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Four laws above the rest
Sweden has four fundamental laws. No other law may conflict with them, and they are harder to amend than ordinary law. The Riksdag Act holds an intermediate position: it regulates the Riksdag's working procedures and is amended in a manner close to that of the fundamental laws.
The Instrument of Government
The Instrument of Government is the central fundamental law. It opens with the statement that all public power in Sweden proceeds from the people, and it sets out how the Riksdag is elected, how a government takes office and resigns, how courts and public authorities are to work independently, and which rights and freedoms apply. The present Instrument of Government dates from 1974 and was substantially reformed in 2011.
The Act of Succession
The Act of Succession, from 1810, regulates who inherits the throne. Since the 1980 amendment, succession passes to the eldest child regardless of sex. Under the Instrument of Government the head of state has no political powers.
The Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression
The Freedom of the Press Act goes back to 1766 and applies to printed material. It contains the principle of public access to official documents and the right to communicate information to the media for publication. The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, from 1991, gives corresponding protection to radio, television, film and media other than print.
How a fundamental law is amended
Amending a fundamental law requires two identical decisions by the Riksdag with an ordinary general election in between. At least nine months must pass between the first decision and the election, unless the Committee on the Constitution grants an exception by a qualified majority. One tenth of the members may call for a referendum on the proposal, held at the same time as the election.
Compliance with law and fundamental law is tested by courts and public authorities through judicial review, and the Riksdag's Committee on the Constitution scrutinises the conduct of cabinet ministers. The Council on Legislation gives opinions on bills before the Riksdag decides.