is likewise liable in a case in which the responsible editor was appointed for appearance’s sake, or was otherwise manifestly not in possession of the powers stipulated in Chapter 5, Article 3, at the time when the periodical was published. If a deputy acting as responsible editor was no longer qualified at the
time when the periodical was published, or if his or her appointment had otherwise been terminated, or if a circumstance specified in paragraph two applied in respect of the deputy, the responsible editor is liable.
Art. 3. If it is impossible to establish the identity of the owner at the time when the periodical was published, the printer is liable in place of the owner.
Art. 4. If a person disseminates a periodical which lacks information concerning the name of the printer, or if such information is known to the disseminator to be incorrect and the identity of the printer cannot be ascertained, the disseminator is liable in place of the printer.
On liability for non-periodical printed matter Art. 5. Liability under penal law for an offence against the freedom of the press committed by means of non-periodical printed matter lies with the author, if he or she has been identified as the author of the printed matter in the manner prescribed in Chapter 3, Article 2. The author is not, however, liable if the matter was published without his or her consent, or if his or her name, pseudonym, or pen-name appeared therein against his or her will.
Art. 6. If an author is not liable under Article 5 for matter which includes or is intended to include contributions from several authors, and if a par ticular editor has been identified in the manner prescribed in Chapter 3, Article 2, the editor is liable.
In the case of printed matter other than printed matter under paragraph one, the editor is liable only if the author was deceased when the matter was published.
The editor is not liable if his or her name, pseudonym, or pen-name appeared on the matter against his or her will.
The editor of non-periodical printed matter is understood to be the person who, without being the author, delivers the matter for printing and publication.
Art. 7. If neither the author nor the editor is liable under Article 5 or 6, or if, when the matter was published, he or she was deceased, the publisher is liable.
The publisher of non-periodical printed matter is understood to be the person who has undertaken to print and publish the writings of another.
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Art. 8. If there was no publisher, or if the identity of the publisher cannot be ascertained, the printer is liable in place of the publisher.
Art. 9. The provisions of Article 4 apply in a similar manner to the liabili ty of a disseminator of non-periodical printed matter.
Provisions applying to all printed matter Art. 10. If the person who would have been liable under Article 2, 5, 6 or 7 at the time of publication of the printed matter has no known place of domicile within the Realm, and if his or her current whereabouts within the Realm cannot be ascertained in the case, liability shall pass to the per son liable next thereafter, but not to the editor of non-periodical printed matter other than in a case under Article 6, paragraph one, or to a dissemi nator.
The same applies if a circumstance pertained in respect of the person liable under Article 1, 2, 5, 6 or 7 which according to law excluded crimi nal responsibility, and if the person liable next thereafter was aware of, or should have been aware of, the circumstance.
Art. 11. A circumstance which would result in the liability under this Chapter of a person other than the defendant shall be taken into considera tion only if the circumstance was adduced prior to the main hearing.
Art. 12. In determining the liability of a person responsible for printed matter under this Chapter, the content of the matter shall be deemed to have been inserted with the knowledge and consent of the person concer ned.
Chapter 9. On supervision and prosecution Art. 1. The Chancellor of Justice shall monitor that the limits set in this Act for the freedom of the press are not transgressed.
Art. 2. The Chancellor of Justice is sole prosecutor in cases concer ning of-fences against the freedom of the press. No one other than the Chancellor of Justice may institute a preliminary investigation concerning offences against the freedom of the press. Only the Chancellor of Justice and a court of law may approve coercive measures on suspicion that such an offence has been committed, unless otherwise provided in this Act.
The Government has the right to report printed matter to the Chancellor of Justice for prosecution on account of an offence against the freedom of the press. It may be laid down in an act of law that legal pro ceedings on account of an offence against the freedom of the press may be instituted only with the Government’s consent.
The Chancellor of Justice is likewise sole prosecutor in freedom of the press cases which are not cases concerning offences against the freedom of the press, and in cases otherwise relating to violations of regulations contained in this Act: provisions of law however regulate the right of the Parliamentary Ombudsman to act as prosecutor in cases of this nature.
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Art. 3. Legal proceedings on account of an offence against the freedom of the press shall be instituted, in the case of a periodical for which a valid certificate of no legal impediment to publication existed at the time of publication, within six months, and in the case of other printed matter, within one year from the date of publication, with effect that the matter shall otherwise be exempt from such proceedings. This provision notwith standing, if such proceedings have been instituted within the time spe cified, fresh proceedings may nevertheless be instituted against another person who is liable in respect of the offence.
Provisions of law governing the period within which an offence must be prosecuted if penal sanctions are not to lapse apply also with respect to offences against the freedom of the press.
Art. 4. Provisions of law govern the right of a private plaintiff to report an offence against the freedom of the press or bring charges on account of such an offence.
Art. 5. If no one is liable under Chapter 8 for the offence, or if no sum mons can be served within the Realm on the person liable, the prosecutor or the plaintiff may apply to have the printed matter confiscated instead of instituting legal proceedings.
Chapter 10. On special coercive measures Art. 1. If there are grounds for the possible confiscation of printed matter on account of an offence against the freedom of the press, the printed matter may be impounded pending a decision.
In a case under Chapter 7, Article 8, an order may also be issued prohibiting publication of a periodical pending a decision by the court.
Art. 2. If the offence falls within the scope of public prosecution, the Chancellor of Justice may order the printed matter to be impounded, and publication prohibited under Article 1, before proceedings have been in stituted on account of an offence against the freedom of the press, or app lication made to the court for confiscation of the printed matter. It may be laid down in law that a public prosecutor may be similarly empowered to order material to be impounded within his or her jurisdiction.
Art. 3. If impoundment has been effected without a court order, the per son affected may demand to have the matter examined before a court of law.
When a public prosecutor has ordered material to be impounded, the Chancellor of Justice shall be notified promptly. The Chancellor of Justice shall determine immediately whether the order shall be upheld.
Art. 4. When the Chancellor of Justice has ordered material to be im pounded or has confirmed an order issued by a public prosecutor, legal proceedings shall be instituted, or application made for confiscation of the printed matter, within two weeks from the date on which the Chancellor
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of Justice pronounced his or her decision. Failing such action, the im poundment order and any accompanying order prohibiting publication lapse.
Art. 5. Once legal proceedings have been instituted for an offence against the freedom of the press or an application has been made to the court for printed matter to be confiscated, the court is entitled to order the matter to be impounded and publication prohibited, or to rescind an impoundment order or order prohibiting publication which has already been issued.
In reaching its decision in such a case, the court shall determine whether an order which has been issued shall continue in force. If the case is dismissed because the court is not competent, or if the court otherwise dismisses the case without determining whether the printed matter is of a criminal nature, and if there is reason to suppose that there will be an app lication for confiscation in another case, the court may confirm the order for a particular period which the court determines. If no proceedings are instituted within this period, the order lapses.
Art. 6. An impoundment order shall contain a statement indicating the passage or passages in the printed matter which occasioned the order and applies only to the volume, part, issue or instalment in which these passa ges occur.
Art. 7. The police authority shall execute an impoundment order immedi ately.
Chapter 6, Article 3 contains provisions of law concerning the prohibi tion of the dissemination of any item of printed matter which is subject to an impoundment order.
Art. 8. Impoundment of printed matter shall relate only to copies intended for dissemination.
Proof of impoundment of printed matter shall be provided as soon as possible, and free of charge, both to the person against whom impound ment was effected and to the person who printed the material. Such proof shall indicate the passage or passages in the printed matter which occa sioned the impoundment order.
Art. 9. When an impoundment order has been rescinded or has lapsed, execution of impoundment is reversed forthwith.
