Decisions that have changed Sweden 1523–2023

Follow important decisions and events that have changed Sweden, formed our democracy and have influenced the way the Riksdag has developed.

1500–1600

1523 – Sweden leaves the Kalmar Union, the union between the kingdoms of Sweden, Norway and Denmark that had been formed in 1379. Gustav Vasa is elected King on 6 June.

1527 – the first parliamentary session with a full Riksdag (also known as the Riksdag of the Reformation) is held in Västerås. Gustav Vasa pushes through a break with the Catholic Church in Rome and all its property in Sweden is appropriated by the state. The reformed Church is now reliant on the state.

1544 – At the Riksdag in Västerås, the system of a hereditary monarchy is introduced, as proposed by Gustav Vasa. The King is no longer to be elected, but the position of monarch is instead to be inherited from the next in line to the throne in the Royal Family.

1593 – Bishops and priests wo have been summoned to a meeting in Uppsala decide that the Evangelical Lutheran faith should serve as Sweden’s state religion. The following year, the Riksdag also confirms the decision. Sweden has thus now definitely left the Catholic Church. The reformation has been carried out. The last monastery in the country is closed in Vadstena.

Painting of Gustaf Vasa — Photo: Jacob Vendelius/Royal Library

Did you know?

In the 15th century, the monarch summoned powerful groups to meetings? During the 15th century, meetings with the four estates – the Nobility, Clergy, Burghers and Peasantry – became more organised. When the estates met and were presided over by the King, the word “Riksdag” was used for these meetings. Meetings of this kind were, however, arranged rather seldom – several years could go by in between.

Sweden today is a constitutional monarchy? This means that the monarch is head of state. In practice, however, he or she has no influence over the Government or the Riksdag. The Instrument of Government, one of four fundamental laws, sets out that we shall have a king or queen as head of state

1601–1700

1627 – The first Riksdag committee is convened at the Riksdag in Stockholm. It is called the Secret Committee and it is tasked with discussing the wars taking place in the world.

1634 – Sweden’s first Instrument of Government is approved. The act is initiated by the Government Official and Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna. This marks the beginning of a more well-organised state, whose everyday routines can work more independently of the Monarch. The Instrument of Government also establishes that the Royal Court, the Government, the Riksdag and the Central Government Administration from now on will all be located in Stockholm.

1668 – Riksens Ständers Bank was founded, which was later to become Sveriges Riksbank, the National Bank of Sweden. The bank is managed by the Riksdag.

Approve new taxes

The Riksdag was given a new task in the 1620s – that is to approve new taxes. The Riksdag now met almost every year. The members of the Riksdag gained both experience and proficiency.

The Swedish state apparatus

Axel Oxenstierna is considered to be the founder of the Swedish state apparatus? He formed government offices and succeeded in getting them to cooperate with each other. He also had the country divided into counties with set borders, most of which still apply today.

1701–1800

1719 – The start of the Age of Freedom. The power of the King diminishes and the Riksdag takes the most important decisions.

1723 – The first real Riksdag Act is adopted as one of the fundamental laws. The Riksdag Act lays down the Riksdag’s work procedures and stipulates what influence it is to have. A system of voting is introduced which states that majority decisions for the first time will now carry greater weight than the will of the King.

1766 – The Freedom of the Press Act is adopted. Sweden becomes the first country in the world to adopt a law regulating the right to free speech. Everyone may now publish their opinions in print, even though there are certain limitations when it comes to religion. Everyone also now has the right to access official documents. This principle of public access to official documents also makes it possible for citizens to scrutinise politicians and public authorities.

1789 – the Supreme Court is established as the highest judicial body in the country. Previously, the nobility had the power to adjudicate in the Council of the Realm. The judicial system now becomes more professionalised. Of the twelve members of the Supreme Court, half had to be noblemen. The King could now participate in the adjudication process, having two votes and a casting vote. The court is part of the central administration of the state, not independent as would be the case later.

The riksdag act — Photo: The Riksdag Administration

The Age of Freedom

Sweden was in a state of crisis after the death of Karl XII on 30 November 1718 and the fall of Sweden as a great power? The country was destitute following the many long wars. There was a great feeling of unrest and the people wanted change. The Age of Freedom that followed strengthened the role of the Riksdag. One of the new fundamental laws was the Instrument of Government. It established that the Riksdag was Sweden’s central controlling power and that the King was expected to follow the decisions of the Riksdag.

