The Riksdag is the national legislature of Sweden. However, when it was founded in 1866 Sweden did not have a parliamentary system of government.
The national legislatures of Estonia and Finland are also called "Riksdag" in Swedish.
The precursor to the modern Riksdag was the Riksdag of the Estates (Swedish : Ståndsriksdagen). Of ancient origin in the Viking Things, the 1435 meeting in the city of Arboga is considered the first Riksdag, however only three of the estates were probably present the nobility, the clergy and the burghers. [1] [2] This informal representation was formalized in 1527 by King Gustav I of Sweden to include representatives of all the four estates, which historically reflected the lines of division in Swedish society: the nobility, the clergy, the burghers and the peasantry. This ingathering is considered the first formal parliament in Sweden. [2] In the 1540s, the word "Riksdag" was first used. [2] During the reign of Gustav I, the Riksdags were at time convened once every few years and for a short time, leaving them relatively weak and strengthening the power of the monarch. [2]
In the 17th century the Riksdag would approve the raising of troops and the imposition of taxes. [2] The Riksdag convened more frequently which consolidates and strengthened the political power of the representatives of the estates. [2] The Riksdag also began submitting petitions. Under the Carolingian autocracy, the Riksdag became a tool of the king who exercised more autocratic power. During the reign of Karl XI the Riksdag convened only two times. [2]
After the death of Karl XII in 1718, the Riksdag regained its influence, this was also aided by the fact that the council of the realm (composed of the nobility and kings) was viewed as responsible for the poor economic situation and "devastation" in Sweden. [2] From 1718 onwards, important decisions were taken by the Riksdag and the body began to convene for lengthy periods of time in order to discuss matters at hand. [2] When the Riksdag was not in session, the council of the realm, which functioned as the "government" at the time, controlled Sweden. [2] When the Riksdag convened it could issue punishments against members of the council if they deviated from the Riksdag's wishes. [2] The Riksdag's functioning began to resemble that of a parliamentary system. Two political camps began to emerge at this time: the caps and the hats. [2] in 1766, the Riksdag passed a law to guarantee freedom of press, this abolished censureship and allowed the general public to access information. [2] During the period known as the "age of freedom", from 1719 to 1772, when a decision was taken, each of the four estate was given one vote, necessitating three estates to support the implementation of a decision. [2] There were four estates at the time:
The Burghers had 100 representatives in the Riksdag. The peasantry had 150 representatives through county district courts. 500 nobles sat in Riksdag meetings while the clergy had 50 representatives. [2]
King Gustav III performed a coup d'état in 1772, ending the "age of freedom" and severely weakening the Riksdag while increasing his own power. [2]
Under the Instrument of Government of 1809 the Riksdag shared the powers of government with the king. [3] The instrument remained valid until 1974. [2] This new instrument took inspiration from the Swedish enlightenment in which division of power was a guiding principle as well as Swedish historical traditions. [2] In 1809 the Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsman was created, it is considered the first public complaints office in the world. [2] A committee of constitution was established which would oversee that the monarch complied to the constitution. [2]
On the basis of the 1863 electoral reform bill the Estates voted in 1866 to dissolve the Riksdag of the Estates and establish a new Riksdag. Thus the old estates system was abolished. [2] Most of the Riksday and the king were not interested at the time in "full democracy with universal and equal suffrage". [2] The new Riksdag was a political assembly with two chambers (bicameral) where the members were chosen in national elections. [2] A decision had to accepted by both chambers in order to pass. [2]
The major change in the reform was that citizens could participate and vote in the elections without regard to which Estate they had hitherto belonged; instead, there were new requirements on income or wealth, i.e. census suffrage. Despite the fundamental change in the principles of representation, the social composition of the Riksdag did not alter by much, and the system of government had not changed. In order to vote, one had to meet a set of qualifications. Swedes who did not provide taxes or were supported were not able to vote. Prisoners, the bankrupt and those who did not serve in the military and finish their service could not vote. [2] In order to be elected to the first chamber one had to be above the age of 35 and hold wealth, the elected received no pay. Those elected to the second chamber received a relatively small salary which meant they did not necessarily have to hold significant assets to hold office. [2] Those who possessed wealth had more votes for the First chamber while the votes to the Second chamber worked as one vote per man. [2] Under the Instrument of 1809 the Riksdag still divided the powers of government with the king.
From the second half of the 19th century, when the Riksdag was founded, until the early 20th century, Swedish society underwent fundamental changes that impacted on the political system. Political demands, but also sheer economic progress, increased the size of the electorate and the degree of political mobilization. This in turn also sponsored the emergence and growth of political parties. As such, the legislature became more assertive against royal authority, successfully asserting responsible government; a parliamentary system thus became de facto established; the king could not (or at least would not dare) keep a government in office against parliamentary objections.
Between 1907 and 1909, universal suffrage to Swedish men was granted. This was carried out under the government led by Arvid Lindman. All Swedish men above 24 could vote for the Second chamber without any of the prior qualifications involving them having to possess wealth or income. [4]
The last time the king attempted to assert himself in opposition to the Riksdag was the Courtyard Crisis of 1914, where King Gustav V delivered a partisan speech which precipitated the resignation of Prime Minister Karl Staaff and his government. [5] Though the outbreak of World War I kept the King's conservative government, headed by Hjalmar Hammarskjöld in office, [6] in the face of popular unrest (also resulting from food shortages) and a clear majority for the opposition Social Democrats and Liberals at the 1917 general election, the King reluctantly resolved to appoint a cabinet from the reform-minded majority in the Riksdag. [7] [4] The new government's main task was to present bills on constitutional reform.
In 2023, Micaela Edhager argued that courtyard crisis also reflected a confrontation between two different ideas of how Sweden's political system should be arranged, a monarchical one vs a parliamentary system. [5]
The franchise had been extended to all adult men in 1907; women's suffrage first came in the 1921 general election to the second chamber of the Riksdag. [8] In 1919, women as well as all other Swedes who were of age, were given the right to vote in elections for county and municipal councils. This reform affected the First chamber, as its members were chosen by the county councils. [4]
In the 1960s, debates intensified over constitutional reform in Sweden. The fundamental question was over the system of government. Even though a de facto parliamentary system was firmly established, somewhat similar to the situation in the United Kingdom, there were demands for a more democratic constitution. One of the main issues was whether the monarchy would survive constitutional reform and this blocked the issue for a long time. According to the old instrument of government from 1809, the monarch ruled the country despite the country having de facto transitioned to a parliamentary system. [9]
In 1945, Swedes above the age of voting who were in relief or aid schemes were not permitted to vote. [4]
Women first served as members of the Riksdag in 1922, however only in the 1960s did women's representation increase. Also, beginning in the 1960s they received more meaningful political appointments. [4]
Effective from 1970, a reform of the Riksdag had been agreed upon. Though not technically part of the constitution it showed that the parties in the Riksdag were able to agree upon fundamental changes of the political system, which transformed the Riksdag from a bicameral legislature into a unicameral one. [10] This would have 350 seats, all of which would be filled by direct election. [11] However, the second general election to the unicameral Riksdag only gave the government support from 175 members, while the opposition could mobilize an equal force of 175 members, resulting in what became known as the "lottery Riksdag", in which the Speaker had to draw lots to resolve deadlocked votes. [12] On 6 March 1974 it was passed in law that all public power in Sweden arises from the people. It was also decided that the Riskdag is the "foremost representative of the people". [9] In 1974, it was decided that the number of seats from 1977 were to be reduced to 349. The new instrument of government adopted in 1974 left the monarch as a ceremonial head of state without political power. [9] The new instrument of government read as follows: [9] “All public power in Sweden proceeds from the people. Swedish democracy is founded on the free formation of opinion and on universal and equal suffrage. It is realised through a representative and parliamentary form of government and through local self-government. Public power is exercised under the law.”
In 1974, a new Instrument of Government was established as a vital part of the Constitution and for the system of government. The monarchy was retained, whereas the monarch lost all formal political influence and became only a symbolic head of state. Several of the traditional head-of-state functions have instead been transferred to the Speaker of the Riksdag. [9]
In 1989, people who were deemed “legally incompetent” (at the time people suffering from mental illness or disabilities) were allowed to vote. [4] In order for a person to be eligible to vote for the Riksdag one must be a Swedish citizen and at the age of 18 or above. [2] Since 1994, the percentage of women in the Rikstag has fluctuated from 40 to 60 percent. [4]
Today, what is described as "fundamental laws" can be amended if the amendment is adopted in its exact wording by two parliaments (meaning a parliament before an election and the parliament after the election had both adopted the same amendment with the same exact wording). [9]
In modern politics, and history, a parliament is a legislative body of government. Generally, a modern parliament has three functions: representing the electorate, making laws, and overseeing the government via hearings and inquiries. The term is similar to the idea of a senate, synod or congress and is commonly used in countries that are current or former monarchies. Some contexts restrict the use of the word parliament to parliamentary systems, although it is also used to describe the legislature in some presidential systems, even where it is not in the official name.
The politics of Sweden take place in a framework of a parliamentary representative democratic constitutional monarchy. Executive power is exercised by the government, led by the Prime Minister. Legislative power is vested in both the government and parliament, elected within a multi-party system. The judiciary is independent, appointed by the government and employed until retirement. Sweden is formally a monarchy with a monarch holding symbolic power.
The Basic Laws of Sweden are the four constitutional laws of the Kingdom of Sweden that regulate the Swedish political system, acting in a similar manner to the constitutions of most countries.
