View source for Politics of Sweden

{{Short description|none}} <!-- "none" is preferred when the title is sufficiently descriptive; see [[WP:SDNONE]] -->
{{Politics of Sweden|all}}
The '''politics of Sweden''' take place in a framework of a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[constitutional monarchy]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government, led by the [[Prime Minister of Sweden|Prime Minister]]. [[Legislative power]] is vested in both the [[government]] and parliament, elected within a [[multi-party system]]. The [[Judiciary of Sweden|judiciary]] is independent, appointed by the government and employed until retirement. [[Sweden]] is formally a monarchy with a monarch holding symbolic power.

<!-- formidabelt trams: Popular government in Sweden rests upon ancient traditions. The Swedish [[Riksdag]] stems from the ancient court system used by all Germanic peoples, the [[Thing (assembly)|Ting]], and the election of kings in the Viking age.-->Sweden has a typical Western [[Europe]]an history of democracy, beginning with the old [[Viking]] age [[Thing (assembly)|Ting]] electing kings, evolving into a hereditary royal power in the 16th century, that in periods became more or less democratic depending on the general European trends. The current democratic regime is a product of a stable development of successively added democratic institutions introduced during the 19th century up to 1921, when women's suffrage was introduced. The [[Government of Sweden]] has adhered to [[parliamentarism]] — ''de jure'' since 1975, ''de facto'' since 1917.

Since the [[Great Depression]], Swedish national politics has largely been dominated by the [[Social Democrats (Sweden)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]], which has held a plurality (and sometimes a majority) in the Swedish parliament since 1917. [[Elections in Sweden|General elections]] are held every four years. 

The Economist Intelligence Unit rated Sweden a "full democracy" in its report for 2020.<ref>[https://www.eiu.com/n/campaigns/democracy-index-2020/ EIU 2020 report]</ref> According to the [[V-Dem Democracy indices]] Sweden was 2023 the third most electoral democratic country in the world.<ref name="vdem_dataset">{{cite web |last=V-Dem Institute |date=2023 |title=The V-Dem Dataset |url=https://www.v-dem.net/data/the-v-dem-dataset/ |access-date=14 October 2023}}</ref> According to [[Freedom House]] Sweden scored 40/40 for protection of [[political rights]] in 2020.<!-- Note: this figure is focused on holding free elections  --><ref>{{cite web |title=Sweden: Freedom in the World 2020 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/sweden/freedom-world/2020 |website=Freedom House |access-date=1 July 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

== Constitution ==
{{main|Constitution of Sweden}}
The Constitution of Sweden consists of four fundamental laws. The most important is the Instrument of Government of 1974 which sets out the basic principles of political life in Sweden, defining rights and freedoms. The Act of Succession is a treaty between the old [[Riksdag of the Estates]] and [[House of Bernadotte]] regulating their rights to accede to the Swedish throne. The constitution differs from most other Western countries in aspects such as having a [[Unicameralism|unicameral parliament]], limited [[municipal autonomy]], and the lack of a supreme court with power to overturn acts of the legislature. Instead of [[checks and balances]] the executive power is entrusted to the politicians.

The four fundamental laws are:
*[[Instrument of Government (1974)]]
*[[Swedish Act of Succession|Act of Succession]] (1809)
*[[Freedom of the Press Act (1766)]]
*[[Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (1991)]]<ref>{{Cite web|date=2022-01-21|title=Swedish government|url=https://sweden.se/life/democracy/swedish-government|access-date=2022-02-17|website=sweden.se|language=en-GB}}</ref>

== Monarchy ==
{{main|Monarchy of Sweden}}
A [[Hereditary monarchy|hereditary]] [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|monarch]], currently [[Carl XVI Gustaf|King Carl XVI Gustaf]] of the [[House of Bernadotte]] serves as head of state since 1973. His authority is formal, symbolic, and representational. 

[[Heir apparent|Heiress apparent]] to the throne is [[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Crown Princess Victoria]] since 1980.