Special committees

As the Riksdag gained more power, it had more items of business to handle? Special committees were created to prepare matters before they were passed to the Riksdag for decisions to be taken. The Riksdag also exercised supervision of the Government, which was known as the Council of the Realm, to ensure that the Council and the King were governing in the way that the Riksdag had decided. Despite the fact that this period was called the Age of Freedom, it was not possible to criticise decisions made by the Riksdag or the Council.

Carl Linnaeus

The botanist and scientist Carl Linnaeus was assigned the task by the Riksdag of studying nature in the 1740s. His system of classification for plants and animals in Sweden and other countries still applies today. Linneus’s assignment is an example of the way in which the state in the 18th century invested in science to make the country richer, rather than just concentrating on war.

The freedom of the press

The freedom of the press and the principle of public access to official documents are still important for democracy in Sweden. Today, you can in principle say what you want and write articles and letters in newspapers, create your own website or share your opinions on social media.

1801–1900

1809 – a new Instrument of Government is introduced. The Riksdag now passes laws together with the King. However, the Riksdag has sole decision-making power as regards taxes – a Committee on the Constitution is formed to ensure that the King and the Government follow the law. At the same time, Sweden is the first country to establish the office of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen. Citizens may turn to the Parliamentary Ombudsmen if they have any complaints regarding public authorities.

1840 – The Ministers and the King in the Government are given the assistance of specialised ministries to help them when making political decisions. This was the foundation for the organisation of our modern-day system of government.

1842 – Compulsory elementary school is introduced All parishes and towns must have a school with a qualified elementary school teacher. The state is responsible for teacher training. However, it stakes some time before the actual teaching everywhere becomes longer than around one month a year.

1846 – 1864 – the system of guilds is abolished and freedom of trade is introduced. This means that practically anyone may start their own business or company. The background to this is the process of industrialisation which is going on at the time and placing new demands on the labour market.

1850 – A whole range of reforms are implemented aimed at reducing corruption in central government administration. Civil servants are given higher salaries and they are required to be more well-versed with the areas they are working with.

1854 – The Riksdag decides that the state will be responsible for building and paying for a railway network between Sweden’s major towns and cities.

1862 – Municipalities and county councils are formed. However, variations of local self-government have been in existence in Sweden since the early Middle Ages and perhaps even earlier.

1865 – 1866 – The Riksdag of the Estates is abolished and replaced by a bicameral parliament. The old society of the estates, where most of whose members found themselves by virtue of their birth, is now on its way out. The Riksdag will now reflect the new society. All members of parliament are to be elected, rather than automatically representing their estate. Two chambers are created, the First and the Second Chamber. However, the right to vote is severely restricted by provisions governing those who are allowed to vote. Landowners, officials and owners of major companies therefore dominate in the First Chamber, and the land-owning peasantry in the Second.

1878 – The Riksdag decides that common time, standard time shall be introduced in the whole of Sweden.

Ministries

Seven ministries were formed in 1840? Some of these are still in existence today. After the most recent formation of a new government in 2022, Sweden has eleven ministries.

Local government

The system of local government today gives municipalities the right to decide on certain local matters. These rights come with a number of obligations, for example responsibility for schools, social services and care of the elderly. Local self-government is incorporated into the Swedish Constitution and is an important part of democracy. Whether the municipalities should be given a free hand to decide on all matters or whether they should be governed by the state is often the subject of debate.

Elementary school is introduced in Sweden. — Photo: Unknown/Glava folkskola
Public school was introduced in Sweden in the 19th century.

Swedish standard time

Swedish standard time was introduced as a result of a need to have the same time zone in the whole of the country in connection with the building of the railway in Sweden. There was a 24-hour difference, for example, between Stockholm and Gothenburg. But as the trains had to go on time, it was considered easier to have the same time everywhere. After many discussions, the Riksdag decided that Swedish standard time should be introduced throughout the country. All clocks were adjusted accordingly on 1 January 1879.

