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This page contains the full text of the PARLINE database entry on the selected parliamentary chamber, with the exception of Oversight and Specialized bodies modules which, because of their excessive length, can be only viewed and printed separately.

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riksdagen / Parliament More photos  >>> Structure of parliament Unicameral Affiliation to the IPU Yes Affiliation date(s) 1890 - LEADERSHIP President Per Westerberg (M)  Notes Re-elected on 4 Oct. 2010. Secretary General Kathrin Flossing (F)  Notes Elected on 4 Oct. 2010. COMPOSITION Members (statutory / current number) 349 / 349 PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN More statistics  >>> Women (current number) 156 (44.70%) Mode of designation directly elected 349 Term 4 years Last renewal dates 19 September 2010 (View details) CONTACT INFORMATION Address Riksdagen 100 12 STOCKHOLM (Export mailing lists) Phone (468) 786 40 00 Fax (468) 786 61 43 786 61 28 E-mail riksdagsinformation@riksdagen.se Website http://www.riksdagen.se

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riksdagen / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral LEGAL FRAMEWORK Electoral law 1 June 1997 Last amendment: 01.01.2006 Mode of designation directly elected 349 Constituencies - 29 multi-member constituencies for 310 members (2 to 34 seats each; the number of seats per constituency is revised at each election based on the number of eligible voters) - 1 other multi-member constituency for 39 "at large" seats Voting system Proportional: For 310 seats: - members are elected under the closed-party list system with preferential vote; - seats are proportionally distributed according to the modified Sainte-Laguë method; - to be awarded a seat, a party must obtain either at least 4 per cent of the votes cast throughout the country or 12 per cent of the votes cast in a constituency; - votes are cast for party lists, and electors may also express specific preferences for individual candidates. In such cases, the required threshold for election on the basis of personal votes is 8 per cent of the total cast for the candidate's party in the constituency concerned. For the 39 remaining ("at-large") seats: - the remaining seats are allotted by the system of full proportional representation based on the votes obtained nationwide; - to be awarded a seat, a party must obtain at least 4 per cent of the votes cast throughout the country. Vacancies arising between general elections are filled by a substitute member chosen at the same time as the elected member. Elections are held for all seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office (four years). They are held on the third Sunday in September of the election year. Voting is not compulsory. Voter requirements - age: at least 18 years old on election day - Swedish citizenship (including naturalized citizens) - there is no residence requirement - citizens overseas can vote under certain conditions: they must be on the special electoral roll, which includes citizens who have emigrated during the past ten years or who have notified the tax authorities of their wish to be on the electoral roll no later than 16 August of the election year (non-registered citizens may still be included in the electoral roll on condition that their ballot paper arrives before 14 September of the election year) - disqualifications: holders of temporary entry permits, undocumented immigrants CANDIDATES Eligibility - qualified electors - age: at least 18 years old on election day - Swedish citizenship (including naturalized citizens) - there is no residence requirement - citizens overseas are eligible under certain conditions (if they are on the special electoral roll mentioned under voter requirements) - ineligibilities: holders of temporary entry permits, undocumented immigrants Incompatibilities - ministers of State - speaker of the Parliament Although ministers and the speaker may not serve as members of parliament while in office, they may retain their seats, which are held by substitute members in the meantime. The ministers and the speaker may take up their parliamentary duties when they give up the posts mentioned above. Candidacy requirements - nomination by a registered political party - the names of the titular and substitute member must be submitted simultaneously

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riksdagen / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral BACKGROUND Dates of election / renewal (from/to) 19 September 2010 Timing and scope of renewal Elections were held for all the seats in Parliament on the normal expiry of the members' term of office. There were 349 seats at stake in the 2010 parliamentary elections. The media focused on whether Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt's government would be the first from the centre-right to be returned to power since Sweden introduced universal suffrage for men and women in 1921. In the previous elections (September 2006), the Alliance for Sweden, which comprised four opposition centre-right parties - the Moderate Party (97 seats), the Centre Party (CP, 29), the Liberal Party (FP, 28) and the Christian Democratic Party (KD, 24) - won a total of 178 seats. Prime Minister Göran Persson's Social Democratic Party (SAP) - which had ruled the country for most of the period since 1932 - took 130 seats. The Left Party (VP) and the Green Party (Mpg) - which had voted with the outgoing SAP minority government - took 22 and 19 seats respectively. Prime Minister Persson conceded defeat. Mr. Reinfeldt (Moderate Party), who was the Alliance for Sweden's