Glossary

A number of unfamiliar words and phrases are used in the Riksdag. The glossary explains the most commonly used words and phrases and includes the corresponding Swedish terms.

A

Abeyance

See:

Decision in abeyance

Abstain (Sw: avstå)

When a member chooses not to vote yes or no in the Chamber, he or she abstains.

A member of the Riksdag can abstain from voting on a proposal; he or she neither votes for nor against a proposal.

Acclamation (Sw: acklamation)

Decision-making without a vote.

When the members of the Riksdag are going to take a decision on a matter in the Chamber, the Speaker asks whether they are in favour of the committee’s proposal for a decision. If none of the members oppose the proposal, the Speaker concludes that the answer is yes and confirms the decision with a strike of the gavel. This method of decision-making is known as decision by acclamation. The word acclamation comes from the Latin verb acclamare which means to meet with approval.

Account (Sw: redogörelse)

Report from the Government or a Riksdag body, for example the Riksdag Board.

The Government, the parliamentary committees or any other elected group in the Riksdag can present accounts to the Riksdag. Accounts usually concern a certain area of activity. They are usually considered by the parliamentary committees and in the Chamber.

Act of Succession (Sw: successionsordningen)

Fundamental law containing provisions determining the way in which the throne is inherited.

It is set out in the Instrument of Government that Sweden shall have a king or queen as head of state. It is, however, the Act of Succession that contains the rules on who shall succeed to the throne. The Act of Succession (1810) is the oldest of Sweden’s fundamental laws.

Address (Sw: anförande)

Speech or contribution to a debate in the Chamber.

Adjourn (Sw: ajournera)

To break off a meeting, usually with the intention of resuming it later.

Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs (Sw: utrikesnämnden)

Council for consultation on foreign policy between the Government and the Riksdag.

In the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs, the Government discusses and seeks support for its foreign policy with the Riksdag. The Council consists of the Speaker and 18 members of the Riksdag, nine ordinary members and nine deputy members. The Council is chaired by the head of state.

The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs

Agenda

See:

Order paper

Alternate member (Sw: ersättare)

Member who is called in when a member of the Riksdag is absent from his or her duties for one month or more.

An alternate is called in for a member who is absent from his or her duties for at least one month. Alternate members are appointed by each party in connection with elections to the Riksdag. An absent member can resume his or her duties in the Riksdag at any time. The alternate member’s assignment is then terminated.

Amending budget (Sw: ändringsbudget)

Amendment to the central government budget for the current year.

Sometimes, things do not turn out as the Government and Riksdag intended. A government agency may perhaps need more money than it was allocated in the central government budget. If necessary, the Government can propose that the Riksdag change the central government budget with an amending budget.

Amending budgets

Announcement (Sw: tillkännagivande)

Decision in which the Riksdag calls on the Government to do something.

By way of an announcement, the Riksdag can, for example, call on the Government to examine a specific issue or present a new piece of draft legislation. In general, it is assumed that the Government will comply with the Riksdag’s request, but if the Government makes another assessment, it can refrain from doing so. In an annual written communication, the Government reports to the Riksdag on how it has reacted to the Riksdag’s announcements.

Appropriation (Sw: anslag)

Sum of money from the central government budget for a specific area of activity.

An appropriation is a sum of money from the central government budget that is, for example, allocated to a public authority and is to be used for various parts of the authority’s activities.

Authorities under the Riksdag (Sw: Riksdagens myndigheter)

The Riksdag Administration, the Riksbank, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the National Audit Office are all authorities under the Riksdag.

Authorities and boards under the Riksdag

B

Bicameral parliament (Sw: tvåkammarriksdag)

Parliament with a First and a Second Chamber.

Sweden had a bicameral parliament from 1865 until 1971, when it was replaced by the current unicameral parliament.

Bill refusal (Sw: propositionsvägran)

The Speaker can refuse to take up a proposal for a decision in the Chamber if he or she considers that it conflicts with one of the fundamental laws or the Riksdag Act. If the Chamber insists that the proposal should be taken up for debate resulting in a decision, the Committee on the Constitution determines the matter.

Budget

See:

Central government budget

Budget Bill (Sw: budgetproposition)

The Government’s proposals regarding the central government budget for the coming budget year.

The Budget Bill includes a budget statement, budget policy objectives, limits for expenditure areas, appropriation proposals and an estimate of central government revenue. The Bill must be submitted to the Riksdag by no later than 20 September, except in an election year, when this period can be prolonged. In the case of a change of government, the Bill must be presented within three weeks of the new Government taking office, but no later than 15 November. A debate is held in the Chamber after the Government has submitted the Budget Bill to the Riksdag.

The Budget Bill

Budget debate (Sw: budgetdebatt)

Debate on the central government budget for the coming budget year.

The Riksdag debates and decides on the central government budget in two stages. In the first stage, the Riksdag debates and takes a decision on total expenditure and an estimate of revenue in the central government budget. In the second stage, on different occasions in November and December, it debates and decides what the money in the various expenditure areas is to be used for.

Budget process (Sw: budgetprocessen)

Consideration by the Riksdag of the Government’s proposals regarding the central government budget.

The Riksdag considers the Government’s proposals for the central government budget in two stages. In the first stage, the Riksdag takes a decision on total expenditure and an estimate of revenue in the central government budget. This decision determines how much money goes to the various areas of society – the expenditure areas. In the second stage, the Riksdag determines the details. This means that the Riksdag decides what the money in the various expenditure areas shall be used for.

Budget statement (Sw: finansplan)

Plan for Sweden’s economic policy and for the development of the economy.

The budget statement is the Government’s plan for Sweden’s economic policy and a forecast for the development of the economy. It is part of the Budget Bill and the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill.

Budget year (Sw: budgetår)

Period covered by the central government budget.

In the central government sector, the budget year coincides with the calendar year, that is January–December.

C

Caretaker government (Sw: övergångsregering)

Government which has resigned but remains in place until a new government has been appointed.

A caretaker government has resigned but remains in place to carry out routine business until a new government has been appointed.

Central government budget (Sw: statens budget)

Plan for central government revenue and expenditure during a budget year.

How the Riksdag determines the central government budget

Chamber (Sw: kammaren)

Venue for meetings of the Riksdag.

The Chamber is the venue for meetings of the Riksdag. It is also referred to as the plenary Chamber. The Chamber is the heart of the Riksdag and the centre of political debate. The expression is also used to denote the members of the Riksdag when they are assembled for a meeting (meeting of the Chamber). Normally, the debates in the Chamber deal with various matters to be decided by the Riksdag.

Debates and decisions in the Chamber

Change of government (Sw: regeringsskifte)

When a government resigns and is replaced by a new one.

When a new government takes office, the prime minister comes to the Riksdag to present an outline of its intended policies and to state which ministers are to make up the Government. The formal change of government takes place at a Council of State with the King presiding as chair.

Circulation for comment (Sw: remiss)

Request for points of view on a proposal sent to several recipients.

Procedure whereby the Government sends inquiries and proposals to public authorities, organisations and other bodies to find out what they think about the proposals. This is known as the referral of a proposal for consideration or circulation for comment.

Clerk of the Chamber (Sw: kammarsekreterare)

Official who advises the Speaker in the Chamber.

The clerks of the Chamber are officials in the Riksdag Administration who assist the Speaker during meetings and provide advice on various questions, for example, the fundamental laws and the Riksdag Act. During meetings of the Chamber, the clerk of the Chamber sits to the right of the Speaker on the platform.

Closed doors (Sw: stängda dörrar)

Meeting which is not open to the public.

Committee meetings are usually held behind closed doors, while meetings of the Chamber consisting of debates and leading to decisions are open to the public. Committee hearings with experts and officials are usually open to the public.

Coalition government (Sw: koalitionsregering)

Government consisting of two or more political parties.

A coalition government consists of two or more political parties and is formed when a single party does not obtain enough seats to form a government on its own.

Committee

Committees

See:

Committee on EU Affairs
Parliamentary committee

Committee group motion (Sw: kommittémotion)

Motion signed by committee members from the same political party or from different committees.

