Debates in the Chamber

Before an item of business comes up for debate in the Chamber, it is sent to one of the parliamentary committees for consideration. The committee presents its opinions on the proposal in a committee report. The committee report is the committee’s proposal for a decision by the Riksdag.

Prior to the debate and decision in the Chamber, the item is tabled, which means that it is announced to the Chamber by the Speaker. 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.

Debate on committee proposal and counter-proposal

If the parties represented in the Riksdag disagree on a proposal, a debate will normally be held in the Chamber. During the debate, members can propose that the Riksdag decide in accordance with the proposal of the committee majority, as presented in the committee report, or in accordance with counter-proposal contained in a reservation.

This means that when it is time for a vote, the committee's proposal may be set against the proposal presented in the reservation.

Recurring debates

Some of the Riksdag's major debates deal with items of parliamentary business that recur every year, such as the central government budget and scrutiny debates, during which the Riksdag holds a debate on the Government's performance of its official duties.

Two recurring debates concern the Riksdag's work with EU affairs. During the autumn, a debate is held in the Chamber after the Riksdag has examined the European Commission's work programme for the coming year.

In the spring, a debate is held after the committees have examined the Government's work with EU affairs as presented in the communication known as the Yearbook on the EU. During the debate, all members of the Riksdag are permitted to speak about the Government's EU policies.

• Determines the budget
• Examines the work of the Government
• Works with EU matters

Debating rules for debates on items of parliamentary business

During a debate on a proposal, the floor is given to the committee majority and to those who have entered a reservation against the proposal according to a set order of speakers.

The largest party in the committee majority opens the debate. The floor is then given to the largest party behind the reservation. If no reservations have been entered, the parties are given the floor in order of size in the Riksdag.

Free right of reply only applies to speeches in the “committee round”. The committee round consists of the first eight speakers and any ministers who are participating and have notified their wish to speak on the list of speakers. Any other speakers do not have free right of reply, but may reply to subsequent speeches.

Debating rules during plenary meetings (in Swedish pdf, 197 kB)

Debates on the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill and the Budget Bill

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.

In September, or later during an election year, 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 expenditure and revenue in the central government budget.

Determines the budget

Interpellation debates

An interpellation is a question from 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 two weeks.

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 the parliamentary control instruments. 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.

Rules for interpellation debates

Rules for interpellation debates (in Swedish pdf, 113 kB)

Question Time

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 must be short and they should not exceed one minute each. Approximately every other month, the Prime Minister attends to answer questions. This is known as the Prime Minister's Question Time.

The right to address questions to the Government is one element of the parliamentary control instruments. 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.

Debating rules for Question Time

• Debating rules for Question Time (in Swedish pdf, 127 kB)
• Debating rules for Prime Minister's Question Time (in Swedish pdf, 155 kB)

Debates between party leaders

A total of four debates between party leaders are held every year, in January, June, September (or later following a parliamentary election), and November. 

During the debate between party leaders, representatives of the various parties represented in the Riksdag have the opportunity to argue in favour of the policies they wish to pursue.

The debate in November is an EU policy debate between party leaders, based on the Government's priorities for its EU-related work - the Statement of Government EU Policy.

The debates between party leaders are normally interpreted into English and sign language.

Foreign policy debates

In February each year, the Riksdag holds a debate on foreign policy, On this occasion, the Riksdag debates Sweden's relations with other countries. 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

Special debates

A party can request that the Riksdag hold a debate on a certain subject that is not related to any item of parliamentary business, such as schools, healthcare or the situation in the police forces. This is known as a special debate. If it concerns EU cooperation, it is known as a special EU debate.

After consulting the party group leaders, the Speaker decides if and when the special debate will take place. The Government minister responsible for the issue in question participates in the debate.

Rules for special debates

The debate starts with a speech by a member of the party requesting the debate. The minister and members of the other parties are then given the floor. 

Rules for special debates (in Swedish pdf, 98 kB)

General policy debates

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 a parliamentary election. It often continues for several days. The Speaker of the Riksdag decides if and when a general policy debate is to be held in consultation with the party group leaders.

Information from the Government

From time to time the Government provides information to the Riksdag about topical issues. The minister responsible for the issue visits the Chamber of the Riksdag for this purpose.

After the minister has presented the issue, members of the Riksdag are free to comment 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.

Debating rules for information from the Government

After the responsible minister has spoken, the members of the Riksdag are free to comment or ask questions. The questions may not exceed two minutes each. The minister may then respond to the members’ contributions.

Debating rules for information from the Government (in Swedish pdf, 98 kB)

Reports from meetings of the European Council 

About four times a year, the Prime Minister reports back to the Riksdag from the meetings of the European Council (summits). During summits in Brussels, the heads of state and government of the EU member states meet to agree on the EU's general guidelines and priorities. The reports back to the Riksdag should normally take place in the days following the meeting.

Debating rules for reports from the meetings of the European Council

After the Prime Minister has spoken, the members of the Riksdag are free to comment or ask questions. The questions may not exceed two minutes each. The Prime Minister may then respond to the members’ contributions.

Debating rules for reports from the meetings of the European Council (in Swedish pdf, 163 kB)