Sweden 1974 (rev. 2012) Subsequently amended

Everyone shall be guaranteed the following rights and freedoms in his or her relations with the public institutions:

• Freedom of expression, Freedom of opinion/thought/conscience
  freedom of expression: that is, the freedom to communicate information and express thoughts, opinions and sentiments, whether orally, pictorially, in writing, or in any other way;
  Right to information

  freedom of information: that is, the freedom to procure and receive information and otherwise acquaint oneself with the utterances of others;

  Freedom of assembly

  freedom of assembly: that is, the freedom to organise or attend meetings for the purposes of information or the expression of opinion or for any other similar purpose, or for the purpose of presenting artistic work;

  Freedom of assembly

  freedom to demonstrate: that is, the freedom to organise or take part in demonstrations in a public place;

  Freedom of association

  freedom of association: that is, the freedom to associate with others for public or private purposes; and

  Freedom of religion

  freedom of worship: that is, the freedom to practise one's religion alone or in the company of others.

The provisions of the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression shall apply concerning the freedom of the press and the corresponding freedom of expression on sound radio, television and certain similar transmissions, as well as in films, video recordings, sound recordings and other technical recordings.

The Freedom of the Press Act also contains provisions concerning the right of access to official documents.

No one shall in his or her relations with the public institutions be coerced to divulge an opinion in a political, religious, cultural or other such connection. Nor may anyone in his or her relations with the public institutions be coerced to participate in a meeting for the shaping of opinion or a demonstration or other manifestation of opinion, or to belong to a political association, religious community or other association for opinion referred to in sentence one.

No record in a public register concerning a Swedish citizen may be based without his or her consent solely on his or her political opinions.

There shall be no capital punishment.

Everyone shall be protected against corporal punishment. No one may be subjected to torture or medical intervention with the purpose of extorting or suppressing statements.

Everyone shall be protected in their relations with the public institutions against any physical violation also in cases other than cases under Articles 4 and 5. Everyone shall likewise be protected against body searches, house searches and other such invasions of privacy, against examination of mail or other confidential correspondence, and against eavesdropping and the recording of telephone conversations or other confidential communications.

In addition to what is laid down in paragraph one, everyone shall be protected in their relations with the public institutions against significant invasions of their personal privacy, if these occur without their consent and involve the surveillance or systematic monitoring of the individual's personal circumstances.

No Swedish citizen may be deported from or refused entry into the Realm.

No Swedish citizen who is domiciled in the Realm or who has previously been domiciled in the Realm may be deprived of his or her citizenship. It may however be prescribed that children under the age of eighteen shall have the same nationality as their parents or as one parent.

Everyone shall be protected in their relations with the public institutions against deprivations of personal liberty. All Swedish citizens shall also in other respects be guaranteed freedom of movement within the Realm and freedom to depart the Realm.

If a public authority other than a court of law has deprived an individual of his or her liberty on account of a criminal act or because he or she is suspected of having committed such an act, the individual shall be entitled to have the deprivation of liberty examined before a court of law without undue delay. This shall not, however, apply where the matter concerns the transfer to Sweden of responsibility for executing a penal sanction involving deprivation of liberty according to a sentence in another state.

Also those who for reasons other than those specified in paragraph one, have been taken forcibly into custody, shall likewise be entitled to have the matter of custody examined before a court of law without undue delay. In such a case, examination before a tribunal shall be equated with examination before a court of law, provided the composition of the tribunal has been laid down in law and it is stipulated that the chair of the tribunal shall be currently, or shall have been previously, a permanent salaried judge.

If examination has not been referred to an authority which is competent under paragraph one or two, such examination shall be undertaken by a court of general jurisdiction.

No one may be sentenced to a penalty or penal sanction for an act which was not subject to a penal sanction at the time it was committed. Nor may anyone be sentenced to a penal sanction which is more severe than that which was in force when the act was committed. The provisions laid down here with respect to penal sanctions also apply to forfeiture and other special legal effects of crime.

No taxes or charges due the State may be imposed except inasmuch as this follows from provisions which were in force when the circumstance arose which occasioned the liability for the tax or charge. Should the Riksdag find that special reasons so warrant, it may however lay down in law that taxes or charges due the State shall be imposed even though no such act had entered into force when the aforementioned circumstance arose, provided the Government, or a committee of the Riksdag, had submitted a proposal to this effect to the Riksdag at the time concerned. A written communication from the Government to the Riksdag announcing the forthcoming introduction of such a proposal is equated with a formal proposal. The Riksdag may furthermore prescribe that exceptions shall be made to the provisions of sentence one if it considers that this is warranted on special grounds connected with war, the danger of war, or grave economic crisis.

