| 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 practice and procedure for MPs.
· It is provided by the Riksdag and political parties.
· There is no handbook on parliamentary procedure.
|
| Participation in the work of the Parliament |
· It is not compulsory for MPs to attend plenary sittings, committee meetings, or other meetings (for leave of absence, see Ch. 1, Art. 8 of the Riksdag Act).
· No penalties are envisaged.
|
| Discipline |
· The rules governing discipline within Parliament are contained in Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act.
· Disciplinary measures envisaged:
- Admonition (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act)
- Loss of right to speak (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act)
· Specific cases:
- Use of inappropriate or abusive language, insults (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act)
· Competent body for disciplinary charges/ penalties: the Speaker
· Procedure (Ch. 2, Art. 12 of the Riksdag Act)
|
| Code (rules) of conduct |
· A Code of Conduct for members of the Riksdag is in force since 1 January 2017. The Code describes the Riksdag as a key component of public power; it also states that members of the Riksdag are held to stringent standards in regard to judgement and conduct. The Code further states that members of the Riksdag shall work together in a democratic spirit and with mutual respect for one another in their everyday work in the Riksdag. The Code also states that in the exercise of their mandate, members of the Riksdag shall work to promote public interest and shall not use their position for personal gain. The Code emphasizes integrity, and states that members shall not engage in behaviour that could erode public confidence in the Riksdag. |
| Relations between MPs and pressure group |
· There are no legal provisions in this field. |
Compare data for parliamentary chambers in the Mandate module
