The general private members' motions period
Once a year, members of the Riksdag can submit proposals on virtually any issue that the Riksdag can take decisions on. This is known as the general private members' motions period and it usually rakes place during the autumn. The 2023 general private members' motions period started on Tuesday 12 September at 11 a.m. and ended on Thursday 5 October at 4.30 p.m.
The general private members' motions period begins at the start of the Riksdag session and finishes15 days after the Government has submitted the Budget Bill to the Riksdag. However, the Riksdag may decide on another time in response to a proposal by the Speaker.
During the general private members' motions period, members of the Riksdag may submit proposals on virtually any issue that the Riksdag can take decisions on, for example a proposal for amended legislation or an announcement to the Government to appoint an inquiry. However, a private member’s motion may not propose that the Riksdag should decide on an issue that the Government, a court of law or an administrative authority is otherwise responsible for deciding on.
Private members’ motions that are submitted during the general private members' motions period are known as independent private members' motions. A motion may contain one or more proposals.
Another type of motion is a private member’s motion arising out of a government bill. These motions may be submitted in conjunction with a proposal from the Government. Such a motion may concern the same topic as the proposal.
Facts on the general private members' motions period
- 2 703 private members’ motions were submitted in autumn 2023
- 2 238 private members’ motions were submitted in autumn 2022
- 4 150 private members’ motions were submitted in autumn 2021
- 3 645 private members’ motions were submitted in autumn 2020
- 3 313 private members’ motions were submitted in autumn 2019
- 2 938 private members’ motions were submitted in autumn 2018
The way the motions are considered in the Riksdag
Once a private member's motion has been sent in, it is submitted to the committee with responsibility for the area with which it deals. For example, motions dealing with climate issues are referred to the Committee on Environment and Agriculture. The committee goes through the motion and proposes what decision the Riksdag is to take. For many of the motions, the committees do not start this process until the spring. After that, a decision will be taken by the Riksdag on the motion.
The date for a decision for each motion is published on the Riksdag website as soon as the date has been decided.