Art. 10. Repealed.
Art. 11. If the Realm is at war or exposed to the danger of war and printed matter is discovered at a unit of the armed forces which manifestly con stitutes such criminal sedition under Chapter 7, Article 4, as may induce members of the armed forces to neglect their duties, the printed matter may be taken into safekeeping pending issue of an impoundment order, on a decision by the officer competent in law to decide matters of discipli nary responsibility in respect of the unit concerned.
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If delay may prove detrimental, action under paragraph one may also be taken by another officer under provisions laid down in law, in the ab sence of a decision under paragraph one. Such action shall however be reported promptly to the officer referred to in paragraph one. This officer shall consider forthwith whether the printed matter shall remain in safe keeping.
Art. 12. When a decision has been made to take printed matter into safe keeping under the provisions of Article 11, the Chancellor of Justice shall be notified as soon as possible. The Chancellor of Justice then considers forthwith whether the printed matter shall be impounded.
Art. 13. General provisions of law applying to the impoundment of ob jects which may be declared forfeit apply to the impoundment of a peri odical disseminated in violation of an order prohibiting publication, or manifestly constituting a continuation of a periodical, the publication of which has thus been prohibited.
Art. 14. A copy of printed matter which can reasonably be presumed to have significance for the investigation of a freedom of the press case may be impounded. The provisions of Articles 2 and 3; 5, paragraph one; 6; 7, paragraph one; and 9 apply. General provisions of law relating to impoundment apply in relevant parts. Legal proceedings shall however always be instituted within one month from the date on which the im poundment order was issued, if the court does not allow an extension in response to a submission from the Chancellor of Justice.
Chapter 11. On private claims for damages Art. 1. A private claim for damages based on an abuse of the freedom of the press may be pursued only on grounds that the printed matter to which the claim relates contains an offence against the freedom of the press. Unless otherwise provided below, such a claim may be pursued only against the person liable under penal law for the offence under Chapter 8. If, by reason of circumstances under Chapter 8, Article 10, liability has passed to such a person, the claim may also be pursued against the person liable forthwith before him or her, provided that, and to the extent that, grounds exist in law for the pursuit of such a claim.
The provisions of Chapter 8, Article 12, concerning liability under penal law apply also with regard to private claims for damages.
Relevant provisions of law apply with regard to private claims for damages in respect of offences under Chapter 7, Article 2 or 3.
Art. 2. A private claim for damages which may be pursued against the responsible editor of a periodical or his or her deputy may be pursued also against the owner. In the case of other printed matter, a claim which may be pursued against the author or editor may be pursued also against the publisher.
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Art. 3. If a person is liable for damages on account of an offence against the freedom of the press as legal representative of a legal person, or as a guardian, trustee or administrator, the claim for damages may also be pursued against the legal person, or the person for whom the guardian, trustee or administrator was appointed, provided that, and to the extent that, grounds exist in law for the pursuit of such a claim.
Art. 4. If a person is liable together with another person for damages un der this Chapter, such persons are liable jointly and separately. The appor tionment of liability between the parties is determined in accordance with relevant provisions of law.
Art. 5. A private claim for damages may be pursued on account of an offence against the freedom of the press even if liability under penal law has lapsed or an action under penal law is otherwise excluded.
Chapter 12. On court proceedings in freedom of the press cases Art. 1. Freedom of the press cases are heard by the district court within whose jurisdiction the county administration has its seat. Should any reason prompt the designation of another district court within the county administrative district to hear freedom of the press cases, the Government may adopt an ordinance to this effect.
Freedom of the press cases are cases concerning liability under penal law or private claims for damages on account of offences against the freedom of the press, and application cases under Chapter 9, Article 5. Freedom of the press cases also include cases concerning liability under penal law and private claims for damages in relation to offences under Chapter 7, Article 3. If the case concerns an offence under paragraph two of the last-named Article, and if the person who procured the information or intelligence has not published it in printed matter or communicated it to some other person for the purpose of such publication, the case shall however be tried as a freedom of the press case only provided it is mani fest that the information was procured for the purpose of publication in printed matter.
Art. 2. In freedom of the press cases in which there is a question of lia bility under penal law, the question of whether an offence has been com mitted shall be tried by a jury of nine members, unless both parties have declared themselves willing to refer the case for decision by the court, without trial by jury. The question of whether the defendant is liable for the printed matter under Chapter 8 is however always tried by the court sitting alone. When the question of whether an offence has been commit ted is tried by a jury, the answer shall be deemed to be in the affirmative if at least six members of the jury concur in that opinion. If the jury finds that no offence has been committed, the defendant
shall be acquitted. If the jury finds that an offence has been committed,
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the question shall also be examined by the court. If the opinion of the court differs from that of the jury, the court is entitled to acquit the defen dant or apply a penal provision carrying a milder sanction than that app lied by the jury. A superior court to which the judgment of a district court has been referred on appeal is no more entitled than the district court to overturn the jury’s verdict.
Art. 3. Jurors shall be appointed for each county administrative district, and are divided into two groups, with 16 jurors in the first group and 8 in the second. In the case of the Stockholm county administrative district, the first group shall however consist of 24 jurors and the second of 12. The jurors in the second group shall hold currently, or shall have held previously, appointments as lay assessors of a court of general jurisdiction or a public administrative court.
Art. 4. Jurors are appointed, by election, for a period of four calendar years.
Jurors shall be elected by the county council of the county adminis trative district or, where the county administrative district includes a municipality which does not come under the county council, by the coun ty council and the council of the municipality concerned. Jurors in the Gotland county administrative district are elected by the Gotland munici pal council. If, under the foregoing, jurors are to be elected by more than one electoral body, the county administrative board shall apportion the number of jurors in each group among the electoral bodies in proportion to population.
When a juror is to be elected the district court shall notify the authori ty responsible for arranging the election to this effect.
Art. 5. Jurors shall be appointed from among Swedish citizens domiciled in the county administrative district for which they are to be appointed. They should be known for their soundness of judgment, independence and fairmindedness. Different social groups and currents of opinion, and different parts of the county administrative district, should be represented among the jurors. No person who is a minor or for whom an administrator has been appointed under special provisions of law may be a juror.
Art. 6. A juror who has attained the age of sixty has the right to resign his or her appointment. If in any other circumstances a juror wishes to retire, the district court considers whether valid cause exists to prevent him or her from carrying out his or her duties. If a juror ceases to be eligible for election, the appointment lapses.
Art. 7. If a juror retires or ceases to be eligible for election, the electoral body shall appoint another person from among the group of jurors to which he or she belonged to replace him or her for the remainder of the electoral period. Such a juror may be elected by the county council execu tive committee in place of the county council: such an election is however valid only until the county council next meets.
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Art. 8. Appeals concerning the election of a juror shall be lodged with the district court. The court examines the qualifications of those elected even if no appeal is lodged.
Provisions of law relating to appeals against decisions of an inferior court apply to appeals against decisions of a district court on a matter under paragraph one. There is no right of appeal against the decision of the court of appeal.
If an appeal is lodged, the election nevertheless remains valid unless the court rules otherwise.
Art. 9. The names of persons appointed to serve as jurors shall be entered on a list of jurors. Each group shall be entered separately on this list.
Art. 10. In a case which is to be tried by a jury, the court shall present the list of jurors and consider whether there are grounds for disqualifying any person on the list. Provisions of law relating to the disqualification of judges apply to the disqualification of jurors. The jury is empanelled thereafter from among the undisqualified ju
rors in such a way that each party is permitted to exclude three jurors in the first group and one in the second, and the court then selects by lot a sufficient number of deputies from among the remaining jurors to leave six in the first group and three in the second.
