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The Swedish Constitution consists of four fundamental laws (Swedish: grundlagar, singular grundlag):

There is also a law on the working order of the Parliament with a special status but which does not qualify as a "fundamental law", although certain parts of it are harder to change than ordinary laws:

To amend or to make a revision of a fundamental law, the Parliament needs to approve the changes twice in two successive terms, with a general election having been held in between. "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. Politics of Sweden takes place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic Constitutional monarchy. The monarch is the Head of state of the Kingdom of Sweden. Sweden being a Constitutional monarchy with a Representative democracy based on a The Riksdag (officially Sveriges riksdag literally The National Diet of Sweden is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The Speaker of the Parliament of Sweden (Riksdag is the speaker (talman of the national parliament in Sweden. Per Erik Gunnar Westerberg (born 2 August, 1951) is a Swedish Moderate Party politician and as of 2006 the current Speaker of the Riksdag This is a list of Members of the Riksdag, the national Parliament of Sweden. The government of Sweden is a Constitutional monarchy based on Parliamentary democracy. The Prime Minister (statsminister literally "Minister of the State" is the Head of government in Sweden. John Fredrik Reinfeldt ( pronounced) (born 4 August 1965 in Österhaninge) is the current Prime Minister of Sweden and leader of the liberal The cabinet of Fredrik Reinfeldt is the current Cabinet of Sweden. The government of Sweden is a Constitutional monarchy based on Parliamentary democracy. The Government agencies in Sweden are state controlled organizations who act independently to carry out the policies of the Swedish Government. The Counties of Sweden, or Län, are the first level administrative and political Subdivisions of Sweden. A County Administrative Board ( Länsstyrelse) is a Government appointed board of a County in Sweden. A County Council, or Landsting, is an elected assembly of a County in Sweden. The Municipalities of Sweden ( kommun) are the Local government entities of Sweden. The Sami Parliaments ( Sámediggi in Northern Sami, Sämitigge in Inari Sami, Sää´mte´ǧǧ in Skolt Elections in Sweden gives information on Elections and election results in Sweden. Results of the general election to the Riksdag, the parliament of Sweden, held Sunday September 15, 2002. A general election was held in Sweden on September 17, 2006, to elect members to the Swedish parliament. The next general election to the Swedish Riksdag will be held on Sunday September 19 2010. Political parties in Sweden lists political parties in Sweden. The foreign policy of Sweden is based on the premise that national Security is best served by staying free of alliances in peacetime in order to remain a Neutral The European Union is a unique entity possessing elements of Intergovernmentalism, Supranationalism and a Multi-party Parliamentary democracy Information on politics by country is available for every Country, including both De jure and De facto independent "Sverige" redirects here For other uses see Sweden (disambiguation and Sverige (disambiguation. A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity Swedish ( is a North Germanic language spoken by more than nine million people predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. The Act of Succession, or Successionsordningen, is a part of the Swedish Constitution. Year 1810 ( MDCCCX) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Year 1949 ( MCMXLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Year 1991 ( MCMXCI) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar. Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. The change can be dismissed but not formally approved by a popular vote coinciding with such a general election, although this option has never been utilised. If the people do not dismiss a change, it still has to be ratified by the newly elected Parliament.

Contents

Instrument of Government

The most important of the "fundamental laws" is The Instrument of Government (Swedish: Regeringsformen, RF. Swedish ( is a North Germanic language spoken by more than nine million people predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the ) It sets out the basic principles for political life in Sweden defining rights and freedoms.

The parliamentarian Instrument of Government of 1974 grants the power to commission a Prime Minister to the Parliament (Swedish: Riksdag) at the suggestion of the Speaker of the Riksdag. A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in American English) is a System of government in which Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. This article is about the government position For other uses see Prime Minister (disambiguation. Swedish ( is a North Germanic language spoken by more than nine million people predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the The Prime Minister appoints members of Cabinet including heads of ministries, totalling to approximately 22 members. A cabinet is a body of high-ranking members of Government, typically representing the executive branch. A ministry is a specialised organisation responsible for a sector of Government Public administration, sometimes led by a minister, but usually a senior The Cabinet decides collectively in governmental matters after report of the Head of Ministry in question. For the government of parliamentary systems see Executive (government. At least five Cabinet members are to be present at the decision. In practice reports are written, and discussions very rare, during the formal Cabinet meetings.

Remaining constitutional functions for The Head of State, i. Head of state is the generic term for the individual or collective office that serves as the chief public representative of a Monarchic or Republican Nation-state e. the King, include: heading the Council of State (the King plus the Cabinet), heading the Council on Foreign Affairs, recognizing new Cabinets (in the Council of State), and opening the Parliament's yearly session. The King is to be continuously briefed on governmental issues – in the Council of State or directly by the Prime Minister.

The first constitutional Instrument of Government was enacted in 1719, marking the transition from autocracy to parliamentarism. Year 1719 ( MDCCXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a An autocracy is a Form of government in which the Political power is held by a single self-appointed ruler A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in American English) is a System of government in which Sweden's bloodless revolution of 1772 was legitimized by the Parliament in new versions of the Instrument of Government (in 1772 and 1789), making the King a "Constitutional Autocrat". Year 1772 ( MDCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1772 ( MDCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1789 ( MDCCLXXXIX) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common When Sweden was split in 1809, and the Grand Duchy of Finland was created as an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, this "Constitutional Autocracy" was very well fitted and remained in force until Finland's independence in 1917. Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Grand Duchy of Finland (Magnus Ducatus Finlandiæ Великое княжество Финляндское ' Velikoe knjažestvo finljandskoe) was the Predecessor An autonomous area is an area of a Country that has a degree of Autonomy, or freedom from an external authority The Russian Empire ( Pre-reform Russian: Pоссійская Имперія Modern Russian: Российская Империя translit: Rossiyskaya Finland, officially the Republic of Finland ( is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of northern Europe. Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year

In Sweden the loss of virtually half the realm led to another bloodless revolution, a new royal dynasty, and a new Instrument of Government of June 6, 1809 (as well as a new Freedom of Press Act and Act of Succession), under which the King still played a central role in government, however no longer independent of the Privy Council. A dynasty is a succession of rulers who belong to the same family for generations The Instrument of Government, or Regeringsformen, adopted on June 6, 1809 by the Riksdag of the Estates was the constitution of Events 1508 - Maximilian I Holy Roman Emperor, is defeated in Friulia by Venetian forces; he is forced to sign a three-year Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm (in Swedish Riksrådet until 1687 sometimes Latinised as Senatus Regni Sueciae) consisted originally The King was free to choose Councillors, but was bound to decide in governmental matters only in presence of the Privy Council, or a subset thereof, and after report of the Councillor responsible for the matter in question. The Councillor had to countersign a royal decision, unless it was unconstitutional, whereby it gained legal force. The Councillor was legally responsible for his advice and was obliged to note his dissension in case he did not agree with the King's decision. De jure this Constitution puts a considerable power on the King; a power increasingly used to follow the Councillors' advice, and, from 1917, to adhere to principles of parliamentarism by choosing Councillors possessing direct or indirect support from a majority of the Parliament. Year 1917 ( MCMXVII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in American English) is a System of government in which

After over 50 years of de facto parliamentarism it was written into the Instrument of Government of 1974 which, although technically adherent to Constitutional monarchy, finally abolished the Privy Council. A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in American English) is a System of government in which Year 1974 ( MCMLXXIV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display full calendar of the 1974 Gregorian calendar. A constitutional monarchy, or a limited monarchy, is a form of Constitutional Government, wherein either an elected or hereditary Monarch is The High Council of Sweden or Council of the Realm (in Swedish Riksrådet until 1687 sometimes Latinised as Senatus Regni Sueciae) consisted originally

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

Act of Succession

Main article: Act of Succession

Sweden's switch from elective to hereditary monarchy in 1544 gave reason to Sweden's first law of constitutional character, in form of a treaty between the royal dynasty and the realm represented by the four Estates to be valid for all times. The Act of Succession, or Successionsordningen, is a part of the Swedish Constitution. A monarchy is a Form of government in which supreme power is actually or nominally lodged in an individual who is the Head of state, often for life or A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity A dynasty is a succession of rulers who belong to the same family for generations The Riksdag of the Estates, or Ståndsriksdagen, was the name used for the Estates of the Swedish realm, or Rikets ständer, when they were assembled

Accordingly the current 1810 Act of Succession (Swedish: Successionsordningen, SO) is a treaty between the old Riksdag of the Estates and the House of Bernadotte regulating the right to accede to the Swedish throne. Swedish ( is a North Germanic language spoken by more than nine million people predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the The Riksdag of the Estates, or Ståndsriksdagen, was the name used for the Estates of the Swedish realm, or Rikets ständer, when they were assembled In 1980 the old principle of "agnatic primogeniture", which meant that the throne was inherited by the eldest male child of the preceding monarch, was replaced by the principle of "equal primogeniture. Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) Primogeniture is the Common law right of the Firstborn son to inherit the entire estate, to the exclusion of younger siblings " This meant that the throne will be inherited by the eldest child without regard to sex. Thereby Princess Victoria, the eldest child of King Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden, was created heiress apparent to the Swedish throne over her younger brother, until then Crown Prince Carl Philip.

Freedom of the press and freedom of expression

The other two acts define the freedom of the press and other forms of expression. Freedom Constitutional or statutory protections pertaining to freedom of the press Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without Censorship or Limitation. They are separated into two separate laws mainly to maintain the tradition of the Freedom of the Press Act from 1766. Year 1766 ( MDCCLXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a

The Freedom of the Press Act (Swedish: Tryckfrihetsförordningen, TF) has actually been changed several times since its first incarnation. Swedish ( is a North Germanic language spoken by more than nine million people predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the In 1772, 1810, 1812, 1949 and 1982. It was not, however, until the 1810 Act that what we today generally call freedom of expression was secured. The 1766 Act held for example that freedom of expression was to be uninhibited, except for "violations", which included blasphemy and criticism of the state. Blasphemy is the disrespectful use of the name of one or more gods.

The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (Swedish: Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen, YGL) of 1991 is a lengthier document defining freedom of expression in all media except for written books and magazines (such as television, the Internet, radio, etc. Swedish ( is a North Germanic language spoken by more than nine million people predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the )

Public access to governmental documents

In the 18th century, after over 40 years of mixed experiences with parliamentarism, public access to government documents was one of the main issues with the Freedom of the Press Act of 1766. A parliamentary system, also known as parliamentarianism (and parliamentarism in American English) is a System of government in which Year 1766 ( MDCCLXVI) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Although the novelty was put out of order 1772–1809, it has since remained central in the Swedish mindset, seen as a forceful means against corruption and government agencies' unequal treatment of the citizens, increasing the perceived legitimacy of (local and central) government and politicians. Year 1772 ( MDCCLXXII) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1809 ( MDCCCIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Political corruption is the use of governmental powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain A politician (from Greek " Polis " is an individual who is involved in influencing public decision making through the influence of Politics or a person The Principle of Publicity (Swedish: Offentlighetsprincipen), as the collection of rules are commonly referred to, provides that all information and documents created or received by a public institution (local or central government, and all publicly operated establishments) must be available to all members of the public. Swedish ( is a North Germanic language spoken by more than nine million people predominantly in Sweden and parts of Finland, especially along the It also states that all public institutions must do everything in their power to give anyone access to any information that he or she might want as soon as possible. The only exceptions to this rule are regulated in the Secrecy Act (Sekretesslag 1980:100), detailing what government agencies can keep secret what type of document, under what circumstances, and towards whom. According to the Second Chapter, Article 2, in the Freedom of the Press Act (part of the Swedish constitution): "The right of access to official documents may be restricted only if restriction is necessary having regard to

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

Lutheran State Church

See also: Church of Sweden

In 1593, after 70 years of Reformation and Counter-Reformation in Sweden, adherence to the Augsburg confession was decided and given constitutional status at the Synod of Uppsala (Uppsala möte). The Church of Sweden (Svenska kyrkan Ruoŧa girkui is the largest church in Sweden. The Protestant Reformation was a reform movement in Europe that began in 1517 though its roots lie further back in time The Counter-Reformation (also Catholic Reformation denotes the period of Catholic revival from the pontificate of Pope Pius IV in 1560 to the close of the The Augsburg Confession, also known as the "Augustana" from its Latin name Confessio Augustana is the primary confession of faith of the Lutheran A constitution is a system for government often Codified as a written document that establishes the rules and principles of an autonomous political entity The Uppsala Synod in 1593 was the most important Synod of the Lutheran Church of Sweden. References to Uppsala möte have since then been worked into the fundamental laws, notably the Act of Succession. The Act of Succession, or Successionsordningen, is a part of the Swedish Constitution.

In 1999 the Church was separated from the state and became an independent organization, but the ruling body of the church is still decided by public voting (among members of the church), and mostly consists of the political parties. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar) As a result of this separation, people born in Sweden where the parents are members of the Church of Sweden since 1999 no longer become members of the church automatically at birth. The Church of Sweden (Svenska kyrkan Ruoŧa girkui is the largest church in Sweden. Year 1999 ( MCMXCIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display full 1999 Gregorian calendar)

See also

External links

The Instrument of Government of 1634 was Sweden's first It regulated some of the administration judiciary and the military Sweden's Constitution of 1772 took effect through a bloodless Coup d'état carried out by King Gustav III, establishing a brief Absolute monarchy in Sweden The Instrument of Government, or Regeringsformen, adopted on June 6, 1809 by the Riksdag of the Estates was the constitution of The Riksdag is the official Swedish term of the Parliament of Sweden and the Parliament of Finland (in Finland alongside
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