No court of law may be established on account of an act already committed, or for a particular dispute or otherwise for a particular case.

Legal proceedings are to be carried out fairly and within a reasonable period of time. Proceedings in courts of law shall be open to the public.

No act of law or other provision may imply the unfavourable treatment of anyone because they belong to a minority group by reason of ethnic origin, colour, or other similar circumstances or on account of their sexual orientation.

No act of law or other provision may imply the unfavourable treatment of anyone on grounds of gender, unless the provision forms part of efforts to promote equality between men and women or relates to compulsory military service or other equivalent official duties.

A trade union or an employer or employers' association shall be entitled to take industrial action unless otherwise provided in an act of law or under an agreement.

The property of every individual shall be so guaranteed that no one may be compelled by expropriation or other such disposition to surrender property to the public institutions or to a private subject, or tolerate restriction by the public institutions of the use of land or buildings, other than where necessary to satisfy pressing public interests.

A person who is compelled to surrender property by expropriation or other such disposition shall be guaranteed full compensation for his or her loss. Compensation shall also be guaranteed to a person whose use of land or buildings is restricted by the public institutions in such a manner that on-going land use in the affected part of the property is substantially impaired, or injury results which is significant in relation to the value of that part of the property. Compensation shall be determined according to principles laid down in law.

In the case of limitations on the use of land or buildings on grounds of protection of human health or the environment, or on grounds of safety, however, the rules laid down in law apply in the matter of entitlement to compensation.

Everyone shall have access to the natural environment in accordance with the right of public access, notwithstanding the above provisions.

Authors, artists and photographers shall own the rights to their works in accordance with rules laid down in law.

Limitations affecting the right to trade or practise a profession may be introduced only in order to protect pressing public interests and never solely in order to further the economic interests of a particular person or enterprise.

The right of the Sami population to practise reindeer husbandry is regulated in law.

All children covered by compulsory schooling shall be entitled to a free basic education in the public education system. The public institutions shall be responsible also for the provision of higher education.

The freedom of research is protected according to rules laid down in law.

No act of law or other provision may be adopted which contravenes Sweden's undertakings under the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

To the extent provided for in Articles 21 to 24, the following rights and freedoms may be limited in law:

1. Freedom of assembly, Freedom of expression, Freedom of association
   freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of assembly, freedom to demonstrate and freedom of association (Article 1, points 1 to 5);
2. Right to privacy, Regulation of evidence collection
   protection against any physical violation in cases other than cases under Articles 4 and 5, against body searches, house searches and other such invasions of privacy, against violations of confidential items of mail or communications and otherwise against violations involving surveillance and monitoring of the individual's personal circumstances (Article 6);
3. Freedom of movement
   freedom of movement (Article 8); and
4. Right to public trial
   public court proceedings (Article 11, paragraph two, sentence two).

With authority in law, the rights and freedoms referred to in paragraph one may be limited by other statute in cases under Chapter 8, Article 5, and in respect of prohibition of the disclosure of matters which have come to a person's knowledge in the performance of public or official duties. Freedom of assembly and freedom to demonstrate may similarly be limited also in cases under Article 24, paragraph one, sentence two.

The limitations referred to in Article 20 may be imposed only to satisfy a purpose acceptable in a democratic society. The limitation must never go beyond what is necessary with regard to the purpose which occasioned it, nor may it be carried so far as to constitute a threat to the free shaping of opinion as one of the fundaments of democracy. No limitation may be imposed solely on grounds of a political, religious, cultural or other such opinion.

A draft law under Article 20 shall be held in abeyance, unless rejected by the Riksdag, for a minimum of twelve months from the date on which the first Riksdag committee report on the proposal was submitted to the Chamber, if so moved by at least ten members. The Riksdag may, however, adopt the proposal directly if it has the support of at least five sixths of those voting.

Paragraph one shall not apply to any draft law prolonging the life of a law for a period not exceeding two years. Nor shall it apply to any draft law concerned only with:

1. prohibition of the disclosure of matters which have come to a person's knowledge in the performance of public or official duties, where secrecy is called for with regard to interests under Chapter 2, Article 2 of the Freedom of the Press Act;
2. house searches and similar invasions of privacy; or
3. deprivation of liberty as a penal sanction for a specific act. The Committee on the Constitution determines on behalf of the Riksdag whether paragraph one applies in respect of a particular draft law.