In the case of a jury in the Stockholm county administrative district, each party is permitted to exclude five jurors in the first group and two in the second.
Art. 11. If there are several parties on one side, only one of whom wis hes to exercise his or her right to exclude jurors, an exclusion made by that party is deemed to be an exclusion made also by the other parties. If co-parties wish to exclude different jurors, and are unable to reach agre ement, the court makes the exclusion by lot.
Art. 12. No person may avoid jury service without legal cause. If the number of members required in a group cannot be made up
because of disqualification or legal excuse, the court nominates three qu alified group members for each juror required. Each party is permitted to exclude one of the persons so nominated. No one may be nominated as a juror who has already been excluded in the same proceedings.
Art. 13. If several cases in which a jury is to act are being heard concur rently, the court may rule, after conferring with the parties, that the same jury shall act in all the cases. If a jury is to be empanelled jointly for two or more cases, the provisions of Article 11 concerning the exclusion of jurors in a case in which there is more than one party on one side apply in a similar manner.
Art. 14. If, in proceedings concerning liability under penal law, an action for damages is brought against a person other than the defendant, the measures which fall under Article 2, paragraph one, Article 10, paragraph
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two, and Article 12, paragraph two, to be taken by a respondent fall to the defendant.
If an action is brought which is not connected with criminal procee dings but concerns confiscation of printed matter or a private claim for damages, the provisions of Articles 2 and 10 to 13 apply concerning court proceedings in the case; if, however, the question of whether an offence has been committed has already been examined in a freedom of the press case concerning liability under penal law, the same question shall not be re-examined. In an application case, the exclusion of jurors, which other wise falls to the parties in the case, is made by the court by lot.
Art. 15. More detailed provisions regarding court proceedings in freedom of the press cases are laid down in law.
Where there are several district courts in one county administrative district which are competent to hear freedom of the press cases, the duties specified in Articles 4, 6, 8 and 9 shall be carried out by the district court designated by the Government.
Art. 16. For cases in which the country is at war or exposed to the danger of war, or such exceptional conditions prevail as result from the war or danger of war to which the country has been exposed, provisions may be laid down in an act of law or in an ordinance adopted by the Government, with authority in law, concerning the postponement of elections of jurors or exceptions to the right of a juror to resign his or her appointment.
Chapter 13. On matter printed abroad etc. Art. 1. The provisions of Chapters 1, 3, 6 and 7; Chapter 8, Articles 1, 2, 5 to 7, and 10 to 12; and Chapters 9 to 12, apply in relevant parts to mat ter printed abroad and published in the Realm, unless otherwise provided below.
Art. 2. Matter printed abroad shall be deemed to have been published within the Realm if it has been delivered for dissemination within the Realm as described in Chapter 1, Article 6.
Art. 3. If a periodical which is printed abroad is intended primarily for dissemination within the Realm, the provisions of Chapter 5 apply in rele vant parts; the provisions relating to the qualifications of owners shall not apply.
Publication in the Realm of any other periodical printed abroad does not require a certificate of no legal impediment to publication. Should such a certificate exist, the provisions of paragraph one shall apply in respect of the periodical.
Art. 4. The provisions of this Act concerning the liability under penal law of a person who has produced printed matter shall refer in respect of matter printed abroad to the person who caused the matter to be delivered for dissemination within the Realm, or, if it is impossible to establish his
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or her identity, or if at the time of publication he or she was not domiciled within the Realm, to the person who is deemed to be the disseminator under Chapter 6.
Art. 5. Provisions are laid down in law concerning the obligation to retain for scrutiny copies of matter printed abroad and to furnish copies of such matter to libraries or archives.
Art. 6. In the case of any item of printed matter which is printed abroad and published in the Realm, but not intended primarily for dissemination within the Realm, and for which no certificate of no legal impediment to publication exists, the provisions of Chapter 1, Article 1, paragraphs three and four, concerning the communication and procurement of information and intelligence for publication apply, unless: 1. communication or procurement constitutes an offence against the
security of the Realm; 2. communication includes supply or release of documents under
Chapter 7, Article 3, paragraph one, point 2; or 3. communication constitutes deliberate disregard of a duty of confiden
tiality.
Paragraph one applies also in respect of an item of printed matter not published in Sweden, if the information was communicated or procured in Sweden, regardless of whether it is printed here or abroad. A person who contributes to material in a periodical by other means, as author or other originator, is equated with a person communicating information for publication.
If communication or procurement is punishable under law pursuant to paragraphs one and two, relevant provisions of law apply. Cases concer ning liability under penal law or private claims for damages on account of an offence now referred to shall be heard as freedom of the press cases, unless Chapter 12, Article 1, paragraph two, sentence three, applies in a similar manner. The provisions of Chapter 3 shall apply in respect of the source’s right to anonymity. The rule laid down in Article 3, point 3, however extends also to offences against the security of the Realm other than those referred to there.
Chapter 14. General provisions Art. 1. Provisions of law relating to the re-opening of closed cases in ge neral apply also to rulings in freedom of the press cases, even if the ques tion of whether an offence has been committed has been tried by a jury.
If a case in which a jury has tried the question of whether an offence has been committed is re-opened and its re-opening is founded on circum stances which may be presumed to have influenced the jury’s delibera tions, it shall be decided at the same time to resubmit the case to a jury of the court which first pronounced judgment. If a retrial is granted in favour
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of the defendant and the matter is manifest, the court granting the retrial may instead revise the judgment forthwith.
Art. 2. When, as a result of a ruling by a higher instance, a freedom of the press case in which a jury participated is to be retried before a jury of the court which first pronounced judgment, the provisions of Chapter 12, Articles 10 to 14, apply with respect to the empanelling of the jury.
Art. 3. Freedom of the press cases and other cases concerning offences against the provisions of this Act shall always be dealt with promptly.
Art. 4. Repealed.
Art. 5. General provisions of law or statute apply in all matters not dealt with in provisions of this Act or special legislation enacted by virtue of this Act.
Except as otherwise laid down in this Act or elsewhere in law, foreign nationals are equated with Swedish citizens.
Transitional provisions Transitional provisions relating to 1976 amendments
1. This Act comes into force on 1 January 1978. 2. The new provisions do not apply to written matter duplicated by
stencil, photocopying or other similar technical process and published before the Act comes into force.
Transitional provisions relating to 1998 amendments
1. This Act comes into force on 1 January 1999. 2. Older provisions shall apply to technical recordings disseminated
before the Act comes into force. 3. The newer provisions contained in Chapter 1, Article 7, and Chapter 5, Articles 5 and 7, shall apply also to certificates of no legal impedi ment to publication issued before the Act comes into force. Contrary to the provisions of Chapter 5, Article 5, paragraph four, sentence one, such certificates shall be valid for a period of ten years from the date on which the Act comes into force.
4. In cases affecting the portrayal of children in pornographic pictures, older provisions shall apply if criminal proceedings have been institu ted before the Act comes into force.
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Chapter 1. Basic provisions Art. 1. Every Swedish citizen is guaranteed the right under this Fundamental Law, vis-à-vis the public institutions, publicly to express his or her thoughts, opinions and sentiments, and in general to communicate information on any subject whatsoever on sound radio, television and certain similar transmissions, through public playback of material from a database, and in films, video recordings, sound recordings and other tech nical recordings.
The purpose of freedom of expression under this Fundamental Law is to secure the free exchange of opinion, free and comprehensive informa tion, and freedom of artistic creation. No restriction of this freedom shall be permitted other than such as follows from this Fundamental Law.