only candidate for premier, formed a coalition government in October. In the next four years, Prime Minister Reinfeldt pushed through 70 billion kronor (US$ 10 billion) in income-tax cuts and promised to lower taxes on incomes and pensions by a further 25 billion kronor through 2014. The country's economy shrank by 5.1 per cent in 2009 as a result of the global economic crisis but was expected to expand by 4.5 per cent in 2010, the best performance among the 27 Member States of the European Union (EU). However, the unemployment rate stood at 7.4 per cent - higher than when Mr. Reinfeldt came to power. In the 2010 elections, Prime Minister Reinfeldt's four-party coalition was challenged by the SAP and other centre-left parties as well as the Sweden Democrats (SD), a far-right party formed in 1988. Prime Minister Reinfeldt urged voters to keep the SD out of parliament. He said he wanted Sweden be more involved in the EU but promised not to hold a new referendum on the euro (which had been rejected in a 2003 referendum). FP leader and Minister of Education Jan Björklund proposed to open "elite classes" in high schools so as to enable more pupils to pursue upper secondary education. The Centre Party, led by Deputy Prime Minister Maud Olofsson, positioned itself as the party of entrepreneurs and ecologists of the right. KD leader Göran Hägglund promised to create more jobs and to raise the minimum age of retirement from 67 to 70. The SAP leader, Ms. Mona Sahlin, who had her eye on becoming Sweden's first female prime minister, criticized the government's tax-cut policies. She argued that the government was dismantling the welfare system step by step and widening the gap between rich and poor, a view shared by VP leader Lars Ohly. Ms. Sahlin was said to be unpopular because of an incident in the 1990s in which she was criticized for using a professional credit card for private purchases. On the other hand, the Mpg, co-led by Mr. Peter Eriksson and Ms. Maria Wetterstrand, gained ground on the back of Ms. Wetterstrand's popularity. She is known for her "liberal-green" policies. In addition to its traditional environmental agenda, the Mpg promised to privatize some public enterprises. Mr. Eriksson said the Mpg was open to cooperation with centre-right parties. The SD argued that Islam and Muslims were "un-Swedish" and promised to reduce immigration by as much as 90 per cent. It portrayed immigration as an economic burden on the welfare system. SD leader Jimmie Aakesson pledged to introduce tougher citizenship requirements and stiffer penalties for crime, including obligatory expulsion of all foreigners committing serious crimes. He also promised to raise spending on the elderly. All the main parties criticized the SD's anti-immigration platform and urged voters not support it. They also stated they would not cooperate with the SD. Sweden has a long tradition of accepting immigrants and refugees, and they currently account for 14 per cent of the country's 9.4 million inhabitants. In all, 84.63 per cent of the 7.1 million registered voters turned out at the polls. The four parties in Mr. Reinfeldt's government won a total of 173 seats, two seats short of a majority. The SAP recorded its worst result since its inception in 1914, taking 112 seats. Conversely, the SD fared well and entered parliament for the first time with 20 seats. The Mpg took 25 seats - up from 19 in 2006 - while the FP took 19. Because few of the SD candidates elected were women (3 out of 20, or 15%), the percentage of women parliamentarians fell for the first time since 1991, from 162 (46.42%) in 2006 to 157 (44.99%) in 2010. On 23 September, Prime Minister Reinfeldt announced that he would form a minority government in an enhanced coalition with the Mpg. He became the first centre-right leader since 1921 to be returned to government after serving a full term. On 4 October, the newly elected Parliament held its first session and re-elected Mr. Per Westerberg of the Moderate Party as its Speaker. STATISTICS Voter turnout Round no 1 19 September 2010 Number of registered electors Voters Blank or invalid ballot papers Valid votes 7'123'651 6'028'682 (84.63%) 68'274 5'960'408 Notes Distribution of votes Round no 1 Political group Candidates Votes % of votes Social Democratic Party (SAP) 1'827'497 30.66 Moderate Party (M) 1'791'766 30.06 Green Party (Mpg) 437'435 7.34 Liberal Party (FP) 420'524 7.06 Center Party 390'804 6.56 Sweden Democrats (SD) 339'610 5.70 Left Party (VP) 334'053 5.60 Christian Democrats (KD) 333'696 5.60 Distribution of seats Round no 1 Political Group Total of seats Gain/Loss Number of women Social Democratic Party (SAP) 112 -18 54 Moderate Party (M) 107 10 51 Green Party (Mpg) 25 6 14 Liberal Party (FP) 24 -4 10 Center Party 23 -6 7 Sweden Democrats (SD) 20 20 3 Left Party (VP) 19 -3 11 Christian Democrats (KD) 19 -5 7 Distribution of seats according to sex Men Women Percent of women 192 157 44.99% Distribution of seats according to age Below 20 years 21 to 30 years 31 to 40 years 41 to 50 years 51 to 60 years 61 to 70 years Over 70 years 1 25 71 108 109 33 2 Distribution of seats according to profession Others Education profession Journalism, broadcasting, media Economist Social worker Nursing Legal profession Trade union official Finance, management or business Civil service and local authority administration Home-maker, care-taker Agriculture/farming Armed services/Police Architect, surveyor, engineer Clerical, secretarial, administration Research/sciences Political party official Civil society activity Entrepreneur IT/technology Physician, dentist 153 29 17 15 15 14 14 14 13 11 9 8 7 5 5 4 4 4 3 3 2 Comments Sources: - Parliament (07.10.2010, 22.03.2011, 26.01.2012) - http://www.val.se/val/val2010/slutresultat/R/rike/index.html - http://www.val.se/val/val2010/alkon/R/rike/alderkon.html - http://www.val.se/in_english/index.html

