The Riksdag influences Sweden’s EU policies

In its negotiations with the other EU member states, the Government cannot put forward whichever views it chooses. The Government therefore regularly meets the Riksdag in order to coordinate on EU matters. Ministers from the Government come both to the committees and the Committee on EU Affairs and the Chamber to provide information and answer questions from the members of the Riksdag on EU proposals.

The Government represents Sweden on the EU

It is the Government that represents Sweden in the EU, which means that the Government participates in the Council of Ministers and the European Council. The Council of Ministers, which consists of ministers from the governments of the EU member states, is where new EU laws are negotiated and decided on. The European Council, which consists of heads of state and government of the EU member states, is where long-term EU activities are planned.

• The Council of the European Union
• The European Council

Ministers come to the committees

Ministers from the Government are often called to the parliamentary committees for deliberations. During deliberations, the Government presents its standpoint on an EU matter, and the members of the committee have the opportunity to present their opinions on what stand they consider the Government should take in the EU. Deliberations also make it possible for the Government to find out whether its positions have support in the Riksdag.

Ministers come to the Committee on EU Affairs

When it is time for a decision to be taken on a legislative proposal from the European Commission, a minister from the Government has to participate in the Council of Ministers and take a decision on the proposal. If it concerns a new energy law, for example, it is the Minister for Energy who has to negotiate with the energy ministers from the other EU member states. Prior to such a meeting in the Council of Ministers, the Government must seek approval from the Riksdag on what position Sweden should take in negotiations.

This is known as consulting the Riksdag. These discussions take place in the Riksdag Committee on EU Affairs, which consists of members from all the parties represented in the Riksdag.

The Committee on EU Affairs

The Government obtains support for its EU policies in the Riksdag Committee on EU Affairs. The Prime Minister and other ministers come to the Committee on EU Affairs ahead of meetings of the European Council and the Council of Ministers. On the Riksdag website, you can study documents from the Committee on EU Affairs, including order papers, minutes and annual reports.

• The Committee on EU Affairs
• The Committee on EU Affairs at work
• Documents from the Committee on EU Affairs (in Swedish)

Discusses Sweden’s position

The procedure for a consultation is that the minister who is to participate in the meeting of the Council of Ministers comes to the Committee on EU Affairs to discuss Sweden’s position on a current EU matter, for example its view of a new energy law.

The Government must also seek approval from the Riksdag in connection with summit meetings in the European Council. Ahead of meetings with the European Council, the Prime Minister comes to the Committee on EU Affairs to talk about the issues to be raised at the meeting. After the summit, the Prime Minister comes to the Chamber to inform the Riksdag of what happened at the meeting. In most cases, it is the Prime Minister who comes in person to the Riksdag, but sometimes it can also be another minister or a state secretary.

The Committee on EU Affairs gives the Government its mandate

The Committee on EU Affairs gives the Government its mandate prior to negotiations in the Council of Ministers. The Government does not have to follow the Committee’s recommendations, but if it does not do so, there would be a risk that the Riksdag’s confidence in the Government would be harmed.

Ministers come to committee and the Chamber 

It is not only prior to meetings with the Council of Ministers and the European Council that the Government meets the Riksdag. Ministers from the Government are often called to the parliamentary committees for deliberations. During deliberations, the Government presents its standpoint on an EU matter, and the members of the committee have the opportunity to present their opinions on what stand they consider the Government should take in the EU. This can be the case for example when the committees examine earlier ideas and preliminary drafts of proposed legislation from the European Commission. Government ministers can also be called to hearings on EU matters in the Chamber of the Riksdag.

The Government sends documents to the Riksdag

The Government is continuously sending written information to the Riksdag. Examples of documents the Government sends are reports from meetings in the Council of Ministers and explanatory memorandums, in which the Government summarises current proposed legislation or communications for the European Commission and the Government’s view of them.

Explanatory memorandums on EU proposals (in Swedish)

Debates and issues in the Chamber

In November every year, a debate between party leaders on EU policy is held in the Chamber of the Riksdag, which is based on the Government’s priorities for EU matters, also known as the Statement of Government EU Policy.

The EU declaration 2023 on the Government Offices website (in Swedish)

Every year, the Government publishes a report on its work with EU matters, also known as “Work in the European Union”, or “the EU Yearbook”. After the committees have gone through the yearbook, an EU debate is held in the Chamber, in which all members of the Riksdag have the importunity to comment on the Government’s EU policy during the last year.

Debates can also take place in connection with the Chamber’s consideration of statements on EU documents. The Government’s accountability to the Riksdag also applies to EU matters. Therefore, ministers must come to the Chamber and answer questions from the members.

• Work in the European Union during 2023 (in Swedish)
• More on the Riksdag’s task to monitor and examine the work of the Government