Committee hearing (Sw: utskottsutfrågning)

Hearing arranged by a parliamentary committee on a specific subject.

The committees arrange hearings in order to obtain more information about a specific subject. The committee invites experts and representatives of various interest groups in society to answer questions from the members. The hearings are usually open to the public, and can be followed via the Riksdag webcast service.

Committee initiative (Sw: utskottsinitiativ)

Proposal presented by a parliamentary committee on its own initiative.

A committee may, on its own initiative, submit proposals to the Riksdag on subjects falling within its areas of responsibility. In this case the proposal does not originate from a government bill or a from a motion from a member of the Riksdag, but from a committee initiative.

Committee meeting (Sw: utskottssammanträde)

Meeting in one of the 15 parliamentary committees.

The committees normally meet on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Committee meetings are not open to the public.

Committee on European Union Affairs (Sw: EU-nämnden)

Group of members of the Riksdag who the Government consults on EU matters.

The Government represents Sweden in the EU. However, the Government must gain the Riksdag’s support for its positions on various EU policies. For this purpose, the Government consults the Riksdag’s Committee on European Union Affairs prior to its meetings in the Council of Ministers and the European Council. The Committee on European Union Affairs has the same number of members as a parliamentary committee, that is, 17 members representing all the parties in the Riksdag.

The Committee on European Union Affairs at work

Committee report (Sw: betänkande)

Report from a parliamentary committee containing a proposal.

A written document from a parliamentary committee with a proposal as to how the Riksdag should decide in a particular matter.

Committee secretary (Sw: föredragande)

Official in a parliamentary committee.

The committee secretaries are responsible for preparing and reporting matters in a parliamentary committee and for writing draft committee reports, that is, the committees’ proposals for decisions by the Riksdag.

Concurrence (Sw: instämmande)

By rising during a debate in the Chamber, a member can show that he or she agrees with the previous speaker. This is known as concurrence and is noted down in the parliamentary record.

Constituency (Sw: valkrets)

Geographical areas into which Sweden is divided for the purpose of elections.

For parliamentary elections, Sweden is divided into 29 constituencies. These are more or less coterminous with the counties, but the County of Stockholm and the Counties of Skåne and Västra Götaland each comprise a number of constituencies. At parliamentary elections, those who are eligible to vote in a constituency vote for their representatives in the Riksdag.

Constitution (Sw: konstitution; författning)

Document containing legal provisions as to how a country is to be run.

A special procedure which is more complicated than in the case of ordinary acts of law is required to make changes to the Constitution. The Constitution of Sweden comprises 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.

Council of State (Sw: konselj)

Meeting of the Government which is chaired by the Head of State, the King.

A Council of State is always held when there is a formal change of government.

Council on Legislation (Sw: lagrådet)

Central government authority with the task of commenting on draft legislation.

The Council on Legislation examines and comments on draft legislation at the request of the Government or a parliamentary committee. All important items of draft legislation should, in principle, be examined by the Council on Legislation before the Government submits its government bill to the Riksdag. The Council on Legislation consists of judges or former judges of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court.

Current affairs debate (Sw: aktuell debatt)

Current affairs debates have been replaced by special debates.

A current affairs debate deals with a specific subject, often connected with current events or business.

D

Debate (Sw: debatt)

Deliberations between the members of the Riksdag in the Chamber.

There are two types of debates in the Riksdag: debates leading to a parliamentary decision and other debates that do not lead to a decision. Examples of other debates are debates between party leaders and the debate on the Budget Bill.

Debating rules (Sw: debattregler)

Rules and recommendations for various debates in the Chamber.

Debating rules exist, for example, to limit the duration of contributions during debates. In principle, however, each member and minister has the right to speak freely in all matters considered in the Chamber.

Decision (Sw: beslut)

Settlement of a matter by the members of the Riksdag in the Chamber.

At the end of a debate, the Riksdag takes a decision on the matter in question. The proposal supported by the greatest number of members is the Riksdag’s decision.

However, some of the decisions taken by the Riksdag require a qualified majority. This applies, for example, to votes of no confidence. In these cases, more than half of all of the members of the Riksdag must vote in favour of the declaration of no confidence for it to be adopted.

Decision by lot (Sw: lottning)

Method for settling matters in the event of a tied vote.

Decisions by lot are used under certain circumstances when there is a tied vote in the Chamber. If there are as many votes in favour as there are against when the Riksdag takes a decision on a matter, the matter is tabled, in other words deferred until the next meeting. If the vote is tied again the next time the Riksdag votes on the matter, the matter is sent back to the committee for further consideration if at least half of the members present vote in favour of this. Otherwise, a decision is taken on the matter by lot. In the event of a tied vote the third time the matter is taken up, it is decided by lot.

In the event of a tied vote in a preparatory vote, the matter is decided by lot immediately.

Decision in abeyance (Sw: vilande beslut)

A decision which is held in abeyance usually refers to a decision on an amendment to a fundamental law which can only be taken following a second decision with an election in between.

To make an amendment to a fundamental law, the Riksdag must adopt two decisions of identical wording with a general election between the two decisions. Between the first and second decision, the decision is said to be held in abeyance.

Declaration of no confidence (Sw: misstroendeförklaring)

Statement from the Riksdag that a government minister no longer has the confidence of the Riksdag.

A vote of no confidence must be held in the Chamber if requested by at least 35 members of the Riksdag. If more than half the members then vote in favour of a declaration of no confidence, the minister must resign. If the declaration of no confidence is directed at the Prime Minister, the whole Government must resign, unless it calls an extraordinary election within one week.

Deferral (Sw: uppskov)

Postponement of the consideration of a matter by the Riksdag to the next electoral period.

The Riksdag may allow the consideration of a matter to be deferred to the first session of the next electoral period, even if all matters are, in principle, to be settled during the electoral period in which they were introduced to the Riksdag. Special rules apply to budget matters, matters of fundamental law and proposals to be held in abeyance for 12 months.

Democracy (Sw: demokrati)

Democracy means, roughly, government or rule by the people. A fundamental idea of democracy is that the majority of citizens and residents in a county should have the opportunity to exercise political influence, for example, by means of regular elections. Another fundamental idea is that all human beings are of equal value and should enjoy the same rights. In a democracy, everyone is free to feel and believe what they want and to express their opinions openly in speech or writing.

Democracy

Deputy member (Sw: suppleant)

Person replacing a regular member, for example a member of a parliamentary committee, when a regular member is unable to attend.

In connection with elections to parliamentary committees and other bodies in the Riksdag, at least as many deputy members are normally appointed as members.

Deputy Speaker (Sw: vice talman)

There are three Deputy Speakers who can substitute for the Speaker when needed.

The Deputy Speakers can preside over the work of the Riksdag and meetings of the Chamber in the place of the Speaker. They also represent the Riksdag in various contexts.

Unlike the Speaker, the Deputy Speakers can vote even when they are presiding over meetings of the Chamber. However, they are not permitted to participate in debates when presiding over meetings. Otherwise, the Deputy Speakers participate in the work of the Riksdag just like other members of the Riksdag.

Direct democracy (Sw: direktdemokrati)

Form of decision-making that allows everyone who has the right to vote to take decisions him or herself, without an intermediary.

Everyone who has the right to vote participates in the decision-making process. Binding referendums and annual meetings in associations are examples of direct democracy.

Directive (Sw: direktiv)

Form of EU legislation.

A form of EU legislation which is binding in terms of the result to be achieved, but which leaves it up to each member state to determine the methods for achieving this result.

Dissenting opinion (Sw: avvikande mening)

Opinion that differs from that of the majority.

An opinion that differs from that expressed by the majority in a parliamentary committee or in the Committee on European Union Affairs.

Distribution of matters (Sw: ärendefördelning)

Distribution of matters between the parliamentary committees.

The distribution of matters between the parliamentary committees is based on the committees’ areas of responsibility. Their areas of responsibility are set out in the Riksdag Act.