Freedom of expression and freedom of information may be limited with regard to the security of the Realm, the national supply of goods, public order and public safety, the good repute of the individual, the sanctity of private life, and the prevention and prosecution of crime. Freedom of expression may also be limited in business activities. Freedom of expression and freedom of information may otherwise be limited only where particularly important grounds so warrant.

In judging what limitations may be introduced in accordance with paragraph one, particular attention must be paid to the importance of the widest possible freedom of expression and freedom of information in political, religious, professional, scientific and cultural matters.

The adoption of provisions which regulate in more detail a particular manner of disseminating or receiving information, without regard to its content, shall not be deemed a limitation of the freedom of expression or the freedom of information.

Freedom of assembly and freedom to demonstrate may be limited in the interests of preserving public order and public safety at a meeting or demonstration, or with regard to the circulation of traffic. These freedoms may otherwise be limited only with regard to the security of the Realm or in order to combat an epidemic.

Freedom of association may be limited only in respect of organisations whose activities are of a military or quasi-military nature, or constitute persecution of a population group on grounds of ethnic origin, colour, or other such conditions.

For foreign nationals within the Realm, special limitations may be introduced to the following rights and freedoms:

1. freedom of expression, freedom of information, freedom of assembly, freedom to demonstrate, freedom of association and freedom of worship (Article 1, paragraph one);
2. protection against coercion to divulge an opinion (Article 2, sentence one);
3. protection against physical violations also in cases other than cases under Articles 4 and 5, against body searches, house searches and other such invasions of privacy, against violations of confidential items of mail or communications and otherwise against violations involving surveillance and monitoring of the individual's personal circumstances (Article 6);
4. protection against deprivation of liberty (Article 8, sentence one);
5. the right to have a deprivation of liberty other than a deprivation of liberty on account of a criminal act or on suspicion of having committed such an act examined before a court of law (Article 9, paragraphs two and three);
6. public court proceedings (Article 11, paragraph two, sentence two);
7. authors', artists' and photographers' rights to their works (Article 16);
8. the right to trade or practise a profession (Article 17);
9. the right to freedom of research (Article 18, paragraph two); and
10. protection against violations on grounds of an opinion (Article 21, sentence three).

The provisions of Article 22, paragraph one, paragraph two, sentence one and paragraph three shall apply with respect to the special limitations referred to in paragraph one.

The Riksdag is appointed by means of free, secret and direct elections.

Voting in such elections is by party, with an option for the voter to express a personal preference vote.

Party denotes any association or group of voters which runs for election under a particular designation.

The Riksdag consists of a single chamber comprising three hundred and forty-nine members. Alternates shall be appointed for members.

Ordinary elections to the Riksdag are held every four years.

Every Swedish citizen who is currently domiciled within the Realm or who has ever been domiciled within the Realm, and who has reached the age of eighteen, is entitled to vote in an election to the Riksdag.

Only a person who is entitled to vote may be a member or alternate member of the Riksdag.

The question of whether a person has the right to vote is determined on the basis of an electoral roll drawn up prior to the election.

The Realm is divided up into constituencies for the purpose of elections to the Riksdag.

Of the seats in the Riksdag, 310 are fixed constituency seats and 39 are adjustment seats.

The fixed constituency seats are distributed among the constituencies on the basis of a calculation of the relationship between the number of persons entitled to vote in each constituency, and the total number of persons entitled to vote throughout the whole of the Realm. The distribution of seats among the constituencies is determined for four years at a time.

The seats are distributed among parties.

Only parties which receive at least four per cent of the votes cast throughout the Realm may share in the distribution of seats. A party receiving fewer votes, however, participates in the distribution of the fixed constituency seats in a constituency in which it receives at least twelve per cent of the votes cast.

The fixed constituency seats in each constituency are distributed proportionately among the parties on the basis of the election result in that constituency.

The adjustment seats are distributed among the parties in such a way that the distribution of all the seats in the Riksdag, other than those fixed constituency seats which have been allocated to a party polling less than four per cent of the national vote, is in proportion to the total number of votes cast throughout the Realm for the respective parties participating in the distribution of seats. If, in the distribution of the fixed constituency seats, a party obtains seats which exceed the number corresponding to the proportional representation of that party in the Riksdag, then that party and the fixed constituency seats which it has obtained are disregarded in distributing the adjustment seats. The adjustment seats are allocated to constituencies after they have been distributed among the parties.

The odd-number method is used to distribute the seats among the parties, with the first divisor adjusted to 1.4.

