What is what in the Chamber?

• The 349 members of the Riksdag have fixed seats and sit according to their constituency rather than party, unlike the norm in many other countries.
• Sweden is divided into 29 constituencies.
• Members representing the Municipality of Stockholm sit at the front on the right whilst members from Norrbotten County sit at the front on the left.
• The members of the Government have their seats at the front to the left.

The Speaker presides over meetings

The meetings of the Chamber are chaired by the Speaker or one of the three Deputy Speakers. The Speaker sits in the middle of the platform. The Speaker is not permitted to take part in debates or votes. The three Deputy Speakers have their seats to the left of the rostrum. Unlike the Speaker, the Deputy Speakers can vote even when chairing meetings of the Chamber. However, they are not permitted to take part in debates when chairing a meeting.

If the Speaker and Deputy Speakers are unable to attend, the longest-serving member of those present in the Chamber can chair the meeting. If several members have served for an equal length of time, the eldest will chair.

The rostrum

The rostrum to the left of the Speaker is where members of the Riksdag stand when they hold a speech. The rostrum is decorated with the national coat of arms, designed by Ingegerd Råman and Per B Sundberg. The rostrums in front of the Speaker's desk are, for example, used during debates between party leaders and interpellation debates.

Officials on the platform

The clerk of the Chamber assists the Speaker during meetings and provides advice on matters such as the fundamental laws and the Riksdag Act. The clerk of the Chamber sits to the right of the Speaker. To the right of the clerk of the Chamber sits an official from the Secretariat of the Chamber and an official reporter of the parliamentary record.

The official connects the microphones for contributors to the debate and manages the voting system and information boards. The official reporters of the parliamentary record write down everything that is said in the Chamber. This can be read a couple of hours later in the preliminary record. Assistants help with various practical tasks in the Chamber. They sit behind the clerk of the Chamber and the official.

The ballot box and ballot urn

In the event of a tied vote during a vote in the Chamber, matters can sometimes be determined by lot. In such cases, the ballot box on the Speaker's desk is used. The artist K G Nilson crafted the ballot box using 15 different types of wood.

On a glass stand there is a ballot urn which is used in the event of a secret ballot, for example for the election of the Speaker. The urn was made by the artist K G Nilson and shows land, water and roads. The bridge unites the different roads and may be seen symbolically as an agreement. The apple on the lid is the fruit of knowledge.

Seats for officials

When an item of parliamentary business is debated in the Chamber, the committee officials who have drafted the committee's proposal attend the debate. They sit along the wall to the right. On the opposite side along the left wall there are seats for officials from the Government Offices. When government ministers are to speak in the Chamber, they are often accompanied by officials from their ministry.

Voting results on the information board

The projector screens on the wall behind the platform are also known as information boards. They show the item of parliamentary business that is being debated, who is speaking, or the results of a vote. It is also possible to show moving images and information from the Riksdag's in-house broadcasts. The voting displays, showing how each member has voted, are under the projector screens. Each of the lights on the board represents a member's seat. A green light for "yes", red for "no" and yellow for "abstain". If a member is absent, the corresponding light will be out.

The tapestry Memory of a landscape

The tapestry on the wall behind the platform is called Memory of a Landscape and was created by the textile artist Elisabet Hasselberg Olsson. It is 54 square metres in size and is woven from flax from different parts of the country. The tapestry depicts an imaginary landscape that could be found anywhere in Sweden.

Seats for journalists

Behind the windows above the tapestry and along the left wall there are offices and studios for the media. Seats are reserved for reporters and photographers at the southern end of the public gallery. Photographers can also take photographs from the balconies, on either side of the platform and from the photo openings on either side of the tapestry.

The public gallery - open to everyone

Anyone who wishes can attend meetings of the Chamber and sit in the public gallery. All debates can be viewed live or on-demand via the Riksdag webcast service. Some debates are also broadcast live on radio and television. The contents of debates can be read a couple of hours later in the preliminary record.

There are certain rules of procedure for visitors to the public gallery. Manifestations, demonstrations and applause are not permitted. Photography is permitted, but not using a flash. Taking close-up pictures of notes or documents on members' desks or on the platform is prohibited.