THE PUBLIC SECTOR IN SWEDEN

The head of State

• Has no political power• Purely constitutional

King Carl XVI Gustaf

Sweden and Swedish democracy

the Constitution

• the Instrument of Government• the Act of Succession• the Freedom of the Press Act • the Fundamental Law on Freedom of

Expression

Levels of government

• National– The Swedish Parliament (Riksdag)

• Regional– County Council

• Local– Municipality

• European level– EU Parlament

Sweden and Swedish democracy

Elections every four years

• At parliamentary elections and municipal and county council

• Who are to decide how Sweden is governed and administered

Sweden and Swedish democracy

Who can vote?For The Swedish Parliament

• 18 years old• Swedish citizen• Registered as living in Sweden

Sweden and Swedish democracy

Who can vote? For Municipality and County Council

• 18 years old• Registered as living in Sweden• Citizen of any EU´s Member states,

Iceland or Norway and have been registered as living in Sweden at least 30 days

• Otherwise registered as living in Sweden for 3 years.

Sweden and Swedish democracy

National level

• The Riksdag (Swedish parliament) represents the people

• 349 members• Decisions are taken by vote

– Enacts laws– Decides on state income (taxes) and

spending– Scrutinises and checks the Government´s

and authorities´– Appoints the Prime Minister

Sweden and Swedish democracy

Regional level

• 18 counties• 2 regions

– Skåne – Västra Götaland

• Gotland has no counties – its tasks are carried out by Gotland Municipality

Sweden and Swedish democracy

The country and regional councils responsibilities

• Public health and medical care• Public dental health• Regional development

– Public transport– Culture– Support for industry and commerce– toursim

Sweden and Swedish democracy

Local level

• 290 municipalities– Pre-schools, secondary schools, upper-

secondary schools– Elderly care– Assistance to the funktionally impaired– Rescue services– Water and waste– Public libraries– Public transport

Sweden and Swedish democracy

Summary

• Sweden has four fundamental laws which together make up the Constitution

• Is a parliamentary democracy • The word democracy means that all

public power proceeds from the people • Sweden have four levels of government• whith general elections every four

years

www.sweden.gov.se