Distribution of seats (Sw: mandatfördelning)

Way in which the seats are allocated among the parties in the Riksdag.

The 349 seats in the Riksdag consist of 310 fixed constituency seats and 39 adjustment seats. The voting results in the constituencies determine how the 310 fixed seats are distributed. The 39 adjustment seats are then distributed in such a way that the distribution between the parties throughout the country resembles the distribution of votes in the whole of the country as far as possible.

E

Elected representative (Sw: förtroendevald)

Person elected by voters to carry out a specific task.

An elected representative represents the people who have voted for him or her for the period to which the assignment applies. The members of the Riksdag are elected representatives.

Election (Sw: val)

Elections to the Riksdag are held every four years, on the second Sunday in September.

Elections to the Riksdag

Election day (Sw: valdag)

For parliamentary elections, election day is every four years, on the second Sunday in September.

Election Review Board (Sw: valprövningsnämnden)

Board to which appeals regarding general elections may be lodged.

Anyone who considers that a referendum or a parliamentary election has been conducted incorrectly can turn to the Election Review Board. The Board examines appeals regarding elections to the Riksdag, regions and municipalities, as well as the Sami Parliament and the European Parliament. It also examines appeals regarding national referendums.

The Board consists of a chair and six members who are elected by the Riksdag. The chair must be, or have been, a judge.

The Election Review Board

Electoral period (Sw: mandatperiod, valperiod)

The period of time between two elections, normally four years.

One electoral period is four years. An electoral period may be interrupted by extraordinary elections.

Expenditure areas (Sw: utgiftsområden)

Areas into which the central government budget is divided.

Expenditure is divided into 27 expenditure areas in the central government budget. The expenditure areas correspond to different areas of society. Examples of expenditure areas are the labour market and working life, defence and contingency measures, transport and communications and migration. The Government proposes in its Budget Bill how expenditure is to be distributed among the different areas, that is, how much money different areas of central government activity are to receive.

Expenditure ceiling (Sw: utgiftstak)

Maximum limit for all central government expenditure during a budget year.

The expenditure ceiling is a limit on the amount of money the Government is allowed to spend in a year. The expenditure ceiling applies to all central government expenditure except interest on the national debt.

Expenditure limit (Sw: utgiftsram)

Maximum level of expenditure for each expenditure area in the central government budget.

The expenditure limit is the limit for appropriations – funds – within an expenditure area.

Explanation of the vote (Sw: röstförklaring)

Explanatory statement for how a party will vote in the election of a new prime minister or in a vote of no confidence. The party leader or group leader of a party presents the explanatory statement in the Chamber in connection with the vote.

Explanatory memorandum (Sw: faktapromemoria)

Memorandum from the Government concerning an EU proposal.

An explanatory memorandum is a written account from the Government to the Riksdag concerning a proposal from the European Commission. The account explains what the proposal involves, its potential impact on Swedish regulations and the Government’s opinion of the proposal. The parliamentary committee responsible for the subject area dealt with in the proposal adopts a position on whether the proposal requires any action on the part of the Riksdag.

Extraordinary elections (Sw: extra val)

Elections held between ordinary elections.

The Government may decide to hold extraordinary elections to the Riksdag between ordinary elections. An extraordinary election is, for example, called if the Riksdag rejects the Speaker’s proposal for a candidate for Prime Minister four times and an ordinary election is not due to be held within three months. Once extraordinary elections have been called, the Speaker may, at the request of the Government, decide to suspend the work of the Riksdag until the newly-elected Riksdag has been convened. Extraordinary elections do not affect the procedure for ordinary general elections.

F

Final vote (Sw: huvudvotering)

Last, deciding vote when several proposals are weighed against each other.

Financial power (Sw: finansmakten)

Right of the Riksdag to determine central government revenue and expenditure.

Financial power encompasses the right to determine central government revenue and expenditure. It is the Riksdag that has this right. This includes determining central government taxes and how central government funding should be used.

Foreign policy debate (Sw: utrikespolitisk debatt)

Debate on foreign policy which is held in the Chamber every year.

Every year in February, a debate is held in the Riksdag on Sweden’s relations with other countries. The debate starts with a presentation by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Government’s foreign policy – the Statement of Foreign Policy.

Four per cent threshold (Sw: fyraprocentsspärr)

Threshold that a party must pass to enter the Riksdag.

A party must receive at least four per cent of the votes cast throughout the country in the parliamentary elections to obtain seats in the Riksdag.

Framework model (Sw: rambeslutsmodell)

Decision-making procedure employed by the Riksdag for consideration of the Budget Bill.

The method used by the Riksdag to decide on the Budget Bill and the members’ counter proposals is called the framework model. For each of the expenditure areas, the Riksdag decides on an expenditure limit that states how much the expenditure may amount to and an estimate of revenue in the central government budget.

Freedom of expression (Sw: yttrandefrihet)

Right to express oneself without censorship, limitation or punishment.

Freedom of expression means the freedom to communicate information and express ideas, opinions or emotions orally, in writing, in pictorial representations, or in any other way.

Freedom of the press (Sw: tryckfrihet)

Right to express one’s opinions freely in writing.

Freedom of the Press concerns the right to express and disseminate opinions and information in, for example, books, newspapers and on the Internet. It is part of freedom of expression and is regulated in the Constitution.

Freedom of the Press Act (Sw: tryckfrihetsförordningen, TF)

Fundamental law that regulates the freedom of expression in written form.

One of Sweden’s four fundamental laws, from 1949. It regulates the right for anyone to freely publish books, journals and newspapers as they wish. At the same time as the Freedom of the Press Act gives us the right to express ourselves freely, it also protects us against such things as defamation and insulting language and behaviour. The Freedom of the Press Act also regulates the principle of public access to official documents. According to this principle, everyone is entitled to access official documents.

Fundamental law (Sw: grundlag)

Laws embodying a country’s constitution, which take precedence over other laws.

The fundamental laws contain rules on how the country is governed and on other important principles. 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. In addition to the fundamental laws, Sweden has a Riksdag Act, which occupies a position somewhere between constitutional and ordinary law. The fundamental laws take precedence over all other laws. In other words, the content of other laws may never conflict with what is stated in the fundamental laws.

Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (Sw: yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen, YGL)

Fundamental law that regulates the freedom of expression.

The most recent of Sweden’s four fundamental laws, from 1991. The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression regulates, among other things, the right to express oneself freely on the radio, television and Internet. It also describes what is not permitted, for example, defaming or publicly insulting another person.

G

General elections (Sw: allmänna val)

Nationwide elections held to the Riksdag, regional and municipal councils, and the European Parliament.

Elections to the Riksdag, regional councils and municipal councils are held every four years, on the second Sunday in September. Extraordinary elections to the Riksdag may be held between ordinary elections. Elections to the European Parliament are held every five years.

General policy debate (Sw: allmänpolitisk debatt)

Debate in which members of the Riksdag are free to speak on a subject of their choice.

During a general policy debate, all members of the Riksdag are given the opportunity to speak on a subject of their choice. The debate usually takes place in the autumn, after the general private members’ motions period. It often continues for several days. The Speaker decides if and when to hold a general policy debate in consultation with the party group leaders.

General private members’ motions period (Sw: allmänna motionstiden)

Period in the autumn when members of the Riksdag can submit proposals on any subject.

A period in the autumn when members of the Riksdag can submit proposals – motions – on virtually any subject that the Riksdag may decide on. The general private members’ motions period begins when the Riksdag opens in September and normally ends 15 days after the Government has presented the Budget Bill to the Riksdag. Motions submitted during the general private members’ motions period are known as independent private members’ motions.

The general private members' motions period

Government, the (Sw: regeringen)

Group of ministers with the power to govern the country.

The Swedish people choose which people are to represent them in the Riksdag in regular elections. The Riksdag elects the prime minister following a proposal from the Speaker. The prime minister, in turn, appoints the government ministers. The Government governs Sweden by executing what the Riksdag has decided.

Forming a government

Government bill (Sw: proposition)

Proposal from the Government to the Riksdag concerning a new law or amendment to a law.