== Executive branch ==
=== Head of government ===
{{main|Prime Minister of Sweden}}
The prime minister of Sweden is nominated by the [[speaker of the Riksdag]] and elected through negative parliamentarism. In practice, this means that the prime minister nominee is confirmed if fewer than 175 members of parliament vote 'no', regardless of the number of 'yes' votes or abstentions.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.regeringen.se/sa-styrs-sverige/sa-arbetar-regeringen-och-regeringskansliet/sa-bildas-regeringen/|title=Så bildas regeringen|last=Regeringskansliet|first=Regeringen och|date=2014-11-05|website=Regeringskansliet|language=sv|access-date=2019-11-18}}</ref>

Following a lengthy [[2018–19 Swedish government formation|government formation]] process as a result of the [[2018 Swedish general election|general election]] held on 9 September 2018, [[Stefan Löfven]] of the [[Swedish Social Democratic Party]] was re-elected prime minister of Sweden for a second term by the new parliament on 18 January 2019, after initially being ousted by parliament. Together with the [[Green Party (Sweden)|Green Party]], Löfven presided over a [[Löfven II Cabinet|minority government]] which relied on [[confidence and supply]] from the [[Centre Party (Sweden)|Centre Party]] and [[Liberals (Sweden)|Liberals]].

The [[Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden|deputy prime minister]] was [[Isabella Lövin]] of the Green Party.<ref>{{Citation | quote = Stefan Löfven (S) är ny statsminister i en minoritetsregering som består av Socialdemokraterna och Miljöpartiet. | language = sv | place = [[Sweden|SE]] | url = http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Start/Aktuellt/Riksdagen-rostar-om-forslaget-till-statsminister/ | title = Sverige har fått en ny regering | publisher = Riksdagen | date = 2 October 2014}}.</ref> 

In August 2021, Prime Minister Stefan Löfven announced his resignation and Finance Minister [[Magdalena Andersson]] was elected as the new head of Sweden's ruling Social Democrats in November 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sweden's Social Democrats elect Magdalena Andersson as leader |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20211104-sweden-s-social-democrats-elect-magdalena-andersson-as-leader |work=France 24 |date=4 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref> On 30 November 2021, Magdalena Andersson became Sweden's first female prime minister. She formed a minority government made up of only her Social Democrats. Her plan for forming a new coalition government with the Green Party was unsuccessful because her budget proposal failed to pass.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Simon |last2=Pollard |first2=Niklas |title=Sweden's first female premier returns days after quitting |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/swedish-parliament-elects-social-democrat-leader-new-pm-again-2021-11-29/ |work=Reuters |date=29 November 2021 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Magdalena Andersson: Sweden's first female PM returns after resignation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-59459733 |work=BBC News |date=29 November 2021}}</ref>

On 18 October 2022, [[Ulf Kristersson]] of the [[Moderate Party]] became the new prime minister of Sweden.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/ulf-kristersson-names-ministers-in-his-three-party-government|title=Ulf Kristersson names ministers in his three-party government|first=Radio|last=Sweden|date=18 October 2022|accessdate=18 October 2022|via=Sveriges Radio}}</ref> Kristersson's Moderates formed a [[Kristersson cabinet|centre-right coalition]] with the [[Christian Democrats (Sweden)|Christian Democrats]] and the [[Liberals (Sweden)|Liberals]]. The new government is backed by the biggest right-wing party, Sweden Democrats (SD) led by [[Jimmie Åkesson]], with tougher immigration policies being a crucial part of a policy deal with the SD.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ulf Kristersson: Swedish parliament elects new PM backed by far right |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63289903 |work=BBC News |date=17 October 2022}}</ref>

=== Government ===
{{main|Government of Sweden}}

The highest executive authority of the state is vested in the government, which consists of a prime minister and roughly 22 ministers who head the ministries.
The ministers are appointed at the sole discretion of the prime minister. The prime minister is nominated by the speaker and appointed following a vote in the Riksdag itself. The [[Monarchy of Sweden|monarch]] plays no part in this process. The only way to oust a government is through a [[motion of no confidence]] (''misstroendevotum'') in the Riksdag. This motion must get a majority of the total number of votes in the Riksdag (at least 175). Another example of the power the legislature has given the government is the adoption of the budget in the Riksdag. The government's proposition to budget is adopted, unless a majority of the members of the Riksdag vote against it. This is to make it possible to govern even in minority.

The main functions of the government are to:

* Present bills to the [[Riksdag]]
* Implement decisions taken by the Riksdag
* Exercise responsibility for the budget approved by the Riksdag
* Represent Sweden in the [[European Union]]
* Enter into agreements with other states
* Directing central government activities<ref>{{Cite web|date=2014|title=How Sweden is governed|url=https://www.regeringen.se/49bb4b/contentassets/5f259beaa8464e8483a3756d509625fc/how-sweden-is-governed-sa-styrs-sverige-pa-engelska|website=Regeringen}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

== Legislative branch ==
{{main|Riksdag|Member of Parliament (Sweden)}}

The unicameral Riksdag has 349 [[Member of Parliament (Sweden)|members]], popularly elected every four years. It is in session generally from September through mid-June.

