Swedish government
Power from the people! This is how Sweden is governed.
All public power proceeds from the people. This is the foundation of the Swedish system of government. Everyone has the same rights and is free to scrutinise how politicians and public agencies exercise their power.
In Sweden, general elections are held every four years – the latest one took place in September 2022. Around 7 million people are entitled to vote and thereby influence which political party will represent them in the Swedish parliament, county councils and municipalities.
People can also influence Swedish politics in other ways – by taking part in referendums, joining a political party or commenting on reports presented by the government.
The Swedish Constitution
The Swedish Constitution defines how Sweden is governed. It regulates the relationships between decision-making and executive power, and the basic rights and freedoms of citizens. Four fundamental laws make up the Constitution: the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. These laws take precedence over all other statutes.
The Instrument of Government
Among other things, the Instrument of Government guarantees citizens the right to obtain information freely, hold demonstrations, form political parties and practice their religion.
The Act of Succession
The Act of Succession regulates the right of members of the House of Bernadotte, the royal family, to accede to the Swedish throne.
The Freedom of the Press Act
The Freedom of the Press Act secures the freedom for everyone to express their thoughts, opinions and sentiments in print, as well as to publish official documents. Censorship is prohibited and people have a right to anonymity. The law sets out the principle of public access to official documents relating to the work of the parliament, the government and public agencies. People are allowed to study official documents whenever they wish.
The Law on Freedom of Expression
The Law on Freedom of Expression came into force in 1992. It includes everyone's right to express thoughts, opinions and feelings through speech, writing or images without interference by the authorities. This freedom does not extend to slander or acts involving threats or agitation against a national or ethnic group. The law largely mirrors the Freedom of the Press Act, in regards to the prohibition of censorship, the freedom to communicate information and the right to anonymity.
The 349 members of the Swedish parliament have been chosen by the people. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se
Every four years, Swedes go to the polls for the general elections. Photo: Lieslotte van der Meijs/imagebank.sweden.se
After each general election, the speaker of the Swedish parliament has an important task: to propose a prime minister. Here, Andreas Norlén, speaker since 2018. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/Sveriges riksdag
The 349 members of the Swedish parliament have been chosen by the people. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se
Every four years, Swedes go to the polls for the general elections. Photo: Lieslotte van der Meijs/imagebank.sweden.se
After each general election, the speaker of the Swedish parliament has an important task: to propose a prime minister. Here, Andreas Norlén, speaker since 2018. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/Sveriges riksdag
The 349 members of the Swedish parliament have been chosen by the people. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebank.sweden.se
Every four years, Swedes go to the polls for the general elections. Photo: Lieslotte van der Meijs/imagebank.sweden.se
After each general election, the speaker of the Swedish parliament has an important task: to propose a prime minister. Here, Andreas Norlén, speaker since 2018. Photo: Melker Dahlstrand/Sveriges riksdag
Head of state without formal power
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy and King Carl XVI Gustaf is Sweden's non-political head of state. The monarch has primarily ceremonial and representative duties.
The parliament – representing the people
In Sweden, the parliament makes the decisions and the government implements them. The government also submits proposals for new laws or law amendments to the parliament.
The parliament with its 349 members is Sweden’s primary representative forum. Votes decide which parties are represented in parliament.
General elections to parliament are held on the second Sunday of September every four years. All Swedish citizens aged 18 or over who are, or previously have been, residents of Sweden have the right to vote. To serve in parliament, a person has to be a Swedish citizen aged 18 or over. Seats are distributed among the political parties in proportion to the votes cast for them across the country as a whole.
Requirement to get into parliament: 4% of votes
There is one exception to the rule of full national proportionality: a party must receive at least 4 per cent of all votes in the election to gain representation in the parliament, a rule designed to prevent very small parties from getting in.
Appointing a prime minister
The speaker of the parliament proposes a prime minister, who the parliament then votes on. The prime minister is tasked with forming a government. The prime minister personally chooses the ministers to make up the cabinet and also decides which ministers will be in charge of the various ministries. Together, the prime minister and the cabinet ministers form the government. The government governs the country but is accountable to the parliament.
The current Prime Minister of Sweden is Ulf Kristersson, of the Moderate Party.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman
The Parliamentary Ombudsman, commonly known as the Ombudsman for Justice (JO), handles complaints from anyone who feels that he/she or somebody else has been wrongly treated by a public authority or a civil servant.
The Swedish government at work
The government rules Sweden by implementing the decisions of the parliament and by formulating new laws or law amendments, on which the parliament decides.
The government is assisted in this task by the Government Offices and the Swedish government agencies (367 in total, as of 2024). The cabinet as a whole is responsible for all government decisions. Although many routine matters are in practice decided by individual ministers and only formally approved by the government, the principle of collective responsibility is reflected in all governmental work. As part of its official functions, the government:
- presents bills to the parliament
- implements parliament decisions
- allocates the funds appropriated by the parliament for expenditure on items in the budget
- represents Sweden in the EU
- enters into agreements with other states
- takes decisions in certain administrative areas not covered by other authorities
- directs the activities and operations of the executive branch.
National referendums
On rare occasions, Sweden holds national referendums. They are consultative, which means that the parliament may reach decisions that run counter to the outcome of the referendum. In Sweden’s last two referendums, the parliament decided in line with the results, as follows:
- 1994: Membership of the EU. Result: Yes.
- 2003: Introduction of the euro. Result: No.
Swedish government at local, regional and EU levels
Sweden has three levels of domestic government: national, regional and local. In addition, the European level has become increasingly important since Sweden joined the European Union (EU) in 1995.
The local level
At the local level, Sweden is divided into 290 municipalities, each with their own self-governing local authority. Municipalities are responsible for a broad range of facilities and services including housing, roads, water supply and waste water processing, schools, public welfare, elderly care, childcare and emergency preparedness. They are legally obliged to provide certain basic services. The municipalities are entitled to levy income taxes on individuals, and they also charge for various services.
All of Sweden's municipalities and regions are members of the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, an employers' organisation that represents and advocates local government.
The regional level
At the regional level, Sweden is divided into 21 regions. The regions are responsible for overseeing tasks such as healthcare and dental care. They are also entitled to levy income taxes to cover their costs.
The European level
On entering the European Union (EU) in 1995, Sweden also got a European level of government. Sweden takes part in the decision-making process when new common rules are drafted and approved, and the Swedish government represents Sweden in the Council of the European Union, the EU’s principal decision-making body.
The Presidency of the Council of the European Union rotates among the EU member states every six months, which means that Sweden holds the presidency at irregular intervals.
In the European Parliament, Sweden has 21 members. Sweden's EU Commissioner 2019–2024 is Ylva Johansson. Every five years, Swedes vote in the elections to the European Parliament.
Foreign policy
Swedish foreign policy is based on the principle that security is built in solidarity with others, and threats against peace and security are averted in cooperation with other countries or organisations.
As a consequence of a new global security situation, Sweden now plays a more active role in European security cooperation. In 2024, Sweden formally joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). In 2021, Sweden chaired the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). And during 2017–2018, Sweden was a member of the UN Security Council.
Also, Sweden aims to be a driving force in cyber security, an increasingly important part of the overall security policies.
History of Swedish elections
2022: The Moderate Party, the Christian Democrats and the Liberal Party form a government.
2018: After a lengthy process, the Social Democratic Party and the Green Party form a government.
2014: A minority left-of-centre coalition takes over after the Alliance.
2010: The ruling centre–right Alliance beats the left-of-centre coalition, but fails to gain an outright majority.
2006: The non-socialist parties form a four-party coalition government called the Alliance.
2002 and 1998: The Social Democrats remain in office after both elections, but in order to implement their policies are forced to form a parliamentary alliance with the Left Party and the Green Party.
1994: The Social Democrats form a new minority government. Starting from this year, general elections are held every four years instead of three.
1991: A non-socialist minority government of the Moderates, Liberals, the Centre Party and Christian Democrats is formed.
1988 and 1985: The Social Democrats remain in power after both elections.
1982: The non-socialist parties lose their majority and a Social Democratic minority government is formed.
1979: The non-socialist parties retain their parliamentary majority, and a new three-party government is formed. In the spring of 1981, the Moderate Party leaves the government.
1976: The Social Democrats are defeated by a coalition consisting of the Centre Party, the Moderates and the Liberal Party.
1932–1976: The Social Democrats rule without interruption, except for a period of 109 days in 1936 when Sweden has an interim government.