Government Offices (Sw: regeringskansliet)

Public authority responsible for assisting the Government in its work.

The Government Offices prepares government business and supports the Government in general. The Government Offices comprises the Prime Minister’s Office, the various ministries and the Office for Administrative Affairs. The Prime Minister is head of the Government Offices.

Group leader (Sw: gruppledare)

Leader of each of the party groups in the Riksdag, who is also responsible for the everyday work of the party group.

H

Head of Ministry (Sw: departementschef)

Minister in charge of a ministry.

For example, the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Business, Industry and Innovation are heads of ministry.

Head of state (Sw: statschef)

Highest individual representative of a country.

The highest individual representative of a monarchy is the king or the queen. In the case of a republic, the head of state is the president. In Sweden, the head of state has no real political power; his or her duties are only of a representative nature.

Hearing (Sw: hearing)

Meeting organised by a committee, to which external experts and officials from ministries and public agencies are invited for information and comments on a matter.

I

Independent private member’s motion (Sw: fristående motion)

Motion that can deal with virtually any subject.

During the general private members’ motions period in the autumn, members of the Riksdag can submit proposals (motions) on virtually any issue that the Riksdag can take decisions on. Motions submitted during the general private members’ motions period are known as independent private members’ motions. A motion can contain one or several proposals.

The members can also submit independent private members’ motions in connection with an event of major importance.

Individual private member’s motion (Sw: enskild motion)

Motion supported by one or several members of the Riksdag.

Instrument of Government (Sw: regeringsformen, RF)

Fundamental law that stipulates that all public power proceeds from the people.

The Instrument of Government is the fundamental law that sets out the basic principles of our democracy. The Instrument of Government describes how the country is to be governed, our democratic rights and freedoms, and how public power is to be divided. The current Instrument of Government came into force in 1975, replacing the Instrument of Government from 1809.

Interpellation (Sw: interpellation)

Question to a minister which leads to an interpellation debate.

Interpellations are a kind of question which are used as the basis of debates in the Chamber almost every week. A member submits his or her question – the interpellation – in writing, to a minister, but receives the answer both in writing and orally from the minister who attends a meeting of the Chamber. During the interpellation debate in the Chamber, the minister starts by reading his or her answer to the interpellation. This is followed by a debate between the minister and the member who put the question. Other members may also participate in the debate.

Interpellation debate

See:

Interpellation

Item of parliamentary business

See:

Matter

J

Joint committee (Sw: sammansatt utskott)

Temporary committee consisting of representatives from different parliamentary committees.

When two or more parliamentary committees decide to consider a matter jointly, a temporary joint committee is formed. A joint committee presents a committee report to the Riksdag in accordance with the normal procedures.

K

L

Law (Sw: lag)

Rule or body of rules made by parliament.

Laws are rules that everyone in a country is obliged to follow. It is usually the Government that submits proposals for new laws and the Riksdag adopts them. A law that has been adopted can only be stopped or amended if the Riksdag passes a new law.

Legislative debate (leading to a parliamentary decision) (Sw: ärendedebatt)

Debate in the Chamber before the Riksdag takes its decision on a matter.

The Riksdag debates and decides on various matters. It does so in the Chamber after a parliamentary committee has presented its proposal for a decision by the Riksdag in a committee report.

List of speakers (Sw: talarlista)

List of speakers scheduled to speak at a debate in the Chamber.

Prior to a debate in the Chamber, the Secretariat of the Chamber draws up a list of speakers who have notified the Secretariat of their wish to speak in the debate. Notification shall be made no later than 4.30 p.m. the day before the debate and the member in question shall state how long his or her address is expected to take. A speaker who has not informed the Secretariat in advance may normally not speak longer than four minutes.

Longest-serving member of the Riksdag (Sw: ålderspresident)

Member of the Riksdag who has been a member the longest.

The longest-serving member of the Riksdag leads the meetings of the Chamber in connection with parliamentary elections before a new Speaker has been appointed, or if the Speakers are unable to preside over a meeting. If two people have been members of the Riksdag for an equal amount of time, the elder of them presides over the meeting.

The longest-serving members of the Riksdag

M

Majority (Sw: majoritet)

The greater part of those voting.

The majority principle is often employed when voting. In other words, the proposal receiving the most votes wins.

Majority side (Sw: majoritetssida)

Party or parties that together form a majority.

The majority side in the Riksdag or in a parliamentary committee is the party or parties that together form a majority.

Mandatory consideration (Sw: behandlingstvång)

Obligation to settle all matters during the electoral period in which they were introduced.

The Riksdag must consider and settle all matters during the same electoral period as they were submitted to the Riksdag. If a matter is not settled, it lapses, unless a decision is taken to defer its consideration to the first Riksdag session of the next electoral period.

Mandatory preparation (Sw: beredningstvång)

Obligation to prepare a matter before a decision is taken in the Chamber.

Government bills, written communications, private members’ motions, submissions and reports are all matters that must be referred to a parliamentary committee for consideration before the Riksdag can take a decision. This is known as mandatory preparation by a committee.

Matter (Sw: ärende)

Specific issue about which the Riksdag is to take a decision.

Government bills, written communications and motions that have been submitted to the Riksdag are all items of parliamentary business – matters. Matters also include submissions and reports from various Riksdag bodies, for example the Riksdag Board. Matters are referred to a parliamentary committee for consideration before they are decided on by the Riksdag.

Meeting of the Chamber (Sw: kammarsammanträde)

Meeting in the Chamber of the Riksdag.

Meetings of the Chamber are meetings in which all the members of the Riksdag, and sometimes government ministers, participate. They are convened by the Speaker.

Member of the Riksdag, member of parliament (Sw: ledamot)

There are 349 members of the Riksdag.

The 349 members of the Riksdag are elected every four years in general elections. The members thus become the people’s representatives in the Riksdag.

Members

Minister (Sw: minister; statsråd)

Member of the Government.

Members of the Government are called ministers. They are connected to the various ministries. The formal heads of the ministries are always ministers. Both the formal heads of ministries and other members of the Government are called ministers. Ministers are named in accordance with the areas they work with, for example the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Integration and Migration.

Ministry (Sw: departement)

Department within the Government Offices.

The Government Offices is divided into different ministries, for example, the Ministry of Employment and the Ministry of Finance. The ministries work with matters within their particular policy areas. A large part of this work concerns legislation and the central government budget.

Ministry Publications Series (Ds) (Sw: departementsserien)

Published series of reports from the Government Offices.

The Government can appoint inquiries within the various ministries. The conclusions and proposals are then published in the Ministry Publications Series (Ds).

Minority government (Sw: minoritetsregering)

Government consisting of parties that do not form a majority in the Riksdag.

A minority government must receive the support of opposition parties to push through its proposals in the Riksdag. A government consisting of fewer than 175 seats in the Riksdag is in a minority.

Minority right (Sw: minoritetsrätt)

When a minority is sufficient in the Riksdag or among the members of a parliamentary committee for a decision to be taken. It is, for example, sufficient with the support of:

a third of the members of the Riksdag for an item of business to be sent back to the relevant committee or to decide that a referendum is to be held on a constitutional matter;
ten members for a draft law to be held in abeyance for twelve months if the proposal applies to limiting a right that is enshrined in the Constitution.
Minutes from government meetings (Sw: regeringsprotokoll)

Record of the decisions that have been taken at government meetings.

Monarchy (Sw: monarki)

Country in which a king, queen or emperor is head of state.

Move (Sw: yrka)

To formally request that the Riksdag take a specific decision.

When the Chamber takes a decision on a matter, a member of the Riksdag can, for example, move the approval of the committee’s proposal or of a reservation. This means that the member wants the Riksdag to vote in favour of the proposal or a reservation.

Municipal council (Sw: kommunfullmäktige)

Highest decision-making level in a municipality.

The municipal council is elected every four years by the inhabitants in the municipality.

N

National Audit Office (Sw: Riksrevisionen)

Authority under the Riksdag that examines how central government funding is used.

