The Chamber is the heart of the Riksdag. This is where the 349 members of the Riksdag gather to debate and decide on matters that affect people's day-to-day lives. Anyone is welcome to watch the debates on location from the Public Gallery or live or on demand via the Riksdag webcast service.
When it is time for debates and decisions on various proposals, the members of the Riksdag meet in the Chamber.
Photo: Anders Löwdin
When the 349 members of the Riksdag meet, they collectively constitute "the Chamber". But the word "Chamber" is also used to denote the venue where these meetings take place. The meetings are led by the Speaker or by one of the Deputy Speakers.
Centre for open political debate
The Chamber is an important centre for political debate. In the Chamber, the members of the Riksdag and government ministers can express themselves freely, provided they do not use inappropriate language or use personally insulting expressions. There should be a cordial atmosphere in the Chamber. In general, openness applies in the Chamber. This means, for example, that anyone is welcome to listen to the debates from the Chamber's Public Gallery, but visitors are not permitted to demonstrate, applaud, whistle, shout or express what they think in any way.
The media can follow debates from the press gallery. All meetings of the Chamber are recorded, which means that you can also follow debates and decisions live and on demand via the Riksdag webcast service. Some debates are also broadcast live on radio and television.
Debates on items of parliamentary business
Oscar Sjöstedt (SweDem) debates the Budget Bill for 2020 in the Chamber of the Riksdag.
Photo: Anders Löwdin
Normally, debates in the Chamber are about various items of parliamentary business, in other words specific issues that the Riksdag has to take a decision on. These items of business are usually based on proposals from the Government, that is government bills, or they may originate from members of the Riksdag, in other words private members' motions. Some of the Riksdag's major debates concern matters that recur every year, for example, the budget debate and debates on EU affairs.
All proposals, for example government bills and private members' motions, that the Riksdag has to decide on, are announced to the Chamber by the Speaker. This is known as 'tabling' a matter. This procedure is intended to give members of the Riksdag a chance to acquaint themselves with proposals before it is time later on to debate and decide on them in the Chamber. Usually, tabling takes place without a debate, but a member of the Riksdag can ask to speak.
Once the Speaker has tabled a proposal, it is referred, in other words sent, to one of the Riksdag committees for consideration. Usually, proposals such as government bills and private members' motions are referred for consideration without debate, but a member of the Riksdag can ask to speak in the Chamber.
Once a proposal has been referred, that is sent, to a committee for consideration, the committee will examine the matter and report its opinion on the proposal in a committee report. The committee report is the committee's proposal for a decision by the Riksdag.
If the parties represented in the Riksdag have differing opinions, there will normally be a debate in the Chamber. During the debate, members can propose that the Riksdag decide according to the committee majority or according to counter-proposals presented in reservations. When it is time for a vote, the committee's proposals may be set against those put forward in a reservation.
Meetings during which the members of the Riksdag debate matters and take a decision are known as plenary meetings.
The Minister for Finance submits the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill to the Riksdag in April each year. The Riksdag then holds a debate on the Bill's proposals regarding guidelines for Sweden's economic policy and for work with the central government budget in the next budget year.
The Minister for Finance submits the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill to the Riksdag in April each year. The Riksdag then holds a debate on the Bill's proposals regarding guidelines for Sweden's economic policy and for work with the central government budget in the next budget year.
The budget process
In September, the Minister for Finance presents the Budget Bill to the Riksdag. After the Minister has presented the Bill, a debate is held with representatives of all parties. The Budget Bill contains proposals for central government revenue and expenditure.
Determines the budget
Every year, the Government provides information on its work relating to the EU in a written communication known as the Yearbook on the EU. Every spring, after the committees have gone through the Yearbook, a special debate on EU affairs is held, in which all members of the Riksdag can comment on the Government's EU policies.
Work with EU issues in the Chamber
In May each year the Riksdag holds a debate on the Government's performance of its official duties. The debate is based on the reports members of the Riksdag have submitted to the Committee on the Constitution which every year scrutinises the Government to ascertain whether it has observed current rules in the handling of Government business. Throughout the year, members can report ministers to the Committee for inappropriate behaviour.
Examines the work of the Government
Interpellation debates
Interpellations can be submitted in writing and the Minister responds to the question both in writing and orally. The answer is followed by a debate in the Chamber. The image shows Minister for Justice and Migration Morgan Johansson (Social Democratic Party) and Katarina Brännström (M) in an interpellation debate.
Photo: Anders Löwdin
An interpellation is a question addressed by a member of the Riksdag to a Government minister. The question should concern some aspect of the minister's work. The purpose of an interpellation is often to examine or raise a particular problem. The minister is obliged to answer within 14 days and the reply must be presented both in writing and orally.
