From royal power to people’s power - 500 years of parliament in Sweden
In June 2023, Sweden will celebrate 500 years as an independent nation. This historic event provides a point of departure for describing how our country’s form of government has developed, from the parliamentary session in Strängnäs to today’s Constitution. The Riksdag is commemorating and celebrating how Sweden’s form of government has developed, with a special emphasis on the role of the parliament and the development of its work procedures over the last 500 years.
Study material
From Royal Power to People’s Power forms part of study material on the development of the Riksdag over 500 years and on decisions that have been taken historically and which are still of importance to us today. The material is intended for Years 4–6 and provides pupils with the opportunity to reflect on democratic values and social issues then and now. You can find the material on the page Beställ och ladda ner/Studiematerial under the heading Årskurs 4–6 (in Swedish). Photo: The Riksdag Administration
Poster exhibition
The poster exhibition is a printable exhibition which can be downloaded and displayed, for example in libraries or schools. 500 years ago, Sweden became an independent state and left the Kalmar Union with Norway and Denmark. Over the centuries, the power and tasks of parliament have varied. This poster exhibition provides an insight into how the parliamentary role and work procedures have developed over the last 500 years – from the parliamentary session in Strängnäs in 1523 to our modern-day parliament. Photo: The Riksdags Administration
The history of the riksdag
Our modern democracy has existed for approximately one hundred years. However, the roots of Sweden’s representative democracy go back further than that. On this page, you can read more about the history of the Riksdag. Photo: The Riksdag Administration
The history of the Riksdag
Decisions that changed Sweden
On this timeline, you can follow all the decisions and events that have changed Sweden, shaped our democracy and affected the way the Riksdag has developed. The timeline begins in 1523 at the national assembly in Strängnäs and continues until 2023 with the modern Riksdag of today. Photo: Kulturen/Historisk Bildbyrå