The National Audit Office is one of the parliamentary control functions. It is responsible for examining – on behalf of the public – how effectively and for what purposes central government funds are used. The authority is led by an Auditor General appointed by the Riksdag. The Auditor General decides on the audits to be carried out, the methods to be used and what conclusions are to be drawn. The Riksdag also appoints a Deputy Auditor General.

The National Audit Office

Nominations Committee (Sw: valberedning)

Elected working group which prepares elections held in the Chamber of the Riksdag.

The Nominations Committee prepares elections by proposing candidates for the available positions. The Riksdag appoints a Nominations Committee for elections that are held in the Chamber, with the exception of the election of the Speaker, the Parliamentary Ombudsman, the Auditor General and the Regent.

O

Official document (Sw: allmän handling)

Document held by a public authority which is normally accessible to everyone.

An official document is a document that has been submitted to, or drawn up by, an authority. The document is to be held by the authority. As a rule, a document which has been drawn up by an authority becomes an official document when it has been completed or when it has been dispatched by the authority. An official document may be a text, an image, a sound recording or a video. The general rule is that official documents are public. This means that everybody has the right to read them.

Official documents

Opening of the Riksdag session (Sw: riksmötets öppnande)

Special meeting of the Chamber when the King opens the Riksdag in the autumn.

At the opening of the Riksdag session in the middle of September, the head of state declares the Riksdag session open. All the members of the Riksdag are convened in the Chamber. The Prime Minister then presents the Government’s policies for the coming year in a statement of government policy.

Opposition (Sw: opposition)

Political party or group opposed to the ruling party or Government.

A political party or members of the Riksdag who are not part of the Government are traditionally regarded to be in opposition.

Order of speakers (Sw: talarordning)

Order of speakers in a debate in the Chamber.

The Speaker determines the order of speakers among those who have notified the Secretariat of the Chamber in advance. Other speakers are given the opportunity to speak in the order in which they give notice of their wish to speak during the debate. The order of speakers may be interrupted by rejoinders.

Order paper (Sw: föredragningslista)

Agenda for a meeting of the Chamber.

The order paper contains a complete list of the matters to be discussed during meetings of the Chamber and the order in which they will be discussed.

Ordinance (Sw: förordning)

Statute decided by the Government.

The Riksdag is responsible for adopting laws. The Government can also decide on rules that everyone in Sweden must comply with. Such rules are known as ordinances.

Ordinary elections (Sw: ordinarie val)

Elections to the Riksdag held every four years, on the second Sunday in September.

P

Pairing (Sw: kvittning)

Way of managing votes when certain members of the Riksdag are unable to attend.

Pairing is an agreement between the parties in the Riksdag that one or several members will abstain from a particular vote in order to compensate for the fact that members from other parties are unable to participate. An absent member is then “paired” against a member from another party who abstains from voting.

Parliament (Sw: parlament)

A country’s legislative assembly.

A country’s principal decision-making and legislative assembly. Sweden’s parliament is called the Riksdag.

Parliamentary committee (Sw: utskott)

Body in the Riksdag for consideration of matters to be decided by the Riksdag.

The Riksdag takes hundreds of decisions every year. The 15 parliamentary committees are the “engine room” of the Riksdag. This is where the members prepare decisions. Once a committee has presented its proposal for a decision, all 349 members of the Riksdag take a position on the proposal in the Chamber. Each committee currently consists of 17 members. This number is determined by the Riksdag after each election. The composition of members in each committee reflects the distribution of seats in the Riksdag. The largest party in the Riksdag also has the most members in each committee. Each of the committees has different areas of responsibility. Military issues, for example, are dealt with by the Committee on Defence, while the Committee on Health and Welfare considers proposals concerning healthcare.

The parliamentary committees at work

Parliamentary control (Sw: kontrollmakten)

Examination by the Riksdag of the Government and public authorities.

One of the Riksdag’s principal tasks is to examine the work of the Government and the public authorities. The various instruments of parliamentary control are set out in the Instrument of Government, which is one of Sweden’s fundamental laws. The ultimate form of parliamentary control is that the Riksdag can force the Government or a minister to resign by means of a declaration of no confidence.

The Riksdag’s parliamentary control powers also include the Committee on the Constitution’s examination and various ways for the members of the Riksdag to address questions to the government ministers.The Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the National Audit Office also have parliamentary control functions.

Examines the work of the Government

Parliamentary documents (Sw: riksdagstrycket)

Documents issued by the Riksdag.

Parliamentary documents include the various documents issued by the Riksdag in printed form and published on the Riksdag website. These include the record from debates in the Chamber, government bills, reports, motions, committee reports and written communications from the Riksdag.

Parliamentary documents, laws and legislative history

Parliamentary elections (Sw: riksdagsval)

Parliamentary elections – elections to the Riksdag – are held every four years.

Parliamentary elections are held every four years, on the second Sunday in September. Between ordinary elections, the Government may decide to call extraordinary elections to the Riksdag.

Parliamentary government (Sw: parlamentarism)

System according to which the Government must have the support of parliament to enable it to govern the country.

In the case of parliamentary government, a body of representatives elected by the people, the parliament, has decisive influence over the presiding government. In Sweden, the Government must have the support of the Riksdag or at least be tolerated by the Riksdag to remain in power. This support can be tested in a vote of no confidence in the Riksdag.

Parliamentary Ombudsmen (Sw: Justitieombudsmannen, JO)

Public authority with the task of examining other public authorities.

The Parliamentary Ombudsmen examine the compliance of the public authorities and individual officials with laws and ordinances, that is, that the administration of various matters is correct and that individual citizens receive fair treatment. Individuals can approach the Parliamentary Ombudsmen if they consider themselves wrongly treated by a public authority.

The Parliamentary Ombudsmen (JO)

Parliamentary record (Sw: protokoll)

Written account of what has been said and decided in the Chamber.

A preliminary record in electronic form is published approximately six hours after the final debate of the day in the Chamber is finished. The preliminary record is available in printed form one day after the debate at the latest. The final record is ready after a few weeks.

Parliamentary year

See:

Riksdag session

Party designation (Sw: partibeteckning)

Name used by a political party which is written on voting slips at elections.

The name of the party must be visible on voting slips at elections to the Riksdag, regional councils or municipal councils for the voting slips to be valid.

In the Riksdag, the party designations are abbreviated as follows: Centre Party, Cen (Centerpartiet, C), Christian Democrats, ChrDem (Kristdemokraterna, KD), Liberal Party, Lib (Liberalerna, L), Green Party, Grn (Miljöpartiet, MP), Moderate Party, Mod (Moderaterna, M), Social Democratic Party, SocDem (Socialdemokraterna, S), Sweden Democrats, SweDem (Sverigedemokraterna, SD) and Left Party, Lft (Vänsterpartiet, V).

A member of the Riksdag who leaves his or her party may still remain in the Riksdag until the next election, but without a party designation. In this case, the member in question will have the mark (-) after his or her name.

Party funding (Sw: partistöd)

Financial support to political parties.

The state gives financial support to political parties at the national level. State support is given to the parties in the Riksdag and to parties outside the Riksdag provided they have received at least 2.5 per cent of votes cast throughout the country in either or both of the last two elections to the Riksdag. The Riksdag pays financial support for the activities of the party groups and for the work of the members of the Riksdag.

Party group (Sw: partigrupp)

Members of the Riksdag elected to the Riksdag under the same party designation.

A party group consists of members of the Riksdag belonging to the same party. Each party group has a secretariat which works closely together with the other sections of the party organisation. All important issues are discussed in the party groups before the members take a final position in committees and in the Chamber. The parliamentary party groups are usually headed by a board or an advisory group. The group leaders are responsible for the day-to-day work of the party groups.

Party group leader

See:

Group leader

Party motion (Sw: partimotion)

Proposal to the Riksdag supported by a party in the Riksdag.

Party secretariat (SW: partikansli)

Secretariat for a party group.

Each party group and its members are assisted by a party secretariat in the Riksdag, with experts, political advisers and assistants who are employed by the party.