[[Image:Riksdagen June 2011.jpg|thumb|220px|The Riksdag in Stockholm]]
[[Image:Riksdag assembly hall 2006.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Inside the Riksdag]]

Legislation may be initiated by the [[Government of Sweden|Cabinet]] or by members of the Riksdag. Members are elected on the basis of [[proportional representation]] for a four-year term. The Riksdag can alter the [[Constitution of Sweden]], but only with approval by a [[supermajority]] and confirmation after the following general elections.

The Swedish Social Democratic Party has played a leading political role since 1917, after [[Reformist]]s confirmed their strength and the [[Left Party (Sweden)|revolutionaries]] left the party. After 1932, the Cabinets have been dominated by the Social Democrats. Only six general elections (1976, 1979, 1991, 2006, 2010 and 2022) have given the centre-right bloc enough seats in the Riksdag to form a government. This is considered one reason for the Swedish post-war [[welfare state]], with a government expenditure of slightly more than 50% of the [[gross domestic product]].

== Political parties and elections ==
{{Main|List of political parties in Sweden|Elections in Sweden}}
A general election is held alongside local and regional elections every four years. The last election was held on 11 September 2022.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Dougall |first1=David Mac |title=Why the far-right were the biggest winners in Sweden's election |url=https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2022/09/16/sweden-election-why-the-far-right-were-the-biggest-winners-and-four-other-takeaways |work=euronews |date=16 September 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

== Judiciary ==
{{main|Judiciary of Sweden}}

Swedish law, drawing on Germanic, Roman, and Anglo-American law, is neither as codified as in France and other countries influenced by the [[Napoleonic Code]], nor as dependent on judicial practice and precedents as in the [[United States]].

*''Courts'': Civil and criminal jurisdiction
**[[Supreme Court of Sweden|Supreme Court]] or ''Högsta domstolen'' (literally ''The Highest Court'') Note: the supreme court has no power to overturn any laws, including laws in conflict with the constitution.
**
**
**[[Courts of appeal in Sweden|Courts of appeal]] or ''[[Hovrätt]]er'' (literally ''Royal Court'') 
**[[District courts of Sweden|District courts]] or ''[[Tingsrätt]]er'' (literally ''Thing assembly Court'')
*''Administrative Courts'': Litigation between the Public and the Government.
**The [[Supreme Administrative Court of Sweden|Supreme Administrative Court]] or ''Högsta förvaltningsdomstolen<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hogstaforvaltningsdomstolen.se/Om-Hogsta-forvaltningsdomstolen/|title = Om Högsta förvaltningsdomstolen}}</ref>'' (literally ''Government/Regent Court'') 
**[[Administrative courts of appeal in Sweden|Administrative courts of appeal]] or ''Kammarrätter'' (literally ''Chamber Court'') 
**[[Administrative courts in Sweden|Administrative courts]] or ''Förvaltningsrätt'' (literally ''Administration Court'')
*''Ombudsman'':
**The [[Parliamentary Ombudsman]] or ''Justitieombudsmannen,'' 
**
**The [[Chancellor of Justice]] or ''Justitiekanslern''

== Government agencies ==
{{Main|Government agencies in Sweden}}
Government policy is carried out by the administrative authorities (''förvaltningsmyndigheter'') and government agencies of Sweden. These bodies are state-controlled and are formally headed by government-appointed directors-general but act independently from the executive and legislative branches of government. [[Ministerial governance]] (''ministerstyre'') is illegal; in accordance with 2 §, chapter 12 of the [[Basic Laws of Sweden#Instrument of Government|Instrument of Government]], no member of the Riksdag or government may interfere in the day-to-day operation of an agency, nor in the outcome of individual cases.

== Politicians ==
Sweden has a history of strong political involvement by ordinary people through its "popular movements" (''folkrörelser''), the most notable being [[trade unions]], the [[women's movement]], the [[temperance Movement in Sweden|temperance movement]], and – more recently – sports movement. Election turnout in Sweden has always been high in international comparisons, although it has declined in recent decades, and is around 87%, (87.18% in the [[2018 Swedish general election|general election of 2018]]).

Some Swedish political figures that have become known worldwide include [[Joe Hill (activist)|Joe Hill]], [[Carl Skoglund]], [[Raoul Wallenberg]], [[Folke Bernadotte]], [[Dag Hammarskjöld]], [[Olof Palme]], [[Carl Bildt]], [[Hans Blix]], and [[Anna Lindh]].