References in the Fundamental Law to radio programmes shall apply also to television programmes and to the content of other certain trans missions of sound, pictures or text made using electromagnetic waves, as well as to the content of certain public playbacks from a database.
Technical recordings are understood in this Fundamental Law to mean recordings containing text, pictures or sound which may be read, listened to or otherwise comprehended only using technical aids.
A database is understood in this Fundamental Law to mean a collec tion of information stored for automatic data processing.
Art. 2. Every Swedish citizen is guaranteed the right to communicate information on any subject whatsoever to authors and other originators, as well as to editors, editorial offices, news agencies and enterprises for the production of technical recordings for publication in radio programmes or such recordings. He or she also has the right to procure information on any subject whatsoever for such communication or publication. No res triction of these rights shall be permitted other than such as follows from this Fundamental Law.
Art. 3. There shall be no prior scrutiny by a public authority or other public body of a matter which is intended for release in a radio pro gramme or technical recording. Nor is it permitted for public authorities or other public bodies to prohibit or prevent the release or dissemina tion to the general public of a radio programme or technical recording on grounds of its known or expected content, except by virtue of this Fundamental Law.
The provisions of paragraph one notwithstanding, provisions may be laid down in law concerning the scrutiny and approval of moving pictu res in films, video recordings or other technical recordings intended for public showing, and moving pictures in such playback of material from a database referred to in Article 9, paragraph one, point 3.
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No public authority or other public body may prohibit or prevent the possession or use of such technical aids as are necessary to receive radio programmes or comprehend the content of technical recordings on grounds of the content of a radio programme or technical recording, ex cept by virtue of this Fundamental Law. The same applies to any ban on the construction of landline networks for the transmission of radio pro grammes.
Art. 4. Public authorities and other public bodies may not intervene against any person on grounds that he or she has abused the freedom of expression or contributed to such abuse in a radio programme or techni cal recording, except by virtue of this Fundamental Law. Nor may they intervene against the programme or recording on such grounds, except by virtue of this Fundamental Law.
Art. 5. Any person entrusted with passing judgment on abuses of the freedom of expression or otherwise overseeing compliance with this Fundamental Law should bear in mind that the Freedom of Expression is fundamental to a free society. He or she should direct his or her attention always to the aim rather than the manner of presentation. In case of doubt, he or she should acquit rather than convict.
Art. 6. This Fundamental Law applies to transmissions of radio program mes which are directed to the general public and intended for reception using technical aids. Such transmissions of radio programmes are under stood to include also the provision of live broadcasts and recorded pro grammes which are specifically requested, provided the starting time and the content cannot be influenced by the receiver.
In the case of radio programmes transmitted by satellite and emana ting from Sweden, the provisions of this Fundamental Law concerning radio programmes in general apply.
Exceptions to this Fundamental Law in respect of radio programmes intended primarily for reception abroad and radio programmes transmitted by landline but not intended for reception by a wider public may be laid down in law. Such exceptions may not however relate to the provisions of Articles 2 and 3.
Art. 7. In the case of simultaneous and unmodified onward transmission in this country of radio programmes under Article 6 emanating from abro ad or transmitted to Sweden by satellite but not emanating from Sweden, only the following provisions apply:
Article 3, paragraph one, prohibiting prior scrutiny and other restric tions;
Article 3, paragraph three, on the possession of technical aids and the construction of landline networks;
Article 4, prohibiting interventions except by virtue of this Fundamental Law;
Article 5, on the attitude to be adopted in applying this Fundamental Law;
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Chapter 3, Article 1, on the right to transmit radio programmes by landline; and
Chapter 3, Articles 3 and 5, on special legislative procedures and exa mination before a court of law.
If the Riksdag has approved an international agreement concerning radio programmes, provisions under Article 12, paragraph two, may not constitute an obstacle to onward transmission of radio programmes in breach of the agreement.
Chapter 10, Article 2, contains provisions concerning the right to communicate and procure information and intelligence for publication in radio programmes emanating from abroad.
Art. 8. In the case of radio programmes or part-programmes consisting of live broadcasts of current events, or of religious services or public per formances arranged by some person other than the person operating the programme service, the following provisions are not applied:
Article 2, on the right to communicate and procure information for publication;
Article 4, prohibiting interventions; Article 5, on the attitude to be adopted in applying this Fundamental
Law; Chapter 2, on the right to anonymity; Chapters 5 to 7, on freedom of expression offences, liability rules and
supervision, prosecution and special coercive measures; Chapter 9, on court proceedings in freedom of expression cases; and Chapter 10, Article 2, on the right to communicate and procure infor
mation for publication in radio programmes emanating from abroad.
Art. 9. The provisions of this Fundamental Law concerning radio pro grammes apply also, in cases other than those stated in Article 6, para graph one, sentence two, when the editorial office of a printed periodical or radio programme, an enterprise for the professional production of printed matter or matter equated with printed matter under the Freedom of the Press Act, or of technical recordings, or a news agency, with the aid of electromagnetic waves: 1. supplies to the general public, in response to a special request, in
formation taken from a database the content of which can only be modified by the person carrying on the activity, either by direct trans fer, or indirectly by the production of a technical recording, written document or picture;
2. otherwise, in accordance with a prior agreement, supplies informa tion to the public by direct transfer from a database under point 1; or
3. by means of public playback, supplies information to the public from a database under point 1.
The provisions of paragraph one apply also to any other person holding a valid certificate of no legal impediment to publication in respect of such activity. The issue of such a certificate requires that:
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– the activity is organised in the manner referred to in paragraph one and transmissions emanate from Sweden;
– a qualified responsible editor has been appointed and has accepted the appointment; and
– the activity has a name such that it cannot easily be confused with the name of another activity under this Article.
A certificate of no legal impediment to publication is valid for ten years from the date of issue. The certificate lapses thereafter. The certificate may be renewed, for ten years at a time with effect from the expiry of the preceding ten-year period, always providing the preconditions exist for issue of such a certificate. The certificate may be rescinded if the precon ditions for its issue no longer pertain, if the activity has not commenced within six months from the date of issue of the certificate, or if the person carrying out the activity has given notice that it has been discontinued. If the certificate lapses or is rescinded, provisions laid down in law or other statute apply.
More detailed rules concerning the issue, lapse, renewal and rescin ding of a certificate of no legal impediment to publication are laid down in law.
Every database shall have a name. More detailed provisions concer ning such names are laid down in law.
Provisions concerning penalties for persons offending against a provi sion under paragraph four or five are laid down in law.
Art. 10. This Fundamental Law applies to technical recordings which have been published. A technical recording is deemed to have been published when it has been delivered for dissemination to the general public in Sweden by being played, sold or otherwise made available.
A technical recording shall not be deemed to have been delivered for dissemination to the public in Sweden merely on the grounds of its being sent to a recipient abroad.
The question whether or not this Fundamental Law is applicable is ex amined in individual cases on the basis of what can be presumed concer ning dissemination. Unless otherwise indicated by the circumstances, this Fundamental Law shall be regarded as applying to a recording containing information under Chapter 3, Article 13, and Chapter 4, Article 4.
Art. 11. Chapter 1, Article 7, paragraph two of the Freedom of the Press Act establishes that certain radio programmes and technical recordings shall be equated with periodicals.
Art. 12. The provisions of Chapter 1, Articles 8 and 9 of the Freedom of the Press Act to the effect that provisions may, without hindrance of fun damental law, be laid down in law concerning originators’ rights, certain commercial advertising, the provision of credit information and the man ner in which information is procured shall apply also to radio programmes and technical recordings without hindrance of fundamental law.