Pay (Sw: arvode)

Members of the Riksdag receive pay rather than a salary.

Members of the Riksdag are not employed and therefore they do not receive a salary. They hold an elected office, so instead they receive pay – or remuneration – every month. Their pay is determined by the Riksdag Remunerations Board.

Members' pay

Personal preference vote (Sw: personröst)

Vote for a particular candidate for a party in connection with general elections.

At elections, voters vote first and foremost for a party, but they can also indicate which candidate on a party’s voting slip they would most like to be elected into the Riksdag.

Plenary Chamber (Sw: plenisalen)

Venue for meetings of the Riksdag, usually called the Chamber.

Plenary meeting (Sw: arbetsplenum)

Meeting in the Chamber on proposals from the parliamentary committees.

A meeting of the Chamber at which the members of the Riksdag consider – debate and decide on – proposals from the parliamentary committees.

Political adviser (Sw: politisk sekreterare)

Person who is employed to work for a politician.

A politically appointed official who works for one or more politicians, for example in the Riksdag or in a political party.

Politics (Sw: politik)

Activities associated with the governance of a country or organisation.

Politics concerns steering developments in a society in a certain direction, how power is exercised and how political decisions are made. Politics is conducted for example in elected assemblies such as the Riksdag and municipal councils, and within stakeholder organisations and political parties.

Preliminary record

See:

Parliamentary record

Preparation (Sw: beredning)

Preparatory consideration of a matter to be settled by the Riksdag.

In the Riksdag, matters must be considered in a committee before a decision can be taken by the members of the Riksdag in the Chamber.

Prime minister (Sw: statsminister)

Leader of the Government and head of the Government Offices.

The prime minister leads the work of the Government and is head of the Government Offices which works with government matters. The prime minister is appointed by the Riksdag on the basis of a proposal from the Speaker. He or she resigns on his or her own initiative or following a declaration of no confidence. If the prime minister resigns, the whole Government must resign.

Prime Minister’s Office (Sw: statsrådsberedningen)

Department within the Government Offices.

The department within the Government Offices responsible for coordinating the work of the ministries. The Prime Minister’s Office is headed by the prime minister.

Principle of public access to official documents (Sw: offentlighetsprincipen)

Principle that gives every citizen the right to read official documents created within or received by the public authorities.

The principle of public access to official documents is regulated in the Freedom of the Press Act. According to this principle, everyone is entitled to access official documents. The principle of public access to official documents is a guarantee that makes the work of the Riksdag, Government and public agencies transparent. Everyone is entitled to contact a public authority and request a copy of an official document.

Principle of subsidiarity (Sw: subsidiaritetsprincipen)

Principle stating at which level decisions should be taken in the EU.

The principle of subsidiarity is used in the EU to determine whether a matter should be decided at EU level or in the member states. The idea is that decisions should be made at the political level that can take the most effective decision, as close to the citizens as possible. The principle applies to policy areas where the EU and the member states share decision-making power. The individual national parliaments of the EU have to make an assessment as to whether draft legislation from the EU is compatible with the principle of subsidiarity. If a sufficient number of parliaments consider that a particular draft law conflicts with the principle of subsidiarity, the proposal can be reviewed by the European Commission.

Private member’s motion (Sw: motion)

Proposal to the Riksdag from one or several members of the Riksdag.

A motion is often submitted as a counter-proposal to a proposal from the Government. A private member’s motion can have the support of one or several members.

Private members’ motions period (Sw: motionstid)

Time during which members can submit motions to the Riksdag.

The motions period for private members’ motions arising out of a government bill, written communications, and submissions and reports is normally 15 days.

Proportional (Sw: proportionell)

Describes a value in a definite relation to something.

Proportionality is the state of being in a definite relation to something. The Swedish electoral system is proportional. This means that the number of seats any one party obtains in the Riksdag is proportional to the number of votes the party received in the election. For example, if a party receives twice as many votes in a parliamentary election compared with the previous election, it will also have twice as many seats in the Riksdag.

Public agency, public authority (Sw: myndighet)

Part of the administration of central or local government.

Public agencies implement and are responsible for ensuring that the Riksdag’s and Government’s decisions are implemented. Examples of such public agencies are the Swedish Police, the Swedish Social Insurance Agency and the Swedish Migration Agency.

Q

Qualified majority (Sw: kvalificerad majoritet)

Majority which is larger than a majority of one vote.

Sometimes it is not sufficient to have a majority of one vote to win a vote, and a qualified majority is required. A qualified majority may, for example, mean at least 3/4 of the members voting or at least 175 votes, that is, more than half of the members of the Riksdag. A qualified majority is required, for example, in the case of a declaration of no confidence, or for amendments to the Riksdag Act.

Question (Sw: fråga)

Request of a member of the Riksdag for information from a government minister.

All members of the Riksdag have the right to address questions to the Government. This is one of the ways in which the Riksdag is able to examine the work of the Government. The members address several thousand questions to the Government each parliamentary year. During Question Time in the Chamber, government ministers are present to answer questions from the members of the Riksdag. Interpellations are another form of questions that are debated in the Chamber almost every week. The members can also submit written questions to government ministers, who then reply in writing.

See:

Question Time

Question Time (Sw: frågestund)

Meeting at which members of the Riksdag put questions to government ministers and receive on-the-spot answers.

Question Time is held in the Chamber, in principle, every Thursday and lasts for approximately one hour. Four government ministers are present in the Chamber and answer on-the-spot questions from members of the Riksdag. Approximately once a month, the Prime Minister is present to answer questions. Question Time should proceed at a rapid rate and all questions and answers should be brief. The questions asked during Question Time often concern highly topical issues.

Quorum (Sw: beslutsförhet)

Minimum number of participants present at a meeting to enable a valid decision to be taken.

There are no general rules that decide how many members of the Riksdag are required to be present to make a quorum in the Chamber, that is, to be able to take decisions. However, there are certain cases in which a specific number of members are required for a decision to be taken.

R

Record

See:

Parliamentary record

Referendum (Sw: folkomröstning)

Vote on a specific issue in which all citizens who are entitled to vote may participate.

Referendums can be held on specific issues, locally or nationally. A decision to hold a referendum throughout the country is made by the Riksdag. There are consultative referendums and referendums on matters of constitutional law, which may be binding. To date, six consultative referendums have been held in Sweden.

Referendums

Referral (Sw: hänvisning)

When the Government and the members of the Riksdag have submitted proposals to the Riksdag, the Chamber forwards the proposals to the parliamentary committees, who continue to consider them. This is known as referral of a matter to a committee.

Referral back (to a committee) (Sw: återförvisning)

When a matter in the Chamber is referred back to a parliamentary committee for reconsideration.

The Chamber can refer a matter back to a parliamentary committee for reconsideration. A minimum of one third of the members of the Riksdag must vote in favour of the matter for it to be referred back to the committee.

Referral for consultation

See:

Circulation for comment

Regent (Sw: riksföreståndare)

Person who replaces the head of state if there is no king or queen.

Regional council (Sw: regionfullmäktige)

Highest decision-making level in a region.

The regional council is elected every four years by the inhabitants in the region.

Regulation (Sw: föreskrift)

Legally binding rule, normally adopted by a public authority.

Regulations supplement the laws and ordinances that have been issued in a specific subject area. Regulations are normally adopted by public authorities. Municipalities and regions can also issue regulations. They then apply locally in the municipality or region that issued them.

Regulation (EU) (Sw: förordning)

In an EU context, a regulation is a form of legislation.

A form of EU legislation which is binding in its entirety and is directly applicable in all member states.

Rejoinder (Sw: replik)

Response by a member of the Riksdag in a debate to what a previous speaker has said.

Representative democracy (Sw: representativ demokrati)

Democratic system whereby the citizens choose the politicians who will represent them and run the country in regular elections. It is also known as indirect democracy.

Republic (Sw: republik)

Country in which the head of state, usually a president, is elected, in contrast to a monarchy in which the Crown is inherited.

Reservation (Sw: reservation)

Expression of a dissenting opinion in the form of a counter-proposal.