After the minister has answered the interpellation in the Chamber, a debate is held between the member and the minister. The debates are open to all members of the Riksdag that wish to participate.
The right to address questions to the Government is one element of parliamentary control. Members of the Riksdag can put both oral and written questions to the Government. Thousands of questions are usually asked during the course of a parliamentary year.
Special debates
On 30 August 2018, a special debate was held on the efforts to extinguish the summer’s widespread forest fires. Minister for Justice Morgan Johansson (Social Democratic Party) answered questions. At the rostrum Mikael Oscarsson (Christian Democrats).
Photo: Anders Löwdin
A party can request that the Riksdag hold a debate on a certain subject that is not related to any specific item of parliamentary business, such as schools, healthcare or the situation in the police forces. This is known as a special debate.
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.
Special debates were previously called current affairs debates.
Debate between party leaders
Ebba Busch Thor (Christian Democrats) during a debate between party leaders in spring 2019.
Photo: Anders Löwdin
During the debate between party leaders, the leaders of all the parties represented in the Riksdag have the opportunity to argue in favour of the policies they wish to pursue. Four such debates are held each year, in January, June, September and November. The debate in November is a debate between party leaders on EU policy. This debate is based on the Statement of Government EU Policy, which sets out the Government's priorities for its forthcoming work with EU matters.
The debates between party leaders are usually interpreted into English and sign language.
Foreign policy debate
Yasmine Posio (Left Party) raised the issue of development cooperation policy during her speech at the foreign policy debate in 2019. To the right sits Kerstin Lundgren. She is the Centre Party’s foreign policy spokesperson and Third Deputy Speaker.
Photo: Anders Löwdin
The Riksdag holds a debate on Sweden's foreign policy, including Sweden's relations with other countries, in February each year. The debate begins with a presentation by the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Statement of Government Policy on Foreign Affairs.
One of the tasks of the Riksdag is to shape Swedish foreign policy together with the Government. Traditionally, the Government has had considerable responsibility for Swedish foreign policy. However, in parallel with increasing internationalisation, the Riksdag's involvement in foreign policy has grown.
Foreign policy and the Riksdag
General policy debate
Elisabeth Svantesson (Moderate Party) and Ali Esbati (Left Party) during the general policy debate in the autumn of 2018.
Photo: Anders Löwdin
During the general policy debate, all members of the Riksdag are given the opportunity to speak about 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 a general policy debate is to be held in consultation with the party group leaders.
Decisions on items of parliamentary business
The members of the Riksdag take thousands of decisions in the Chamber each year. Normally, when a vote is held there are over 300 members present in the Chamber. The matters about which the Riksdag is to take a decision are usually based on proposals from the Government (government bills) or from members of the Riksdag (private members' motions). They are considered by a parliamentary committee before a debate and decision are held in the Chamber.
A decision on a particular matter is taken once the members of the Riksdag have finished debating the matter. A decision is normally taken on a fixed separate date, but sometimes a vote is taken directly after a debate. Matters are either determined by acclamation, which literally means shouting "yes", or by means of a vote using the voting buttons.
Makes laws
The members of the Riksdag take thousands of decisions each year. Normally when a vote is held there are over 300 members present in the Chamber. A decision is normally taken on a fixed separate date, but sometimes a vote is taken directly after a debate.
Debates on items of parliamentary business
Decisions are made in the Chamber. A vote is conducted by the members pressing a voting button on their benches. There are three buttons to choose from: green for "Yes", red for "No" and yellow for "Abstain".
Photo: Anders Löwdin
Voting signal
Every time a vote is to be taken, a signal can be heard throughout the Riksdag. After the first signal, the members have exactly ten minutes in which to reach the Chamber. Once they have taken their seats, it is time to take a decision about the matters that have been debated since the last vote was held.
Acclamation
When it is time for the Chamber to take a decision on a particular matter, the Speaker asks whether the Chamber says "yes" to the Committee's proposal for a decision. If no member of the Riksdag opposes the proposal, the Speaker establishes that the answer is yes and confirms the decision with a strike of his gavel. This method of taking a decision is known as decision by acclamation. The word acclamation comes from the Latin verb acclamare which means to meet with approval.
A vote is held
If a member of the Riksdag wants the Chamber to vote on a matter, he or she can demand that a vote be held. The procedure starts with the Clerk of the Chamber reading the proposal on which the vote is to be held to the Chamber. The members then know whether to vote yes or no, depending on whether they want the proposal of the committee majority or the counter-proposal to win.
Most matters are divided into different sub-proposals (motions). If the Chamber does not agree on several sub-proposals, several votes may be requested on one and the same matter.