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riksdagen / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral APPOINTMENT AND TERM OF OFFICE Title Speaker of the Riksdag Term - duration: 4 years (term of House) - reasons for interruption of the term: resignation, death Appointment - elected by all Members of the Riksdag - election is held at the first meeting of the new session - election is held after the Members ' mandate are validated Eligibility - any Member may be candidate - candidates are usually nominated by the group leaders at the meeting before the election Voting system - election is held by acclamation unless a Member asks for a formal vote by secret ballot - if a vote is held, absolute majority is required in the first two rounds and simple majority in the third round - no more than 3 rounds can be held and the third round is held between the two candidates having received the greatest number of votes in the second round Procedures / results - the most senior MP presides over the Riksdag during the voting - 5 MPs supervise the voting and the Secretary General counts the votes - the most senior MP announces the results without any delay - the results can be challenged by the Election Review Committee STATUS Status - the Speaker shall serve as temporary Regent when no other competent person in the Royal family can serve - represents the Riksdag with the public authorities together with the Secretary General and the administrative Director - is ex officio member of the Board of the National Day - is ex officio President of the Speaker's Conference, the Administrative Board and the War Delegation (limited Parliament in wartime) - in the absence of the Speaker, one of the three Deputy Speakers can assume his/her role and functions Board - the Speaker's Conference is regulated by the Standing Orders - consists of the Speaker, the three Deputy-Speakers (one from each party group with more than 4%) the Chairmen of the Committees, the Deputy Chairmen of the Administrative Board, for a term of 1 year - convenes once a month (from October to June) at the initiative of the Speaker - advises the Speaker - deliberates on measures to promote the methodical conduct of business - submits proposals to the Riksdag, can appoint commissions, recommends debates and rules Material facilities - salary and pension as the Prime Minister - same allowances as other MPs - expense allowance - small apartment in the Parliament building - official car - secretariat - body guards on request FUNCTIONS Organization of parliamentary business - convenes sessions - establishes and modifies the agenda - organizes the debates and sets speaking time - examines the admissibility of bills and amendments The Speaker's Conference and the Administrative Board - examine the admissibility of request for setting up committees and/or committees of enquiry, propose or decide on the setting up of such committees Chairing of public sittings - can open sittings - adjournment and closing are decided by the Chamber - ensures respect for provisions of the Constitution and Standing Orders - makes announcements concerning the Riksdag - takes disciplinary measures in the event of disturbance, and lifts such measures - establishes the list of speakers - gives and withdraws permission to speak according to the Standing Orders - gives and withdraws permission to speak according to the Standing Orders - establishes the order in which amendments are taken up - decides how a vote is to be carried out, verifies the voting procedure and cancels a vote in the event of irregularities - checks the quorum when it is required before voting on special matters, - authenticates the adopted texts - interprets the rules or other regulations governing the life of the Riksdag according to the Standing Orders Special powers - participates in the preparation of the budget submitted by the Board to the Riksdag, as the Chairman of the Administrative Board, - is involved in the recruitment, assignment and promotion of staff, as the Chairman of the Administrative Board - is involved in the organization of the services of Parliament, as the Chairman of the Administrative Board - plays a specific role in the conduct of foreign affairs or defence matters as an ex officio member of the Advisory Council for Foreign Affairs and as Chairman of the War Delegation (reduced Parliament in war time) - is responsible for relations with foreign Parliaments - is responsible for safety, and in this capacity, can call the police in the event of disturbance in the Chamber Speaking and voting rights, other functions - may refuse bills if they are not in conformity with the Constitution - decides the recess periods for the Riksdag - proposes a candidate to the Riksdag for the post of Prime Minister - may dismiss the Prime Minister and other Ministers after a vote of no confidence