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The rules contained in this Fundamental Law do not preclude the laying down in law of other provisions concerning bans on commercial advertising in radio programmes or the conditions applying to such adver tising. The same applies to provisions concerning bans on and conditions applying to other advertising and the transmission of programmes finan ced wholly or in part by some person other than the person operating the programme service.
Art. 13. This Fundamental Law does not apply to pornographic images of persons whose pubertal development is not complete or who are under the age of eighteen.
Chapter 2. On the right to anonymity Art. 1. The originator of a radio programme or technical recording is not obliged to disclose his or her identity. The same applies to a person taking part in such an item and to a person who has communicated information under Chapter 1, Article 2.
Art. 2. In cases concerning liability under penal law, damages or special legal effects on account of freedom of expression offences occurring in a radio programme or technical recording, no person may inquire into the identity of the originator of the item, or of a person who took part in it, made it available for publication or communicated information under Chapter 1, Article 2.
If a person has been declared to be the originator of an item or to have taken part in it, the court may however examine whether he or she is liab le. The same applies should any person in the case acknowledge himself or herself to be the originator or person who took part.
Paragraph one does not preclude consideration in the same court pro ceedings both of cases which concern freedom of expression offences and of cases which concern offences under Chapter 5, Article 3.
Art. 3. A person who has been concerned in the production or dissemina tion of an item comprising or intended to form part of a radio programme or technical recording and a person who has been active in a news agency may not disclose what has come to his or her knowledge in this connec tion concerning the identity of the person who originated the item or made it available for publication, took part in it or communicated information under Chapter 1, Article 2. The duty of confidentiality under paragraph one does not apply:
1. if the person in whose favour the duty of confidentiality operates has given his or her consent to the disclosure of his or her identity;
2. if the question of identity may be raised under Article 2, paragraph two;
3. if the matter concerns an offence specified in Chapter 5, Article 3, paragraph one, point 1;
4. in cases when the matter concerns an offence under Chapter 5, Article
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2 or 3, paragraph one, point 2 or 3, a court of law deems it necessary for information to be produced during the proceedings as to whether the defendant, or the person suspected on reasonable grounds of the offence, is the person in whose favour the duty of confidentiality ope rates under paragraph one; or
5. when, in any other case, a court of law deems it to be of exceptional importance, with regard to a public or private interest, for informa tion concerning identity to be produced on examination of witnesses or of a party in the proceedings under oath.
In examination under paragraph two, point 4 or 5, the court shall scrupu lously ensure that no questions are put which might encroach upon a duty of confidentiality in excess of what is permissible in each particular case.
Art. 4. No public authority or other public body may inquire into the identity of: 1. the originator of an item released or intended for release in a radio
programme or technical recording or a person who has taken part in such an item;
2. the person who made available or intended to make available for publication an item in a radio programme or a technical recording; or
3. the person who communicated information under Chapter 1, Article 2.
This prohibition does not preclude inquiry in a case in which this Fundamental Law permits prosecution or other intervention. In such cases a duty of confidentiality under Article 3 shall however be respected.
Nor may a public authority or other public body intervene against a person because he or she has, in a radio programme or a technical recor ding, made use of his or her freedom of the press or assisted therein.
Art. 5. A person who, whether through negligence or by deliberate intent, breaches a duty of confidentiality under Article 3 shall be sentenced to pay a fine or to imprisonment for up to one year. The same applies to a person who, whether through negligence or by deliberate intent, com municates false information in a radio programme or technical recording concerning the identity of the person who originated the item or made it available for publication, took part in it or communicated information therein.
Inquiries made in breach of Article 4, paragraphs one and two, are punishable by a fine or imprisonment for up to one year, if made delibera tely.
Deliberate intervention in breach of Article 4, paragraph three, provi ded the said measure constitutes summary dismissal, notice of termina tion, imposition of a disciplinary sanction or a similar measure, is punis hable by a fine or imprisonment for up to one year.
Legal proceedings may be instituted on account of an offence under paragraph one only provided the injured party has reported the offence for prosecution.
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Chapter 3. On transmission, production and dissemination Radio programmes Art. 1. Every Swedish citizen and every Swedish legal person has the right to transmit radio programmes by landline.
The freedom which follows from paragraph one does not preclude the publication in law of provisions concerning: 1. the obligation of network owners to make space available for certain
programmes, to the extent necessary with regard to the public interest in access to comprehensive information;
2. the obligation of network owners to make space available for transmissions, to the extent necessary with regard to the interest of network competition in respect of such transmissions, or the public interest in having access to such transmissions;
3. the obligation of network owners to take steps to assure listeners of influence over programme choice;
4. the obligation of those who transmit television programmes to design the transmissions in a manner that allows people with functional di sabilities access to the programmes by means of subtitling, interpreta tion, spoken text, or similar technical aids; or
5. interventions against programming prominently featuring depictions of violence, pornographic images, or agitation against a population group.
Art. 2. The right to transmit radio programmes other than by landline may be regulated in an act of law containing provisions on licensing and con ditions of transmission.
The public institutions shall seek to ensure that radio frequencies are utilised in such a way as to result in the widest possible freedom of ex pression and freedom of information.
The opportunity shall exist for organised groups of persons to obtain a licence to broadcast sound radio programmes on local radio transmissi ons, insofar as available frequencies permit. More detailed provisions in this connection are laid down in law.
Art. 3. In the case of restrictions of the right to broadcast of the nature envisaged in Articles 1 and 2, the provisions of Chapter 2, Articles 21 to 23 of the Instrument of Government concerning restrictions of fundamen tal rights and freedoms apply.
Art. 4. A person broadcasting radio programmes is free to determine inde pendently the content of the programmes.
Art. 5. Questions concerning the right to broadcast radio programmes are examined before a court of law or a commission, the composition of
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which is laid down in law and whose chair shall hold currently, or shall have held previously, an appointment as a permanent salaried judge. Examination of a Government decision shall take place before a court of law and need relate only to the legality of the decision.
If the matter relates to a question of intervention on account of an abu se of the freedom of expression, the case shall be examined by a court of law sitting with a jury, in accordance with detailed rules laid down in law. This does not however apply if the matter relates to a violation of provi sions or conditions regarding commercial advertising, other advertising or transmission of radio programmes under Chapter 1, Article 12, paragraph two.
Art. 6. Provisions may be laid down in law concerning the obligation to retain recordings of radio programmes and make them available for sub sequent scrutiny, and to furnish them to archives.
Art. 7. Provisions aimed at preventing the dissemination through radio programmes of maps, drawings or pictures which represent Sweden, either in whole or in part, and which contain information of significance for the defence of the Realm, may be laid down in law.
Technical recordings Art. 8. Every Swedish citizen and every Swedish legal person has the right to produce and disseminate technical recordings. Scrutiny and app roval under Chapter 1, Article 3, paragraph two, may however be required for the right to show in public a film, video recording or other technical recording containing moving pictures.
Art. 9. Provisions concerning an obligation to retain copies of technical recordings and make them available for scrutiny may be laid down in law. Provisions may also be laid down in law concerning an obligation to fur nish copies of such recordings to a public authority and provide informa tion in connection with such obligation.
Art. 10. No postal service or other common carrier may refuse to forward technical recordings on grounds of their content other than in cases where forwarding would constitute a violation under Article 13, paragraph three or four.
A common carrier who accepts a technical recording for forwarding shall not be regarded as the disseminator of the recording under Chapter 6.
Art. 11. The provisions laid down in law concerning a case in which, for gainful purposes, a person supplies to a person under the age of fifteen a film, video recording or other technical recording containing moving pictures with detailed representations of a realistic nature which include acts of violence or threats of violence against persons or animals apply without hindrance of this Fundamental Law.