According to a survey investigation by the sociologist Jenny Hansson,<ref>{{cite web | language = sv | url = http://www8.umu.se/soc/personal/Jenny%20Hanssons%20avhandlingsarbete.%20Presentation%20samt%20.pdf | last = Hansson | first = Jenny | year = 2008 | title = De Folkvaldas Livsvillkor | place = Umea | publisher = Umea University | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090303215553/http://www8.umu.se/soc/personal/Jenny%20Hanssons%20avhandlingsarbete.%20Presentation%20samt%20.pdf | archive-date = 2009-03-03 }}</ref> Swedish national parliamentarians have an average work week of 66 hours, including side responsibilities. Hansson's investigation further reports that the average Swedish national parliamentarian sleeps 6.5 hours per night.

== Administrative divisions ==
{{main|Counties of Sweden}}
Sweden is divided into 21 counties. In each county there is a [[County administrative boards of Sweden|county administrative board]] and a [[County councils of Sweden|county council]]. Each county contains several [[Municipalities of Sweden|municipalities]], in total 290. [[Stockholm]] is the capital of Sweden. The king, the Riksdag and the government have their permanent seat in [[Stockholm]]. Up to 1968 when the Overgovernor's Office was incorporated into [[Stockholm County]], it had a special status. 

As of the 1974 constitutional revision, the number of municipal divisions was reduced from several thousand to 290, while also removing previous functions of the municipal governments (such as local laws, local law enforcement, and more).

== Energy politics ==
{{details |Nuclear power in Sweden}}
After the [[1973 oil crisis]], the [[energy]] politics were determined to become less dependent on the import of [[petroleum]]. Since then, electricity has been generated mostly from [[hydropower]] and nuclear power. Sweden wants to be independent of petroleum use by 2020. The [[Three Mile Island accident]] (United States) prompted the [[Swedish parliament]] in 1980 after a [[referendum]] to decide that no further nuclear power plants should be built and that a [[nuclear power phase-out]] should be completed by 2010. Following the recommendation of the 1980 referendum, [[Barsebäck Nuclear Power Plant|two nuclear power reactors]] were closed by government decision in 1999 and 2005, respectively. However, in February 2009, the Swedish centre-right wing government announced that new nuclear power stations may be constructed if they replace old ones, thus ending the previous de facto phase out policy.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=24606 | title = World nuclear news | access-date = 2010-01-24 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110319004958/http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=24606 | archive-date = 2011-03-19 | url-status = dead }}.</ref>

{{As of |2005}}, the use of [[renewable energy|renewables]] amounted to 26% of the energy supply in Sweden, most important being [[hydroelectricity|hydropower]] and [[biomass]]. In 2003, electricity from hydropower accounted for 53 [[TWh]] and 40% of the country's production of [[electricity]] with nuclear power delivering 65 TWh (49%). At the same time, the use of [[biofuel]]s, [[peat]] etc. produced 13 TWh of electricity.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.scb.se/Pages/TableAndChart____24270.aspx | publisher = SCB | title = Figures about energy production and usage 1994–2003 | language = sv}}.</ref> Sweden was the highest ranked country in the [[Climate Change Performance Index]] until 2022, when it was displaced by Denmark.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://ccpi.org/country/swe/ |title=CCPI Countries and Rankings: Sweden |access-date=2022-08-11 |website=[[Climate Change Performance Index]]}}</ref>

In March 2005, an opinion poll showed that 83% supported maintaining or increasing nuclear power.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.uic.com.au/nip39.htm | title = Nuclear Power in Sweden | publisher = Uranium Information Centre | place = Australia | access-date = 2006-06-12 | archive-date = 2007-07-12 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070712203350/http://www.uic.com.au/nip39.htm | url-status = dead }}.</ref> Since then however, reports about radioactive leakages at a nuclear waste store in Forsmark, Sweden, have been published.<ref>{{Citation | url = https://www.forbes.com/finance/feeds/afx/2005/06/29/afx2116521.html | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071208155202/http://www.forbes.com/finance/feeds/afx/2005/06/29/afx2116521.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = December 8, 2007 | title = Swedish nuclear power station leaks high levels of radioactive waste into Baltic | newspaper = Forbes | date = June 29, 2005}}.</ref> This does not seem to have changed the public support of continued use of nuclear power.

== Foreign relations ==
{{main|Foreign relations of Sweden}}
Throughout the 20th century, [[Swedish foreign policy]] was based on the principle of [[Non-Aligned Movement|non-alignment]] in peacetime, [[Neutral country|neutrality]] in wartime. This principle has often been criticised in Sweden, allegedly being a facade, claiming that the Swedish government had an advanced collaboration with western countries within [[NATO]].