The Riksdag is the legislature and the supreme decision-making body of the Kingdom of Sweden. Since 1971, the Riksdag has been a unicameral legislature with 349 members, elected proportionally and serving, since 1994, fixed four-year terms. The 2022 Swedish general election is the most recent general election.
The monarchy of Sweden is centred on the monarchical head of state of Sweden, by law a constitutional and hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary system. There have been kings in what now is the Kingdom of Sweden for more than a millennium. Originally an elective monarchy, it became a hereditary monarchy in the 16th century during the reign of Gustav Vasa, though virtually all monarchs before that belonged to a limited and small number of political families which are considered to be the royal dynasties of Sweden.
Riksdag of the Estates was the name used for the Estates of Sweden when they were assembled. Until its dissolution in 1866, the institution was the highest authority in Sweden next to the King. It was a Diet made up of the Four Estates, which historically were the lines of division in Swedish society:
The Council of the Realm, or simply The Council, was a cabinet of medieval origin, consisting of magnates which advised, and at times co-ruled with, the King of Sweden.
The prime ministerof Sweden is the head of government of the Kingdom of Sweden. The prime minister and their cabinet exercise executive authority in the Kingdom of Sweden and are subject to the Parliament of Sweden. The prime minister is nominated by the speaker of the Riksdag and is elected by the chamber by simple majority, using negative parliamentarianism. The Riksdag holds elections every four years, in the even year between leap years.
The 1809 Instrument of Government, adopted on 6 June 1809 by the Riksdag of the Estates and King Charles XIII, was the constitution of the Kingdom of Sweden from 1809 to the end of 1974. It came about as a result of the Coup of 1809, in which King Gustav IV Adolf was deposed. The promulgation of the constitution marks the point at which Sweden transitioned from the absolute monarchy of the Gustavian era into a stable, constitutional monarchy adhering to the rule of law and significant civil liberties.
The period following the accession of Oscar II to the throne of Sweden in 1872 was marked by political conflict. The Lantmanna Party, representing peasant proprietors, dominated the Lower House of parliament, and demanded tax reductions and reforms of the system of military service. The Upper House opposed these positions. A compromise was reached in 1884 with reduction in land taxes and increased periods of military service, processes that continued in later years.
The speaker of the Riksdag is the presiding officer of the national unicameral legislature in Sweden.
The estates of the realm, or three estates, were the broad orders of social hierarchy used in Christendom from the Middle Ages to early modern Europe. Different systems for dividing society members into estates developed and evolved over time.
The 1772 Instrument of Government was the constitution of the Kingdom of Sweden from 1772 to 1809. It was promulgated in the wake of the Revolution of 1772, a self-coup mounted by King Gustav III, and replaced the 1720 Instrument of Government, which had been in force for most of the Age of Liberty (1719-72). Although in theory the 1772 Instrument merely readjusted the balance of power between the Crown and the Riksdag of the Estates, without changing Sweden's status as a constitutional monarchy, in practice it is generally seen as instituting an absolute monarchy, especially after its modification in 1789 by the Union and Security Act, which further strengthened royal power at the expense of the Riksdag. It remained in force throughout the Gustavian era, until replaced by the 1809 Instrument of Government as a result of the Coup of 1809.
The Courtyard Crisis was a constitutional conflict between Sweden's King Gustaf V and the Liberal Prime Minister Karl Staaff.
Parliamentary Ombudsman is the name of the principal ombudsman institutions in Finland, Iceland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. In each case, the terms refer both to the office of the parliamentary ombudsman and to an individual ombudsman.
The Union between Sweden and Norway is an overriding theme of the history of Sweden in the 19th century. On 4 November 1814, the kingdoms of Sweden and Norway formed a personal union under one king. The two countries had completely separate institutions, except for the foreign service led by the king through the Swedish foreign minister.
The Government of the Kingdom of Sweden is the national cabinet of Sweden, and the country's executive authority.
The FreedomofthePressAct is one of four Fundamental Laws of the Realm and thus forms part of the Swedish Constitution. The Act regulates matters regarding freedom of press and principle of public access to official records. The Freedom of the Press Act as well as the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression is one of the two "basic media acts" in Sweden. The Freedom of the Press Act is derived from the Freedom of the Press Act of 1766; the legislation is regarded as the world's first law supporting the freedom of the press and freedom of information.
The 1720 Instrument of Government adopted on 2 May 1720 by the Riksdag of the Estates, was the constitution of the Kingdom of Sweden from 1720 to 1772, and was thus in force for almost the entirety of the period of constitutional monarchy known as the Age of Liberty, having replaced the largely identical Instrument of Government (1719).
General elections will be held in Sweden on 13 September 2026 to elect the 349 members of the Riksdag. They in turn will elect the prime minister. In case of a snap election, the parliamentary term would not be reset and general elections would still be held in September 2026 together with regional and municipal elections.
riksdag bicameral.