Parliament name (generic / translated) Riksdagen / Parliament Structure of parliament Unicameral NATURE Nature of the mandate · Free representation (see Ch. 4, Art. 6 of the Instrument of Government (Constitution) of 1989) Start of the mandate · When the newly-elected Riksdag is convened (Ch. 3, Art. 5 (2) of the Instrument of Government) Validation of mandates · Validation by the Election Review Committee only in case of challenge (Ch. 3, Art. 11, and Ch. 4, Art. 7 (2) of the Instrument of Government, Ch. 1, Art. 5 (1) of the Riksdag Act) · Procedure End of the mandate · On the day when the Riksdag elected next convenes (Ch. 3, Art. 5 of the Instrument of Government), or in case of early dissolution (see Ch. 1, Art. 4 (2) of the Riksdag Act) Can MPs resign? Yes · Yes, of their own free will · Procedure (Ch. 4, Art. 7 (1) of the Instrument of Government, Ch. 1, Art. 10 of the Riksdag Act) · Authority competent to accept the resignation: the Riksdag Can MPs lose their mandate ? Yes (a) Loss of mandate for loss of eligibility/qualification (Ch. 3, Art. 11, and Ch. 4, Art. 7 (2) of the Instrument of Government, Ch. 1, Art. 5 (1) of the Riksdag Act; see Validation of mandates) (b) Loss of mandate by judicial decision (Ch. 4, Art. 7 (3) of the Instrument of Government) STATUS OF MEMBERS Rank in hierarchy · Diplomatic passport for the Speaker, Deputy Speakers and Members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, etc. Other MPs may hold service passports. · Basic salary (see also Ch. 9, Art. 6 of the Riksdag Act): SEK 29,500 per month (higher for Speaker, Deputy Speakers, committee chairmen and vice-chairmen) + Expense allowance: SEK 5,460 per month · No exemption from tax. Cost deduction for the expense allowance is possible. SEK 180-126 standard tax deduction for the daily subsistence allowance (see Travel and transport). · Pension scheme · Other facilities: (a) Secretariat/assistants (see also Ch. 9, Art. 1 to 5, and Art. 7 of the Riksdag Act) (b) Official housing (c) Official car for the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker (d) Postal and telephone services (e) Travel and transport (f) Others Indemnities, facilities and services · The concept does exist (Ch. 4, Art. 8 (1) of the Instrument of Government; see also the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression and the Freedom of the Press Act). · Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament. · Derogations: consent (waiver of immunity) by the Riksdag (Ch. 4, Art. 8 (1) of the Instrument of Government, Ch. 3, Art. 18 of the Riksdag Act); improper expressions, insult (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act; see Discipline) · Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate. Obligation to declare personal assets No Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary non-accountability · The concept does exist (Ch. 4, Art. 8 (1) of the Instrument of Government; see also the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression and the Freedom of the Press Act). · Parliamentary non-accountability is limited to words spoken or written by MPs and votes cast within Parliament. · Derogations: consent (waiver of immunity) by the Riksdag (Ch. 4, Art. 8 (1) of the Instrument of Government, Ch. 3, Art. 18 of the Riksdag Act); improper expressions, insult (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act; see Discipline) · Non-accountability takes effect on the day when the mandate begins and offers, after the expiry of the mandate, protection against prosecution for opinions expressed during the exercise of the mandate. Parliamentary immunity - parliamentary inviolability · The concept does exist (Ch. 4, Art. 8 (2) of the Instrument of Government). · It applies only to criminal proceedings and covers all offences with the exception of those crimes for which the minimum penalty is not less than two years' imprisonment. It protects MPs only from arrest, detention and remand. · Derogations: if the MP admits guilt or was caught in flagrante delicto, or if the minimum penalty for the crime is not less than two years' imprisonment, the relevant provisions of law relating to arrest, detention or remand are applicable. See also Loss of mandate by judicial decision. · Parliamentary inviolability does not prevent MPs from being called as witnesses before a judge or tribunal. · Protection is provided from the start to the end of the mandate. Since it does not cover judicial proceedings in general, it does not cover judicial proceedings instituted against MPs before their election. However, the protection against arrest, detention or remand during the mandate applies also to proceedings instituted against MPs before their election. · Parliamentary immunity (inviolability) cannot be lifted. · Parliament cannot subject the prosecution and/or detention to certain conditions. · Parliament cannot suspend the prosecution and/or detention of one of its members. · In the event of preventive custody or imprisonment, the MPs concerned cannot be authorised to attend sittings of Parliament. EXERCISE OF THE MANDATE Training · There is a training/initiation process on parliamentary practices and procedures for MPs. · It is provided by the Riksdag and by political parties. · There is no handbook of parliamentary procedure. Participation in the work of the Parliament · It is not compulsory for MPs to be present at plenary sittings, committee meetings, or other meetings (for leave of absence, see Ch. 1, Art. 8 of the Riksdag Act). · There are no penalties foreseen. Discipline · The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act. · Disciplinary measures foreseen: - Admonition (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act) - Withdrawal of the right to speak (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act) · Specific cases: - Improper expressions, insult (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act) · Competent body to judge such cases/to apply penalties: the Speaker · Procedure (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act) Code (rules) of conduct · This concept does not exist in the country's juridical system. Relations between MPs and pressure group · There are no legal provisions in this field.

This page was last updated on 8 February 2012
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