The committee’s proposal for a decision by the Riksdag is based on what a majority of members of the committee think. Members who do not agree may submit reservations on the matter. In their reservations, the minority give an account of their view of the matter. Then, when it is time for a decision to be taken on the matter, the reservation is set against the committee’s proposals.

Resignation (Sw: avsägelse)

When a member of the Riksdag asks to leave his or her assignment before the end of an electoral period.

A member of the Riksdag can request to leave his or her assignment as a member before the end of an electoral period. This can only be done with the consent of the Riksdag.

Right of initiative (Sw: initiativrätt)

Right to submit proposals to the Riksdag.

Right of proposal (Sw: förslagsrätt)

Right to submit proposals to the Riksdag.

The following have the right to submit proposals to the Riksdag:

the Government in government bills;
one or more members of the Riksdag in private members’ motions;
the parliamentary committees within their areas of responsibility in committee initiatives;
the Committee on Finance also within other parliamentary committees’ areas of responsibility in committee initiatives; and
the Rikdag Board, Riksbank, Parliamentary Ombudsmen and Swedish National Audit Office in submissions.

The proposals are considered by a parliamentary committee before a decision is taken in the Chamber.

Right to submit (private members’) motions (Sw: motionsrätt)

Right of every member to submit proposals to the Riksdag.

Members of the Riksdag may submit proposals in the form of private members’ motions during the general private members’ motions period. They may also submit motions in connection with government bills and written communications from the Government. Ten members may team up and jointly submit a motion in the event of an occurrence of major significance.

Riksbank, the (Sw: Riksbanken)

Sweden’s central bank which is responsible for monetary policy.

The Riksbank is the central bank of Sweden. It is an authority under the Riksdag which is responsible for monetary policy. It is led by an executive board, which is appointed by the General Council of the Riksbank and which consists of six members including the Governor of the Riksbank, who is the chair of the Council. The Riksbank also has the right to issue banknotes and coins.

Swedish central bank (the Riksbank)

Riksdag, the (Sw: Riksdagen)

Sweden’s supreme decision-making body, the Parliament.

The Constitution states that all public power proceeds from the people and that the Riksdag is the foremost representative of the people. As such, the Riksdag is a crucial component of Swedish democracy. Every fourth year, the Swedish people elect 349 members of the Riksdag to represent them. The Riksdag is the highest decision-making assembly in Sweden. Its tasks include making laws and determining the central government budget.

Riksdag Act (Sw: Riksdagsordningen, RO)

Act of law stating how the Riksdag conducts its work.

The Riksdag Act contains provisions on the organisation and work procedures of the Riksdag. It occupies a position between fundamental and ordinary law. The Act is divided into main provisions and supplementary provisions. A main provision can only be changed according to the principles for changing fundamental laws or by qualified majority. A supplementary provision can be changed in the same way as an ordinary law.

Riksdag Administration (Sw: riksdagsförvaltningen)

Authority with the task of facilitating the work of the Riksdag.

The Riksdag Administration is an authority under the Riksdag with the task of assisting the Riksdag in its work. The Riksdag Administration ensures, for example, that the work of the Chamber and the parliamentary committees functions smoothly. The Riksdag Administration helps members of the Riksdag with factual information and background materials for their decisions, and helps to provide good working conditions for the members of the Riksdag. Its duties also include providing information on the Riksdag and its work.

The Riksdag Administration

Riksdag Board (Sw: riksdagsstyrelsen)

Principal managing body of the Riksdag.

The work of the Riksdag is led by the Speaker. A special board, the Riksdag Board, participates in the planning of the work. The Riksdag Board also leads the work of the Riksdag Administration. The Board can present proposals in the Riksdag as to how the work of the Riksdag is to be carried out. It consists of ten members of the Riksdag and it is chaired by the Speaker.

Riksdag body (Sw: riksdagsorgan)

Committee or other elected group within the Riksdag.

A parliamentary committee is a Riksdag body. Examples of other Riksdag bodies are the Riksdag Board and authorities and boards under the Riksdag.

Riksdag of the Estates (Sw: ståndsriksdagen)

The Riksdag was formerly made up of four Estates - the Nobility, the Clergy, the Burghers and the Peasantry. The Riksdag of the Estates goes back to King Gustav Vasa’s two assemblies in Västerås in 1527 and 1544. The term “Riksdag” was first used in the 1540s.

Riksdag session (Sw: riksmöte)

Working year of the Riksdag from September to September the following year.

The working year of the Riksdag starts in the middle of September and continues until the start of the next Riksdag session the following September. After an election, the Riksdag session starts fifteen days after the election. In the case of extraordinary elections, the Riksdag session is either reduced or extended.

Roll-call (Sw: upprop)

Call of names of the members of the Riksdag in the Chamber.

A roll-call is always held at the first meeting of the Chamber after an election to the Riksdag. This means that the names of the members are called out in the Chamber when the Riksdag opens in the autumn. The Speaker may also decide that a roll-call of members is to take place at the first meeting of the Chamber at other sessions during the electoral period.

S

Scrutiny report (Sw: granskningsbetänkande)

Committee on the Constitution’s examination of the work of the Government.

A report in which the Committee on the Constitution presents the results of its annual examination of the ministers’ and Government’s performance of their official duties.

Seat (Sw: mandat)

Place in the Riksdag.

The number of seats any one party obtains in the Riksdag is proportional to the number of votes the party received in the elections to the Riksdag. There are 349 seats in the Riksdag altogether.

Secretariat of the Chamber (Sw: kammarkansliet)

Department in the Riksdag Administration which plans and prepares the work of the Chamber.

Secretary-General of the Riksdag (Sw: riksdagsdirektör)

The head of the authority the Riksdag Administration, who is appointed by the Riksdag.

Settlement (Sw: avgörande)

Final decision on matters considered in the Chamber of the Riksdag.

See:

Swedish Code of Statutes (SFS)
SOU

See:

Swedish Government Official Reports

Speaker, the (Sw: talman)

The Riksdag’s foremost representative who leads the work of the Riksdag.

The Riksdag elects a Speaker and three Deputy Speakers for each electoral period. The decision is taken at the first meeting of the Chamber of the new electoral period. The Speaker cannot be dismissed as a result of a parliamentary decision during the period until the next election to the Riksdag. The Speaker leads and plans the work of the Riksdag and presides over meetings of the Chamber. As the foremost representative of the Riksdag, the Speaker often represents the Riksdag nationally and internationally.

The Speaker of the Riksdag has a central role when a new government is formed. It is the Speaker’s task to propose a new prime minister to the Riksdag.

The Speaker stands outside the purely political work of the Riksdag and does not participate in debates or Riksdag decisions. The Speaker has a substitute who performs his or her duties as a member of parliament.

Special debate (Sw: särskild debatt)

Debate held on a particular subject not related to any specific item of parliamentary business.

A party can request that the Riksdag hold a special debate on a certain subject, such as schools, healthcare or the situation in the police forces.

In consultation with the party group leaders, the Speaker then decides if and when such a debate is to be held. The government minister responsible for the issue participates in the debate.

Specially-arranged debate (Sw: särskilt anordnad debatt)

Debate in the Chamber which does not lead to a parliamentary decision.

Specially-arranged debates include debates between party leaders, general policy debates, foreign policy debates, current affairs debates and special debates. After these debates, no decisions are taken.

Special statement of opinion (Sw: särskilt yttrande)

Opinion from one or more members in a committee report.

A special statement of opinion is made by one or more members who support a committee proposal for a decision by the Riksdag but still wish to put forward special points of view.

Spring Fiscal Policy Bill (Sw: ekonomiska vårpropositionen)

Bill containing the Government’s proposed guidelines for economic policy for the following budget year.

The Riksdag’s work with the central government budget starts in April when the Government submits the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill. The Bill contains guidelines for the economic policy that will form the basis of the Government’s forthcoming budget proposal in the autumn. The Spring Fiscal Policy Bill must be submitted to the Riksdag no later than 15 April.