No women – and only every fifth man

In the beginning, no women – and only every fifth man – were allowed to vote for representatives in the Second Chamber. The rules restricting the right to vote sifted out both those with average salaries and the poor. Elections to the First Chamber benefited the richest who had more votes.

1901–2000

1901 – National military service is introduced and all men between the ages of 18 and 47 are obliged to do basic military training and refresher training. If they are called up in the event of war or danger of war, they are obliged to report for duty. The system lives on until the middle of the 1990s. From 2010, national military service is replaced with a period of voluntary training.

1917 – A parliamentary system of government is introduced. This means that the Government is accountable to the Riksdag and must have support for its policy. The Riksdag is in turn accountable to its voters, that is the people. The King no longer decides who is to sit in the Government and in practice loses his political power.

1919 - Eight-hour working day is decided on. Since the working week still consists of six days, there are 48 working hours per week.

1918 – 1921 – The Riksdag decides to introduce universal and equal suffrage for both men and women. Both men and women now have one vote each and are eligible for election to the Riksdag. Democracy has now arrived.

1923 – The Eligibility Act is adopted. The Eligibility Act states that women are now entitled to all employment in the public sector except military positions and the priesthood. From 1974 onwards, men and women have equal rights to all kinds of work.

1928 – Act on Collective Agreements is introduced and the Swedish Labour Court is established. This forms the basis for the modern labour market. In practice, the Act only covers employees in industry and transport and does not apply to state employees, servants, commercial employees and agricultural employees.

1946 – Sweden becomes a member of the UN.

1947 – Sweden signs the international free trade agreement GATT. The agreement regulates trade across national borders. Its purpose is to increase international trade by reducing customs duties and other trade barriers.

1950 – Sweden becomes a member of the Council of Europe which promotes democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Sweden signs the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. However, it is not until 1995 that the Convention becomes part of Swedish law and thus enforceable in practice.

1950 – The Riksdag decides to introduce compulsory nine-year schooling for all children. Now, all pupils have to attend school for at least nine years.

1951 – The Freedom of Religion Act is established. This gives Swedish citizens the right to freely leave the Church of Sweden without joining another approved religious community. The Freedom of Religion Act states that everyone has the right to practise their religion and arrange services in public. Government ministers no longer have to be Christian.

1962 – Common universal compulsory school is introduced. The idea is that all pupils should go to the same sort of school, with the same curriculum. Now, education is the same for everyone.

1971 – The bicameral system is abolished and a unicameral system is introduced. As of now, citizens can determine the composition of the Riksdag in one and the same election. The new electoral system means that the parties receive exactly the same share of seats as they do votes. This is acknowledged in the 1974 Riksdag Act.

1974 – a new Instrument of Government was introduced in which the parliamentary system of government is stated as part of the Constitution. The King’s political power, which has already been abolished in practice, now also formally disappears.

1994 – The electoral period for the Riksdag, the County and Municipal Councils was extended from three to four years.

1995 – Sweden becomes a member of the European Union (EU). Sweden's electorate are now able to vote in the election to the European Parliament and parts of the Riksdag’s legislative powers are transferred to the EU.

Five-day working week

The five-day working week was introduced in 1964. Children did not have to go to school on Saturdays any longer as teachers no longer worked on Saturdays. On 1 January 1973, regular working hours for employees became 40 hour per week.

The UN

The UN was formed to preserve peace and protect people from war and injustice? Today, 193 countries are members of this global organisation. The UN Day on 24 October has been a public flag day in Sweden since 1982.

2001–

2000 – The Church is separated from the state. The Church of Sweden is no longer a state church, but becomes a religious community among all other religious communities in Sweden. The tradition of close relations between the state and the church that has existed for many hundreds of years is now at an end.

2022 – Sweden applies for membership of the defence alliance NATO.

2023 – It is now 500 years since the Kalmar Union was disbanded and governance in the Nordic countries was divided up according to nations. Over the years, power between the King and the Riksdag has flowed back and forth. Today, Sweden is a democracy and our Riksdag consists of members of parliament who are elected by the people and in which all Swedish citizens over 18 years of age are able to vote.

National military service is not to apply in peacetim

In 2010 the Riksdag decided that national military service is not to apply in peacetime. It was replaced instead by a national total defence service, which applies to both men and women between the ages of 16 and 70.