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The Riksdag and the government: who does what

The Riksdag makes the laws and decides the state budget. The government governs the realm and implements the Riksdag's decisions. A government stays in office as long as the Riksdag tolerates it.

MaktkartanPublished: Text updated:

Two different jobs

The Riksdag is the people's elected assembly of 349 members. It makes the laws, decides taxes and the state budget, and scrutinises the government. The government governs the realm: it leads the Government Offices and the state agencies, puts proposals to the Riksdag and carries out the decisions the Riksdag takes.

Sweden is a parliamentary democracy. The government is not elected directly by voters but installed by the Riksdag: the Speaker proposes a prime minister and the Riksdag votes. The proposal passes as long as no more than half the members vote against, that is at most 174 of 349.

From proposal to law

Most laws begin as a bill from the government, usually after a public inquiry and a consultation round. Members may also table private motions. The proposal is prepared in one of the Riksdag's committees, which issues a report proposing a decision. The chamber debates and votes, after which the government promulgates the law.

The Riksdag's power of scrutiny

The Riksdag scrutinises the government in several ways. Members put written questions and interpellations that ministers must answer. The Committee on the Constitution examines ministers' conduct every year. The National Audit Office audits state activity, and the Parliamentary Ombudsmen supervise public authorities.

The sharpest tool is a vote of no confidence. If at least 35 members request one, the chamber votes, and if 175 members or more vote in favour the minister must leave office. If the declaration is directed at the prime minister, the whole government resigns.

Agencies are governed collectively

Government decisions are taken by the government as a body, not by individual ministers. The government steers agencies through ordinances, appropriation directions and appointments, but may not intervene in how an agency decides an individual case concerning the exercise of public authority against a person or the application of law. This prohibition on ministerial rule is set out in the Instrument of Government.