Statement (Sw: utlåtande)

Report from a parliamentary committee containing comments on a particular EU proposal.

The parliamentary committees examine the EU’s green and white papers, in which the European Commission presents its thoughts about forthcoming measures. When a committee has examined a green or white paper, it submits a statement on its examination to the Chamber. The committees also assess whether EU proposals fulfil the requirements of the principle of subsidiarity. This means that they assess whether a particular decision should be taken by the EU or by the various EU countries themselves. If the committee considers that the proposal conflicts with the principle of subsidiarity, it writes a reasoned opinion.

Statement of government policy (Sw: regeringsförklaring)

Presentation by the Prime Minister of the Government’s policies for the coming year.

The Prime Minister presents the statement of government policy to the Riksdag at the opening of the Riksdag session. In the statement of government policy, the Prime Minister presents the Government’s policies for the coming year. Every new government presents a statement of government policy irrespective of when it takes office.

Statement of opinion (Sw: yttrande)

Comments from a parliamentary committee on a proposal for which another parliamentary committee is responsible.

A committee which is responsible for a specific matter may request comments from another committee. This is known as a statement of opinion, and is included in the report submitted by the responsible committee prior to the Riksdag’s decision on the matter.

Statute (Sw: författning)

General term covering all types of legislation.

A general term for laws, ordinances and regulations issued by the Riksdag, the Government and the public authorities. Statutes are published in the Swedish Code of Statutes (SFS).

Submission (Sw: framställning)

Proposal to the Riksdag from certain Riksdag bodies, for example, the Riksdag Board.

Subsidiarity principle

See:

Principle of subsidiarity
Swedish Code of Statutes (Sw: Svensk författningssamling, SFS)

Series in which the Government publishes laws and ordinances.

The Swedish Code of Statutes is an official publication series containing laws and ordinances passed by the Riksdag and the Government respectively.

Swedish Government Official Reports (Sw: statens offentliga utredningar, SOU)

Reports by government commissions of inquiry.

Before the Government presents a legislative proposal to the Riksdag, an inquiry is often appointed which makes an in-depth examination of the issue at hand. If the inquiry is carried out by one person, the person is called an inquiry chair. If it is carried out by several people, it is called a committee or commission of inquiry. When the inquiry is completed, conclusions and proposals are presented in a report that is published in the Swedish Government Official Reports series (SOU).

T

Tabling (Sw: bordläggning)

A matter is tabled when it is reported to the Chamber.

All proposals that are to be settled by the Riksdag are reported to the Chamber by the Speaker. This is known as tabling. This procedure is intended to give members of the Riksdag a chance to read and consider proposals before it is time to debate and settle them in the Chamber.

Tabling debate (Sw: bordläggningsdebatt)

Debate that may be held when a matter is reported to the Chamber.

Normally matters are tabled without a debate, but in certain cases a member of the Riksdag is entitled to ask for the floor. The debate may concern a government bill, a private member’s motion or another matter.

See:

Electoral period

Terms of reference (Sw: direktiv)

Guidelines for how an assignment is to be performed.

Terms of reference within the Government Offices are guidelines that set out how an assignment is to be performed, for example, how a commission of inquiry is to work.

Tied vote (Sw: lika röstetal)

When two proposals receive an equal number of votes.

A tied vote is a vote in which the number of votes for a particular proposal is the same as the number of votes for a counter-proposal.

U

Unicameral parliament (Sw: enkammarriksdagen)

Parliament with a single chamber.

The bicameral (two-chamber) system was abandoned in Sweden in 1971, and a single chamber with 350 members was introduced. Since the 1976/77 session, the Chamber has had 349 members.

V

Vote (Sw: votering)

Votes are held in the Chamber when the parties disagree on a matter.

A member of the Riksdag may request a vote if he or she wants the Chamber to vote on a matter. In this case, the members select one of the voting buttons on their benches. The voting buttons are green for “yes”, red for “no” and yellow for “abstain”. The result of the vote is displayed on the vote indicator and on screens on the wall at the front of the Chamber. The vote indicator shows how each individual member has voted. The record of proceedings in the Chamber shows the result of the vote and the distribution of the votes between the parties.

The Speaker may also decide to hold the vote by asking the members to rise in their places. The members voting yes and the members voting no are asked to rise in turn. The Speaker then determines which side received the greatest number of votes.

Vote count (Sw: rösträkning)

See:

Vote

Voting order (Sw: voteringsordning)

Schedule for how votes in the Chamber are to be conducted.

The voting order shows the order in which the various proposals are to be weighed up against each other during a vote on a matter. It is prepared by the Secretariat of the Chamber to assist the Speaker presiding over the meeting.

W

War Delegation (Sw: krigsdelegationen)

Group which can replace the Riksdag if Sweden is at war or at risk of war.

The War Delegation consists of the Speaker and fifty other members of the Riksdag who, if necessary, can replace the Riksdag if Sweden is at war or at risk of war.

Withdrawal (Sw: återkallelse)

Withdrawal refers to when a proposal or a report is withdrawn.

A government bill, communication, submission, report or motion that has been submitted to the Riksdag may be withdrawn. This can be done provided the committee responsible for the matter has not submitted its report on the matter. If a member of the Riksdag has views on the withdrawal, he or she may submit a private member’s motion in response.

Written communication from the Government (Sw: skrivelse från regeringen)

Presentation or report from the Government to the Riksdag.

A written communication is a message from the Government to the Riksdag explaining how the Government views a certain matter. It can also explain how the Government has worked or is planning to work with a certain policy area. A written communication from the Government does not contain any proposal for a decision by the Riksdag.

Written communication from the Riksdag (Sw: riksdagsskrivelse)

Message from the Riksdag, usually to the Government.

A written communication from the Riksdag is a formal message from the Riksdag to the Government, for example stating that the Riksdag has taken a decision on a particular matter.

Glossary

A

Abeyance

See:

Abstain (Sw: avstå)

See also:

Acclamation (Sw: acklamation)

See also:

Account (Sw: redogörelse)

Act of Succession (Sw: successionsordningen)

See also:

Address (Sw: anförande)

See also:

Adjourn (Sw: ajournera)

Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs (Sw: utrikesnämnden)

Agenda

See:

Alternate member (Sw: ersättare)

Amending budget (Sw: ändringsbudget)

See also:

Announcement (Sw: tillkännagivande)

Appropriation (Sw: anslag)

Authorities under the Riksdag (Sw: Riksdagens myndigheter)

B

Bicameral parliament (Sw: tvåkammarriksdag)

See also:

Bill refusal (Sw: propositionsvägran)

Budget

See:

Budget Bill (Sw: budgetproposition)

See also:

Budget debate (Sw: budgetdebatt)

See also:

Budget process (Sw: budgetprocessen)

See also:

Budget statement (Sw: finansplan)

See also:

Budget year (Sw: budgetår)

See also:

C

Caretaker government (Sw: övergångsregering)

Central government budget (Sw: statens budget)

See also:

Chamber (Sw: kammaren)

Change of government (Sw: regeringsskifte)

See also:

Circulation for comment (Sw: remiss)

Clerk of the Chamber (Sw: kammarsekreterare)

Closed doors (Sw: stängda dörrar)

Coalition government (Sw: koalitionsregering)

Committee

See:

Committee group motion (Sw: kommittémotion)

See also:

Committee hearing (Sw: utskottsutfrågning)

See also:

Committee initiative (Sw: utskottsinitiativ)

See also:

Committee meeting (Sw: utskottssammanträde)

See also:

Committee on European Union Affairs (Sw: EU-nämnden)

See also:

Committee report (Sw: betänkande)

See also:

Committee secretary (Sw: föredragande)

See also:

Concurrence (Sw: instämmande)

Constituency (Sw: valkrets)

See also:

Constitution (Sw: konstitution; författning)

See also:

Council of State (Sw: konselj)

Council on Legislation (Sw: lagrådet)

Current affairs debate (Sw: aktuell debatt)

See also:

D

Debate (Sw: debatt)

Debating rules (Sw: debattregler)

Decision (Sw: beslut)

See also: