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'{{Multiple issues| {{update|date=August 2010}} {{refimprove|date=October 2010}} {{original research|date=October 2010}} }} {{Politics of Sweden}} '''Politics of Sweden''' takes place in a framework of a [[parliamentary system|parliamentary]] [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] [[constitutional monarchy]]. [[Executive power]] is exercised by the government, led by the [[Prime Minister of Sweden]]. [[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. <!-- formidabelt trams: Popular government in [[Sweden]] rests upon ancient traditions. The Swedish [[Riksdag]] stems from the ancient court system used by all Germanic peoples, the [[Thing (assembly)|Ting]], and the election of kings in the Viking age.-->Sweden has a typical Western [[Europe]]an history of democracy, beginning with the old [[Viking]] age [[Thing (assembly)|Ting]] electing kings, ending with a regular royal power in the 14th century, that in periods became more or less democratic depending on the general European trends. The current democratic regime is a product of a stable development of successively added democratic institutions introduced during the 19th century up to 1921, when women's suffrage was introduced. The [[Government of Sweden]] has adhered to [[parliamentarism]] — ''de jure'' since 1975, ''de facto'' since 1917. Since the [[Great Depression]], Swedish national politics has largely been dominated by the [[Social Democrats (Sweden)|Social Democratic Workers' Party]], which has held a plurality (and sometimes a majority) in parliament since 1917. == Constitution == {{main|Constitution of Sweden}} The Constitution of Sweden consists of four fundamental laws. The most important is the Instrument of Government of 1974 which sets out the basic principles of political life in Sweden, defining rights and freedoms. The Act of Succession is a treaty between the old [[Riksdag of the Estates]] and [[House of Bernadotte]] regulating their rights to accede to the Swedish throne. The four fundamental laws are: *[[Instrument of Government (1974)|Instrument of Government]] (1974) *[[Swedish Act of Succession|Act of Succession]] (1809) *[[Freedom of the Press Act (1766)|Freedom of the Press Act]] (1766) *[[Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (1991)|Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression]] (1991) EXPLOSION WOOOOAAAAAHHH == Executive branch == {{office-table}} |[[Monarch of Sweden|King]] |[[Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden|Carl XVI Gustaf]] | |15 September 1973 |- |[[Prime Minister of Sweden|Prime Minister]] |[[Stefan Löfven]] |[[Swedish Social Democratic Party|Social Democratic Party]] |3 October 2014 |} === Head of State === {{main|Monarch of Sweden}} * [[Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden|King Carl XVI Gustaf]] of the [[House of Bernadotte]] became king in 1973. His authority is formal, symbolic, and representational. * [[Heir apparent|Heiress apparent]] to the throne is [[Victoria, Crown Princess of Sweden|Crown Princess Victoria]] since 1980. === Head of Government === {{main|Prime Minister of Sweden}} * Following the general elections held on 26 September 2014, [[Stefan Löfven]] of the [[Swedish Social Democratic Party]] was elected [[Prime Minister of Sweden]] by the new parliament on 2 October. Together with the [[Green Party (Sweden)|Green Party]], Löfven presides over a minority government. * The [[Deputy Prime Minister of Sweden|Deputy Prime Minister]] is [[Åsa Romson]] of the [[Green Party (Sweden)|Green Party]].<ref>{{Citation | quote = Stefan Löfven (S) är ny statsminister i en minoritetsregering som består av Socialdemokraterna och Miljöpartiet. | language = sv | place = [[Sweden|SE]] | url = http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Start/Aktuellt/Riksdagen-rostar-om-forslaget-till-statsminister/ | title = Sverige har fått en ny regering | publisher = Riksdagen | date = Thursday the 2nd of October 2014}}.</ref> === Government === {{main|Government of Sweden}} The highest executive authority of the State is vested in the Government, which consists of a [[Prime Minister of Sweden|Prime Minister]] and roughly 22 Ministers who head the ministries. The Ministers are appointed at the sole discretion of the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is nominated by the [[Speaker of the Riksdag|Speaker]] and appointed following a vote in the Riksdag itself. The [[Monarchy of Sweden|Monarch]] plays no part in this process. The only way to get rid of a government is through a [[motion of no confidence]] (''misstroendevotum'') in the Riksdag. This motion must get a majority of the total amount of votes in the Riksdag (at least 175). Another example of the power the legislature has given the Government is the adoption of the budget in the Riksdag. The Government's proposition to budget is adopted, unless a majority of the members of the Riksdag vote against it. This to make it possible to govern even in minority. == Legislative branch == {{main|Riksdag}} The unicameral [[Riksdag]] has 349 members, popularly elected every 4 years. It is in session generally from September through mid-June. [[Image:Riksdagen June 2011.jpg|thumb|220px|The Riksdag in Stockholm]] [[Image:Riksdag assembly hall 2006.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Inside the Riksdag]] Legislation may be initiated by the [[Government of Sweden|Cabinet]] or by members of the Riksdag. Members are elected on the basis of [[proportional representation]] for a four-year term. The Riksdag can alter the [[Constitution of Sweden]], but only with approval by a [[supermajority]] and confirmation after the following general elections. The [[Swedish Social Democratic Party]] has played a leading political role since 1917, after [[Reformist]]s confirmed their strength and the [[Left Party (Sweden)|revolutionaries]] left the party. After 1932, the [[Government of Sweden|Cabinets]] have been dominated by the Social Democrats. Only five general elections (1976, 1979, 1991, 2006 and 2010) have given the centre-right bloc enough seats in the Riksdag to form a government. This is considered one reason for the Swedish post-war [[welfare state]], with a government expenditure of slightly more than 50% of the [[gross domestic product]]. == Political parties and elections == {{elect|List of political parties in Sweden|Elections in Sweden}} {{Main|Sweden general election, 2014}} {{Swedish general election, 2014}} == Judiciary == {{main|Judiciary of Sweden}} Swedish law, drawing on Germanic, Roman, and Anglo-American law, is neither as codified as in [[France]] and other countries influenced by the [[Napoleonic Code]], nor as dependent on judicial practice and precedents as in the [[United States]]. *''Courts'': Civil and criminal jurisdiction **[[Supreme Court of Sweden|Supreme Court]] or ''Högsta domstolen'' (literally ''The Highest Court'') **[[Courts of appeal in Sweden|Courts of appeal]] or ''[[Hovrätt]]er'' (literally ''Royal Court'') **[[District courts of Sweden|District courts]] or ''[[Tingsrätt]]er'' (literally ''Thing assembly Court'') *''Administrative Courts'': Litigation between the Public and the Government. **The [[Supreme Administrative Court of Sweden|Supreme Administrative Court]] or ''Regeringsrätten'' (literally ''Government/Regent Court'') **[[Administrative courts of appeal in Sweden|Administrative courts of appeal]] or ''Kammarrätter'' (literally ''Chamber Court'') **[[Administrative courts in Sweden|Administrative courts]] or ''Förvaltningsrätt'' (literally ''Administration Court'') *''Ombudsman'': **The [[Parliamentary Ombudsman]] or ''Justitieombudsmannen'' **The [[Chancellor of Justice]] or ''Justitiekanslern'' == Politicians == Sweden has a history of strong political involvement by ordinary people through its "popular movements" ([[Folkrörelser]] in Swedish), the most notable being [[trade unions]], the [[women's movement]], the [[temperance Movement in Sweden|temperance movement]], and — more recently — [[sports movement]]. Election turnout in Sweden has always been high in international comparisons, although it has declined in recent decades, and is around 82 percent (81.99 in [[Sweden general election, 2006]]). Some Swedish political figures that have become known worldwide include [[Joe Hill]], [[Carl Skoglund]], [[Raoul Wallenberg]], [[Folke Bernadotte]], [[Dag Hammarskjöld]], [[Olof Palme]], [[Carl Bildt]], [[Hans Blix]], and [[Anna Lindh]]. According to a survey investigation by the sociologist Jenny Hansson,<ref>{{cite web | language = sv | format = [[Portable document format|PDF]] | url = http://www8.umu.se/soc/personal/Jenny%20Hanssons%20avhandlingsarbete.%20Presentation%20samt%20.pdf | last =Hansson | first = Jenny | year = 2008 | title = De Folkvaldas Livsvillkor | place = Umea | publisher = Umea University}}</ref> Swedish national parliamentarians have an average work week of 66 hours, including side responsibilities. Hansson's investigation further reports that the average Swedish national parliamentarian sleeps 6.5 hours per night. == Administrative divisions == {{main|Counties of Sweden}} Sweden is divided into 21 counties. In each county there is a [[County Administrative Boards of Sweden|County Administrative Board]] and a [[County Councils of Sweden|County Council]]. Each county is also divided into several [[Municipalities of Sweden|Municipalities]], in total 289. [[Stockholm]] is the capital of Sweden. The [[King of Sweden|King]], the [[Riksdag]] and the [[Government of Sweden|Government]] have their permanent seat in [[Stockholm]]. Up to 1968 when the Overgovernor's Office was incorporated into [[Stockholm County]], it had a special status. == Energy politics == {{details |Nuclear power in Sweden}} After the [[1973 oil crisis]], the [[energy]] politics were determined to become less dependent on the import of [[petroleum]]. Since then, electricity has been generated mostly from [[hydropower]] and nuclear power. Sweden wants to be independent of petroleum use by 2020. The [[Three Mile Island accident]] ([[USA]]) prompted the [[Swedish parliament]] in 1980 after a [[referendum]] to decide that no further nuclear power plants should be built and that a [[nuclear power phase-out]] should be completed by 2010. {{As of |2005}}, the use of [[renewable energy|renewables]] amounted to 26% of the energy supply in Sweden, most important being [[hydroelectricity|hydropower]] and [[biomass]]. In 2003, electricity from hydropower accounted for 53 [[TWh]] and 40% of the country's production of [[electricity]] with nuclear power delivering 65 TWh (49%). At the same time, the use of [[biofuel]]s, [[peat]] etc. produced 13 TWh of electricity.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.scb.se/Pages/TableAndChart____24270.aspx | publisher = SCB | title = Figures about energy production and usage 1994–2003 | language = sv}}.</ref> Sweden is the highest ranked country in the Climate Change Performance Index.<ref>{{Citation | publisher = German watch | contribution-url = http://www.germanwatch.org/klima/ccpi09res.pdf | title = Klima | contribution = CCPI | year = 2009}}</ref> In March 2005, an opinion poll showed that 83% supported maintaining or increasing nuclear power.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.uic.com.au/nip39.htm | title = Nuclear Power in Sweden | publisher = Uranium Information Centre | place = Australia}}.</ref> Since then however, reports about radioactive leakages at a nuclear waste store in Forsmark, Sweden, have been published.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.forbes.com/finance/feeds/afx/2005/06/29/afx2116521.html | title = Swedish nuclear power station leaks high levels of radioactive waste into Baltic | newspaper = Forbes | date = June 29, 2005}}.</ref> This does not seem to have changed the public support of continued use of nuclear power. Following the recommendation of the 1980 referendum, [[:sv:Barsebäcks kärnkraftverk|two nuclear power reactors were closed by government decision in 1999 and 2005, respectively.]] However, in February 2009, the Swedish centre-right wing government announced that new nuclear power stations may be constructed if they replace old ones, thus ending the previous de facto phase out policy.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.world-nuclear-news.org/newsarticle.aspx?id=24606 | title = World nuclear news}}.</ref> == Foreign relations == {{main|Foreign relations of Sweden}} Throughout the 20th century, [[Swedish foreign policy]] was based on the principle of [[Non-Aligned Movement|non-alignment]] in peacetime, [[Neutral country|neutrality]] in wartime. This principle has often been criticised in Sweden, allegedly being a facade, claiming that the Swedish government had an advanced collaboration with western countries within [[NATO]]. During [[Cold War]] era politics, Sweden was not under the [[Warsaw Pact]] and received only minimal aid from the [[Marshall Plan]]. In 1952, a Swedish [[DC-3]] was [[Catalina affair|shot down]] over the Baltic Sea while gathering reconnaissance. It was later revealed that the plane had been shot down by the Soviet Union. Another plane, a [[PBY Catalina|Catalina]] [[search and rescue]] craft, was sent out a few days later and shot down by Soviets warplanes as well. Sweden was the first western nation to detect unusually high [[radiation]] levels in the atmosphere, which later was confirmed to have been the residual nuclear fallout from the [[Chernobyl disaster|Chernobyl accident]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} Sweden is also very active in international peace efforts, especially through the [[United Nations]], and in support to the [[Third World]].{{Citation needed|date=January 2012}} In 1995 Sweden, together with [[Finland]] and [[Austria]], joined the [[European Union]] which extended the number of member countries from 12 to 15. Membership and its issues are among the most important questions in Swedish politics. Apart from the European Union, Sweden is also an active member of the United Nations and several other organisations such as the [[Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development]] and [[International Monetary Fund]]. == See also == *[[Referendums in Sweden]] *[[List of political parties in Sweden]] *[[Swedish Armed Forces]] == References == {{Reflist|2}} == Further reading == *[[CIA World Factbook]]: [https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sw.html Sweden]. *[[United States Department of State]]: [http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2880.htm Sweden]. * {{Citation | first1 = Jan | last1 = Burck | first2 = Christoph | last2 = Bals | first3 = Marisa | last3 = Beck | first4 = Elisabeth | last4 = Rüthlein | title = Climate Change Performance Index 2008 | date = December 2007 | publisher = German watch | url = http://www.germanwatch.org/klima/ccpi2008.Pdf | format = PDF}}. * {{Citation | first = Jenny | last = Hansson | year = 2008 | title = Report on Swedish national parliamentarians' work hours, sleep and life satisfaction | contribution = De Folkvaldas Livsvillkor | place = SE | url = http://www8.umu.se/soc/personal/Jenny%20Hanssons%20avhandlingsarbete.%20Presentation%20samt%20.pdf | publisher = UMU | format = PDF | language = sv}}. == External links == *[http://www.sweden.gov.se/ The Government] *[http://www.riksdagen.se/ The Riksdag] *[http://www.royalcourt.se/ The Royal Court] *[http://www.regeringen.se/sb/d/9395 How Sweden is governed], Swedish Government * {{Citation | url = http://www.thelocal.se/guides/?to=swedish_election_sweden | title = Guide to the Swedish Election | year = 2006 | newspaper = [[The Local]]}}. {{Sweden topics}} {{Politics of Europe}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Politics Of Sweden}} [[Category:Politics of Sweden| ]]'