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Art. 12. The rules set out in this Fundamental Law do not preclude the laying down in law of provisions concerning penalties and special legal effects in respect of a person who: 1. exhibits pornographic pictures on or at a public place by displaying
them or the like in a manner liable to cause offence to the general public;
2. supplies pornographic pictures by post or other means to a person who has not ordered them in advance; or
3. disseminates among children and young persons technical recordings which by reason of their content might have a brutalising effect or result in other serious danger to the young.
The same applies in respect of penalties and special legal effects for a per son who offends against provisions concerning the scrutiny and approval of films, video recordings or other technical recordings containing moving pictures which are intended for public showing, and of moving pictures in such a public playback from a database under Chapter 1, Article 9, para graph one, point 3.
Provisions aimed at preventing the dissemination through technical recordings of maps, drawings or pictures which represent Sweden, either in whole or in part, and which contain information of significance for the defence of the Realm, may be laid down in law.
Art. 13. Copies of technical recordings produced in Sweden and intended for dissemination in this country shall be provided with clear information indicating who caused the recording to be made and where, when and by whom the copies were made. More detailed rules in this connection may be laid down in law.
A person who produces a technical recording and thereby offends, through negligence or by deliberate intent, against paragraph one, or aga inst rules referred to therein, shall be sentenced to pay a fine or to impri sonment for up to one year.
A person who disseminates a technical recording which lacks, through negligence or by deliberate intent, any of the information prescribed in paragraph one shall be sentenced to pay a fine. The same shall apply if such information is incorrect and this fact is known to the disseminator.
A person who knowingly disseminates a technical recording after it has been impounded or confiscated under this Fundamental Law shall be sentenced to pay a fine or to imprisonment for up to one year.
Art. 14. Provisions concerning an obligation of a person who professio nally sells or rents films, video recordings or other technical recordings containing moving pictures to notify this circumstance to a public autho rity for registration may be laid down in law or, where the content of such notification or the detailed procedure for lodging such notification is con cerned, by virtue of law.
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Pre-ordered copies of recordings, written documents and pic- tures Art. 15. The name of the database and information about when, where and how the recording, written document or picture was produced shall be apparent from such a technical recording, written document or picture under Chapter 1, Article 9, paragraph one, point 1. The person carrying on the activity shall ensure that the recording, written document or picture carries such information. More detailed rules concerning this matter may be laid down in law.
A person who, through negligence or by deliberate intent, offends aga inst paragraph one, or against rules referred to therein, shall be sentenced to pay a fine or to imprisonment for up to one year.
A person who, through negligence or by deliberate intent, supplies a technical recording, written document or picture under Chapter 1, Article 9, paragraph one, point 1, which lacks any of the information prescribed in paragraph one, shall be sentenced to pay a fine. The same applies if such information is incorrect and this is known to the person supplying the recording, written document or picture.
Chapter 4. On responsible editors Art. 1. Radio programmes and technical recordings shall have a respon sible editor. A programme editor shall be appointed for each radio pro gramme or programme service, or part thereof, in accordance with more detailed provisions laid down in law.
The responsible editor is appointed by the person operating the broad casting service or causing the technical recording to be made.
Art. 2. The responsible editor shall be a Swedish citizen. It may be pres cribed in law that also a foreign national may be a responsible editor.
A person who is a responsible editor shall be domiciled within the Realm. No person who is a minor or an undischarged bankrupt, or for whom an administrator has been appointed under special provisions of law, may be a responsible editor. Information shall be available to the general public concerning the identity of the responsible editor.
Art. 3. The responsible editor shall have the power to supervise the public release of the item and to determine its contents in such a way that nothing may be included therein against his or her will. Any restriction of these powers shall be null and void.
Art. 4. The identity of the responsible editor shall be apparent from a technical recording. The responsible editor shall ensure that every copy of the recording carries such information. The identity of the responsible editor of the database shall be apparent from a technical recording, written document or picture under Chapter 1, Article 9, paragraph one, point 1. The responsible editor shall ensure that every copy carries such informa tion.
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Information concerning the responsible editor of a radio programme shall be kept available to the general public in accordance with more de tailed provisions laid down in law.
Art. 5. A responsible editor appointed for a sound radio programme ser vice may appoint one or more deputies. The provisions of Articles 2 to 4 concerning responsible editors shall apply also to deputies. If the appoint ment of the responsible editor is terminated, appointments as deputies are also terminated. Art. 6. A person who, through negligence or by deliberate intent, offends against Article 1 shall be sentenced to pay a fine or, if the circumstances are exceptionally aggravating, to imprisonment for up to one year. A person who, through negligence or by deliberate intent, offends against Article 4, paragraph one, shall be sentenced to pay a monetary fine.
Penalties may be laid down in law for persons who offend against provisions of law laid down by virtue of Article 4 or 5.
Chapter 5. On freedom of expression offences Art. 1. The acts listed as freedom of the press offences in Chapter 7, Articles 4 and 5 of the Freedom of the Press Act shall be regarded as freedom of expression offences if they are committed in a radio program me or technical recording and are punishable under law. Under the same conditions, unlawful portrayal of violence whereby a person intrusively or protractedly portrays in moving pictures gross acts of violence against persons or animals, with intent to disseminate the item, shall also be re garded as a freedom of expression offence unless the act is justifiable with regard to the circumstances.
Art. 2. Acts which under Chapter 7, Article 2 of the Freedom of the Press Act shall not be regarded as freedom of the press offences because they are committed by means of communications in which the offence is con cealed, shall not be regarded as freedom of expression offences either.
Art. 3. If a person communicates information under Chapter 1, Article 2, or, without being liable under Chapter 6, contributes to an item intended for publication in a radio programme or technical recording, either as an author or other originator, or by taking part in the radio programme, and thereby renders himself or herself guilty of: 1. high treason, espionage, gross espionage, gross unauthorised traffick
ing in secret information, insurrection, treason or betrayal of country, or any attempt, preparation or conspiracy to commit such an offence;
2. wrongful release of an official document to which the public does not have access, or release of such a document in contravention of a res triction imposed by a public authority at the time of its release, where the act is deliberate; or deliberate disregard of a duty of confidentiali ty in the cases specified in a special act of law;
3. provisions of law concerning liability for such an offence apply.
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If a person procures information or intelligence for a purpose referred to in Chapter 1, Article 2, and thereby renders himself or herself guilty of an offence under paragraph one, point 1, provisions of law concerning liabi lity for such an offence apply.
The provisions of Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government concerning special legislative procedures shall apply also to proposals for provisions under paragraph one, point 3.
Art. 4. Provisions of law concerning penal sanctions on account of offen ces under Article 1 shall apply also when the offence is to be regarded as a freedom of expression offence.
Rules are set out in Chapter 8 concerning damages on account of free dom of expression offences.
When a person is convicted of defamation or using insulting langua ge or behaviour under Article 1, paragraph one, the court may rule, on a petition by the other party, that, if the offence was committed in a radio programme, the verdict of the court shall be reproduced in full or in part in a radio programme transmitted by the same broadcasting service. The court may decide that the obligation to reproduce the verdict shall relate to a summary prepared by the court.
Art. 5. In determining penal sanctions on account of a freedom of expres sion offence, the court shall pay particular attention to whether a correc tion has been published.
Art. 6. A technical recording which contains a freedom of expression of fence may be confiscated. If the offence is unlawful portrayal of violence, provisions of law concerning special legal effects in other respects shall apply. In the event of confiscation, all copies intended for dissemination shall
be destroyed. It shall further be ensured that material capable of being used specifically to duplicate the technical recording concerned cannot be used to make further copies.