A vote is conducted by the members pressing a voting button on their benches. There are three buttons to choose from: green for "Yes", red for "No" and yellow for "Abstain". The result of the vote is displayed on the screen and display board on the wall behind the rostrum.
If the vote, for some reason, cannot be conducted by using the voting buttons, it is held by means of a call of names.
Several proposals
Sometimes during a debate on an item of parliamentary business, the members have expressed support for several proposals on one and the same matter. In such cases, the Chamber can determine which two proposals will go to a final vote by means of preparatory votes. This means that the members vote for two proposals at a time until there is just one proposal left that can be set against the proposal of the committee majority.
How have the members voted?
Information about how each member has voted and which members have been absent can be read after a vote has been held in special lists known as voting records. The voting records are available in Swedish on the Riksdag website.
What happens after a decision has been taken?
After a decision has been taken, the Riksdag sends a written communication to the Government to inform it of its decision. It is the Government's task to ensure that the decision is implemented in the way intended by the Riksdag. The communication from the Riksdag takes the form of a brief message stating the Riksdag's position on the committee's proposal. To find out what the decision was about you have to read the relevant committee report.
Debates and decisions
Everything is written down
The official reporters of the parliamentary record write down everything that is said in the Chamber. On the day after a debate it is possible to read what was said in the preliminary record on the Riksdag website. Here you can also see how the parties have voted on different matters. The final record is published in writing after a couple of weeks.
Question Time
Every week there is a question-and-answer session in the Chamber when the Government answers oral questions from members of the Riksdag. Here Matilda Ernkrans (Social Democratic Party), Minister for Higher Education and Research, answers a question from member Roger Haddad (Liberal Party).
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand
Question Time with the Government is held on Thursdays at 2 p.m. These sessions are attended by four government ministers who come to answer questions from members of the Riksdag. The ministers do not see the questions in advance. Questions and answers have to be short and in principle they should not exceed one minute each. Approximately once a month the Prime Minister answers questions alone. This is known as the Prime Minister's Question Time.
The right to address questions to the Government is one element of parliamentary control. Members of the Riksdag can put both oral and written questions to the Government. Thousands of questions are usually asked during the course of a parliamentary year.
Information from the Government
From time to time, the Government provides information to the Riksdag about topical issues. The minister responsible for the issue then attends this session in the Chamber of the Riksdag. After the minister has presented the issue, members of the Riksdag can submit comments or address questions to the minister. The Prime Minister usually provides information to the Riksdag after summits with the heads of state and government of the other EU member states in the European Council.
The EU in the Chamber
EU matters are debated in the Chamber of the Riksdag, and these debates are open to everyone. In this way, the Chamber is important in promoting transparency, openness and public debate around EU matters.
All documents from the EU that are to be considered by the Riksdag are announced in the Chamber. They are then forwarded to the parliamentary committee responsible for the matter at hand. The task of the committee is to prepare a proposal which is then debated and decided on in the Chamber.
Debates and information
The members debate EU issues in the Chamber in a number of contexts, and not only when considering EU-related proposals. Debates may also be held after a minister has answered an interpellation, during Question Time on Thursdays, or for a specific purpose.
The Government also provides regular information in the Chamber on various EU matters. These include the Prime Minister's reports following meetings with the EU heads of state or government in the European Council.
The Yearbook on the EU
Every year the Riksdag holds a more general EU policy debate. The debate is based on the Yearbook on the EU. This is a written communication from the Government to the Riksdag on activities in the EU and what the Government has done in the EU.
The Chamber examines the work of the Government
The Chamber has various ways of monitoring the Government's way of conducting its work with EU issues. By means of interpellations and question times, the members of the Riksdag can address questions to the Government ministers. This often leads to debate.
If there is strong criticism in the Riksdag of the Government's actions, 35 members can propose a declaration of no confidence in the Government or an individual minister. If at least 175 of the 349 members of the Riksdag vote in favour of the proposal, the Government or minister must resign from office. However, the Riksdag cannot formally invalidate a decision that the Government has contributed to making in the EU Council of Ministers.
Declaration of no confidence
Agreements must be approved by the Chamber
Sweden's membership of the EU means that the Riksdag has handed over many of its decision-making rights on many legislative issues to the EU institutions. Any amendments to Sweden's agreements with the EU must, however, be approved in the Chamber first.
EU matters in the Riksdag
As a result of Sweden's membership of the EU, the Riksdag is no longer the only body with the authority to decide what laws will apply in Sweden. It shares this role with the EU institutions. The Riksdag deals with EU-related matters in many different ways.
Works with EU-related matters
Committee work on EU matters