During [[Cold War]] era politics, Sweden was not under the [[Warsaw Pact]] and received only minimal aid from the [[Marshall Plan]]. In 1952, a Swedish [[DC-3]] was [[Catalina affair|shot down]] over the Baltic Sea while gathering reconnaissance. It was later revealed that the plane had been shot down by the Soviet Union. Another plane, a [[PBY Catalina|Catalina]] [[search and rescue]] craft, was sent out a few days later and shot down by Soviets warplanes as well.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Pashakhanlou |first1=Arash Heydarian |title=Swedish Air Power History: A Holistic Overview |journal=Air Power History |date=Fall 2018 |volume=65 |issue=3 |pages=7–14}}</ref>

Sweden is also very active in international peace efforts, especially through the [[United Nations]], and in support to the [[Third World]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}}

In 1995 Sweden, together with [[Finland]] and Austria, joined the [[European Union]], which extended the number of member countries from 12 to 15. Membership and its issues are among the most important questions in Swedish politics. Apart from the European Union, Sweden is also an active member of the United Nations and several other organisations such as the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] and [[International Monetary Fund]].

In May 2022, Sweden formally applied to join the [[NATO]] alliance. The public opinion in the Nordic region had changed in favour of joining NATO since [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine|Russia's Feb. 24 invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Emmott |first1=Robin |last2=Devranoglu |first2=Nevzat |title=Finland, Sweden apply to join NATO amid Turkish objections |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/finland-sweden-submit-application-join-nato-2022-05-18/ |work=Reuters |date=18 May 2022 |language=en}}</ref>

Soon after his appointment in October 2022, new foreign minister, [[Tobias Billström]], announced that Sweden will renounce "[[feminist foreign policy]]", implemented by the previous left-wing government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Sweden ditches 'feminist foreign policy' |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63311743 |work=BBC News |date=19 October 2022}}</ref>
Sweden joined [[NATO]] on 7 March 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-07 |title=Sweden officially joins NATO, ending decades of post-World War II neutrality |url=https://apnews.com/article/sweden-nato-us-russia-ukraine-8372bc866c8ddcf42d2b8209fa5cd2b1 |access-date=2024-03-07 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

== See also ==
*[[List of political parties in Sweden]]
*[[Swedish Armed Forces]]
*[[Referendums in Sweden]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|2}}

== Further reading ==
*[[CIA World Factbook]]: [https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/sweden/ Sweden].
*[[United States Department of State]]: [https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2880.htm Sweden].
* {{Citation | first1 = Jan | last1 = Burck | first2 = Christoph | last2 = Bals | first3 = Marisa | last3 = Beck | first4 = Elisabeth | last4 = Rüthlein | title = Climate Change Performance Index 2008 | date = December 2007 | publisher = German watch | url = http://www.germanwatch.org/klima/ccpi2008.Pdf | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140824001358/http://germanwatch.org/klima/ccpi2008.pdf | archive-date = 2014-08-24 }}.
* {{Citation | first = Jenny | last = Hansson | year = 2008 | title = Report on Swedish national parliamentarians' work hours, sleep and life satisfaction | contribution = De Folkvaldas Livsvillkor | place = SE | url = http://www8.umu.se/soc/personal/Jenny%20Hanssons%20avhandlingsarbete.%20Presentation%20samt%20.pdf | publisher = UMU | language = sv | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090303215553/http://www8.umu.se/soc/personal/Jenny%20Hanssons%20avhandlingsarbete.%20Presentation%20samt%20.pdf | archive-date = 2009-03-03 }}.
* {{Cite journal |last1= Diermeier | first1= Daniel |last2= Eraslan | first2= Hülya |last3= Merlo | first3= Antonio | title = Bicameralism and government formation | journal = [[Quarterly Journal of Political Science]] | volume = 2 | issue = 3 | pages = 227–252 | publisher = Now Publishing Inc. | doi = 10.1561/100.00005004 | date = August 2007 | hdl= 10419/117965 | hdl-access = free }}

== External links ==
*[http://www.sweden.gov.se/  The Government]
*[http://www.riksdagen.se/  The Riksdag]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110527225553/http://www.royalcourt.se/  The Royal Court]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130126235535/http://regeringen.se/sb/d/9395 How Sweden is governed], Swedish Government

{{Sweden topics}}
{{Politics of Europe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of Sweden}}
[[Category:Politics of Sweden| ]]