Chapter 6. Liability rules Art. 1. Liability under penal law for freedom of expression offences com mitted in a radio programme or technical recording rests with the respon sible editor. If a deputy is acting in place of the responsible editor, liability rests with the deputy.
In the case of direct broadcasts of radio programmes other than pro grammes under Chapter 1, Article 8, it may be laid down in law that a person taking part in a programme shall himself or herself be liable for his or her own utterances.
Art. 2. Liability under penal law for freedom of expression offences which would otherwise rest with the responsible editor rests with the per son responsible for appointing the responsible editor if:
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– there was no qualified responsible editor at the time when the offence was committed;
– the responsible editor was appointed for appearance’s sake or was manifestly incapable of exercising the powers set out in Chapter 4, Article 3; or
– information concerning the responsible editor has not been kept avai lable to the general public in the prescribed manner.
If a deputy was acting in place of the responsible editor but was no long er qualified at the time when the offence was committed, or if his or her appointment had been terminated or some circumstance pertained concer ning him or her of a nature set out in paragraph one, point 2 or 3, liability for freedom of expression offences rests with the responsible editor.
If a technical recording lacks the information prescribed in Chapter 3, Article 13, paragraph one, concerning who caused it to be made, and cla rity cannot be reached concerning his or her identity, or he or she has no known domicile in Sweden and cannot be reached in Sweden during the court proceedings, liability for freedom of expression offences committed in the technical recording rests with the disseminator instead of with the person stipulated in paragraph one.
The provisions laid down in paragraph three concerning a case in which information is lacking apply also if the information provided im plies that the person who caused the technical recording to be made is domiciled abroad, or if the information is incorrect and this fact is known to the disseminator.
Art. 3. If legal proceedings are instituted on account of a freedom of ex pression offence and the defendant considers some circumstance pertains as a result of which he or she shall not be liable, he or she shall adduce this circumstance prior to the main hearing. If he or she fails to do so, he or she will be regarded as liable.
Art. 4. The person liable under this Chapter for a freedom of expression offence in an item shall be regarded as having had knowledge of the con tent of the item. He or she shall also be regarded as having consented to its publication.
Chapter 7. On supervision, prosecution and special coercive measures Art. 1. The rules laid down in Chapter 9, Articles 1 to 4 of the Freedom of the Press Act concerning supervision and prosecution shall apply also with regard to radio programmes and technical recordings, and freedom of expression cases. The Chancellor of Justice may delegate a public prose cutor to act as prosecutor in a freedom of expression case which concerns liability or confiscation on account of unlawful portrayal of violence, agi tation against a population group, offences against civil liberty, unlawful threats, threats made against a public servant or perversion of the course
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of justice committed in a technical recording. The right to institute legal proceedings may not however be delegated where the matter concerns the freedom of expression offences agitation against a population group or offences against civil liberty.
In the case of radio programmes, the period within which legal pro ceedings may be instituted for a freedom of expression offence is six months from the date on which the programme was broadcast, or, where the matter concerns the making available of information under Chapter 1, Article 9, paragraph one, points 1 and 2, from the date on which the in formation was no longer kept available. Concerning such public playback from a database under Chapter 1, Article 9, paragraph one, point 3, the pe riod is six months from the date of the playback. In the case of technical recordings, the period is one year from the date on which the recording was published. In the case of recordings which lack any of the informa tion prescribed under Chapter 3, Article 13, however, the rules laid down in law concerning the period during which an action may be brought app ly, with the limitation that legal proceedings may not be instituted more than two years from the date on which the recording was brought to the attention of the Chancellor of Justice.
Art. 2. If a freedom of expression offence has been committed in a tech nical recording and no one is liable under Chapter 6 for the offence, the public prosecutor or the plaintiff may apply to have the recording con fiscated instead of instituting legal proceedings. The same applies if no summons can be served in Sweden on the person liable for the offence.
Art. 3. The provisions laid down in Chapter 10 of the Freedom of the Press Act concerning the impoundment of printed matter shall apply also concerning the impoundment of technical recordings. In the case of recordings, written documents or pictures under Chapter 1, Article 9, paragraph one, point 1, where the matter concerns impoundment for the purpose of investigation on account of a freedom of expression offence, the provisions of Chapter 10, Article 14 of the Freedom of the Press Act apply. In the case of technical recordings, the provisions laid down in pa ragraphs two and three of this Article however apply in place of Chapter 10, Articles 6 and 8, paragraph two of the Freedom of the Press Act. If the time referred to in Chapter 10, Article 4 of the Freedom of the Press Act is insufficient with regard to the scope of the impoundment or for any other reason, the court may allow an extension following a submission from the Chancellor of Justice. Such extension shall not relate to a period in excess of what is unavoidably necessary and may not amount to more than two weeks in all. The provisions of Chapter 10, Article 3, paragraph two of the Freedom of the Press Act do not apply if the Chancellor of Justice has delegated a public prosecutor to act as prosecutor in a freedom of expres sion case under Article 1, paragraph one of this Chapter. The provisions of Chapter 10, Articles 2, 4 and 14 of the Freedom of the Press Act and of this Article regarding the duties of the Chancellor of Justice apply in such a case also to the public prosecutor.
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All impoundment orders shall indicate which passage or passages in the item occasioned the order. If it is not possible when effecting an impoundment order under Chapter 10, Article 14 of the Freedom of the Press Act to indicate every such passage in detail, the passages which are being adduced as of a criminal nature shall be set out in a separate decision as soon as possible after the event. Impoundment relates only to the specific discs, reels or other such parts of the recording in which the passages occur.
Proof of an impoundment order shall be furnished as soon as possible, and free of charge, to the person against whom impoundment has been effected and to the person who caused the technical recording to be made. Such proof shall indicate the passage or passages in the recording which occasioned the order.
Art. 4. It may be laid down in an act of law that a commission, the com position of which is laid down in law and whose chair shall hold current ly, or shall have held previously, an appointment as a permanent salaried judge, shall examine whether a radio programme which has been trans mitted by some means other than landline complies with the provisions or other conditions applying to such transmissions. Such a commission may only express an opinion and enjoin the transmitter to observe the provi sions or conditions. The act of law may prescribe that an injunction of the commission may be associated with penalties. Questions concerning liabi lity for freedom of expression offences and the imposition of penalties are always examined by a court of law under Chapter 3, Article 5.
Art. 5. It may be laid down in an act of law that there shall be special supervision to ensure that there is no abuse of the freedom of expression in films, video recordings or other technical recordings containing moving pictures by means of unlawful portrayal of violence, and to ensure that recordings of this nature which contain violence or threats of violence are not disseminated for gainful purposes to persons under the age of fifteen. It may be prescribed in this connection that a supervising authority shall be empowered to take temporarily into safekeeping a copy of a film, vi deo recording or technical recording containing moving pictures which it can be presumed includes unlawful portrayal of violence.
Art. 6. The provisions concerning restrictions of fundamental rights and freedoms contained in Chapter 2, Articles 21 to 23 of the Instrument of Government apply in respect of provisions under Articles 4 and 5.
Chapter 8. On damages Art. 1. Damages on grounds of the content of a radio programme or tech nical recording may only be awarded in cases in which the item contains an offence against the freedom of expression.
Provisions of law apply in respect of damages on account of offences under Chapter 5, Articles 2 and 3.
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Art. 2. The person who is liable under penal law according to Chapter 6 is liable also for damages. Damages may also be claimed from the person who operates the programme service or caused the technical recording to be made.
In cases under Chapter 1, Article 8, the perpetrator is liable for da mages on account of offences committed by him or her during the trans mission. Damages may also be claimed from the person who operates the programme service.
Art. 3. If the person liable under penal law has no known domicile in Sweden at the time of the offence and cannot be reached here during the court proceedings, with the result that liability passes under Chapter 6, Article 2, paragraph three, to some other person, damages may still be claimed also from the first-named, insofar as this is permitted in law.
Art. 4. The provisions of Chapter 6, Article 4 of this Fundamental Law shall apply also in respect of damages on account of freedom of expres sion offences committed in a radio programme or technical recording. The provisions of Chapter 11, Articles 3 to 5 of the Freedom of the Press Act on private claims for damages in certain cases shall apply also in respect of such damages.
Chapter 9. On court proceedings in freedom of expression cases Art. 1. The provisions laid down in Chapter 12 of the Freedom of the Press Act concerning court proceedings in freedom of the press cases shall apply also in respect of the corresponding cases relating to radio program mes and technical recordings (freedom of expression cases). The referen ce in Chapter 12, Article 2 of the Freedom of the Press Act to Chapter 8 of the Freedom of the Press Act shall relate in this connection to Chapter 6 of this Fundamental Law. Persons appointed jurors for freedom of the press cases shall be jurors also for freedom of expression cases.
Chapter 10. On radio programmes and technical recordings emanating from abroad etc. Art. 1. The provisions laid down in Chapters 1 to 9 and Chapter 11 also apply to technical recordings produced abroad and delivered for disse mination in Sweden. The provisions otherwise laid down concerning the person who caused the recording to be made shall apply instead in this connection to the person who delivered it for dissemination in Sweden.
The provisions of Chapter 13, Article 6 of the Freedom of the Press Act shall however apply in relevant parts in respect of the right to com municate and procure information and intelligence for publication and the right to anonymity. In this connection, the reference to Chapter 1, Article 1, paragraphs three and four of the Freedom of the Press Act shall relate to Chapter 1, Article 2 of this Fundamental Law; the reference to
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Chapter 3 of the Freedom of the Press Act shall relate to Chapter 2 of this Fundamental Law; the reference to Chapter 3, Article 3 of the Freedom of the Press Act shall relate to Chapter 2, Article 3 of this Fundamental Law; and the reference to Chapter 7, Article 3, paragraph one, point 2 of the Freedom of the Press Act shall relate to Chapter 5, Article 3, paragraph one, point 2 of this Fundamental Law.
Art. 2. Whatever applies under Article 1 in respect of the right to commu nicate and procure information and intelligence and the right to anonymi ty applies also to radio programmes broadcast from transmitters outside Sweden and to technical recordings not delivered for dissemination in Sweden, if the information was communicated or procured in Sweden, regardless of whether the recording was made in Sweden or abroad. Exceptions to the right to communicate and procure information in res pect of radio programmes transmitted from the high seas or the airspace over the high seas may however be laid down in law.
Chapter 11. General provisions Art. 1. The provisions laid down in Chapter 14, Articles 1 to 3 of the Freedom of the Press Act concerning the re-opening of closed cases, examination of freedom of the press cases before a higher instance and prompt handling of such cases shall apply also in respect of correspon ding cases under this Fundamental Law. Provisions laid down in an act of law or other statute apply in all respects not specially regulated in this Fundamental Law or in an act of law adopted by virtue of this Fundamental Law.
Foreign nationals are equated with Swedish citizens in respect of freedom of expression under this Fundamental Law unless otherwise pro vided in law.
Transitional provisions Transitional provisions 1991
1. This Fundamental Law comes into force on 1 January 1992. 2. The new provisions shall not apply to radio programmes transmitted
before the Law comes into force. 3. In the case of films and sound recordings delivered for dissemination
before the Law comes into force, the new provisions shall apply with the following exceptions:
a) a film or sound recording shall be regarded as having been delivered for dissemination on the date on which this Fundamental Law comes into force;
b) the provisions of Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Article 13, paragraphs one to three, Chapter 4, Chapter 6, Articles 1 to 5, and Chapter 10, Article 1, paragraph one, sentence two, shall not apply;
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c) the disseminator of a film shall be liable under law for a freedom of expression offence committed in the film, if dissemination would have been punishable also under older provisions;
d) liability for freedom of expression offences in a sound recording rests with the originator and the person who has taken part in the recording, if they are to be regarded as the perpetrators, and with the person who caused the recording to be made and the disseminator, always provided that their actions would have been punishable also under older provisions;
e) contrary to the provisions of Chapter 8, Article 2, paragraph one, da mages may be claimed for the content of a film or sound recording, from the person liable in penal law under points (c) and (d);
f) the new provisions do not apply in respect of dissemination before the Law comes into force of films portraying sexual violence or coercion, or intrusive or protracted portrayal of gross violence against persons or animals;
g) the new provisions are not applied if criminal proceedings have been instituted before the Law comes into force. If application of the new provisions would have resulted in freedom from penal sanctions, such shall however not be exacted.
Transitional provisions relating to 1998 amendments
1. This Act comes into force on 1 January 1999. 2. In the case of technical recordings not covered by earlier wording and
delivered for dissemination before the Act comes into force, the new provisions shall apply with the following exceptions:
a) a technical recording shall be regarded as having been delivered for dissemination on the date on which this Act comes into force;
b) the provisions of Chapter 2, Chapter 3, Article 13, pararaphs one to three, Chapter 4, Chapter 6, Articles 1 and 2, and Chapter 10, Article 1, paragraph one, sentence two, shall not apply;
c) the disseminator of a technical recording shall be liable under law for a freedom of expression offence committed in the recording, if the act would have been punishable also under older provisions;
d) contrary to the provisions of Chapter 8, Article 2, paragraph one, da mages may be claimed for the content of a technical recording from the person liable in penal law under point (c), if a liability for dama ges would have existed under provisions of ordinary law;
e) the new provisions do not apply in respect of dissemination before the Act comes into force of technical recordings with pictures which include portrayal of sexual violence or coercion;
f) the new provisions are not applied if criminal proceedings have been instituted before the Act comes into force. If application of the new provisions would have resulted in freedom from penal sanctions, such shall however not be exacted.
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3. The older provisions shall be applied to sound recordings delivered for dissemination before the Act comes into force.
4. Older provisions are applied in cases affecting portrayal of children in pornographic pictures if criminal proceedings have been instituted before the Act comes into force.
Transitional provisions relating to 2002 amendments
1. This law comes into force on 1 January 2003. 2. Older provisions apply to such making available of information under
Chapter 1, Article 9, as occurs before the law comes into force. 3. The new provision in Chapter 7, Article 1, paragraph two, sentence
one, concerning the period of limitation for freedom of expression offences committed by making available information under Chapter 1, Article 9, applies only to information which still forms part of the database when the law comes into force.
4. The new provision in Chapter 7, Article 1, paragraph two, sentence three, applies only to technical recordings published after the law comes into force.
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T he
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The Constitution of Sweden The Fundamental Laws and the Riksdag Act
The majority of democratic countries have a written constitution which regulates how society shall be governed. Sweden has four fundamental laws: the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. These establish among other things how parliament and government are to be appointed and how they shall function. The fundamental laws also include protection for citizens’ rights and freedoms.
The organisation and working procedures of the Riksdag (the Swedish Parliament) are regulated in more detail in the Riksdag Act, which occupies an intermediate position between fundamental law and ordinary law. On 1 September 2014, a new Riksdag Act came into force.
The Constitution of Sweden contains an introduction describing the Swedish form of government and how it developed, followed by the law texts in their entirety in English translation, as of 1 January 2015.
The Swedish Parliament • SE-100 12 Stockholm • Phone: +46 8 7864000 • www.riksdagen.se