One member is appointed for each seat a party obtains, together with an alternate for that member.

Each election is valid for the period from the date on which the newly-elected Riksdag convenes to the date on which the Riksdag elected next thereafter convenes.

The newly-elected Riksdag convenes on the fifteenth day following election day but no sooner than the fourth day after the result of the election has been declared.

The Government may decide that an extraordinary election to the Riksdag is to be held between ordinary elections. An extraordinary election is held within three months from the decision.

After an election to the Riksdag has been held, the Government may not hold an extraordinary election until three months from the date on which the newly-elected Riksdag first convened. Neither may the Government decide to hold an extraordinary election while ministers remain at their posts, after all have been formally discharged, pending assumption of office by a new Government.

Rules concerning an extraordinary election in a particular case are laid down in Chapter 6, Article 5.

Appeals against elections to the Riksdag shall be lodged with an Election Review Board appointed by the Riksdag. There is no right of appeal against a decision of the Board.

A person who has been elected a member of the Riksdag exercises his or her mandate even if the election result has been appealed. If the result of the election is revised, a new member takes his or her seat immediately after the revised result has been declared. This applies in a similar manner to alternate members.

The Election Review Board consists of a chair, who is currently, or has been previously, a permanent salaried judge and who may not be a member of the Riksdag, and six other members. The members are elected after each ordinary election, as soon as the result of the election becomes final, and serve until a new election for the Board is held. The chair is elected separately.

Further rules concerning matters under Article 1, paragraph three and Articles 3 to 12 and concerning the appointment of alternates for members of the Riksdag are laid down in the Riksdag Act or elsewhere in law.

The Riksdag convenes in session every year. Sessions are held in Stockholm, unless otherwise determined by the Riksdag or the Speaker, with regard to the liberty or safety of parliament.

The Riksdag elects a Speaker and First, Second, and Third Deputy Speakers from among its members for each electoral period.

The Riksdag elects committees from among its members in accordance with rules laid down in the Riksdag Act. These shall include a Committee on the Constitution and a Committee on Finance.

The Government and every member of the Riksdag has the right to introduce proposals on any matter coming within the jurisdiction of the Riksdag, in accordance with provisions laid down in the Riksdag Act, unless otherwise provided in the present Instrument of Government.

Any matter raised by the Government or by a member of the Riksdag shall be prepared by a committee before it is settled, unless otherwise provided in the present Instrument of Government.

When a matter comes up for decision in the Chamber, every member of the Riksdag and every minister has the right to speak in accordance with more detailed rules laid down in the Riksdag Act.

Rules concerning grounds for disqualification are also laid down in the Riksdag Act.

When a vote is taken in the Chamber, the opinion supported by more than half of those voting constitutes the decision of the Riksdag, unless otherwise provided in the present Instrument of Government or, in the case of matters relating to Riksdag procedure, in a principal provision of the Riksdag Act. Rules concerning the procedure to be followed in the event of a tied vote are laid down in the Riksdag Act.

Each committee follows up and evaluates decisions of the Riksdag within the committee's subject area.

Meetings of the Chamber are open to the public. A meeting may, nevertheless, be held behind closed doors in accordance with rules laid down in the Riksdag Act.

Members of the Riksdag or alternates for such members may exercise their mandate as members notwithstanding any official duty or other similar obligation.

Members of the Riksdag or alternates for such members may not resign their mandate without the Riksdag's consent.

Where there are grounds, the Election Review Board shall examine on its own initiative whether a particular member or an alternate is eligible under Chapter 3, Article 4, paragraph two. A person pronounced to be ineligible is thereby deprived of his or her mandate.

Members or alternates may be deprived of their mandate in cases other than cases under paragraph two only if they have proved themselves manifestly unfit to hold a mandate by reason of a criminal act. A decision in such a case shall be taken by a court of law.

Legal proceedings may not be initiated against a person who holds a mandate as a member of the Riksdag, or who has held such a mandate, on account of a statement or an act made in the exercise of his or her mandate, unless the Riksdag has given its consent thereto in a decision supported by at least five sixths of those voting.

Nor may such a person be deprived of his or her liberty, or restricted from travelling within the Realm, on account of an act or statement made in the exercise of his or her mandate, unless the Riksdag has given such consent thereto.

If, in any other case, a member of the Riksdag is suspected of having committed a criminal act, the relevant legal provisions concerning apprehension, arrest or detention are applied only if he or she admits guilt or was caught in the act, or the minimum penalty for the offence is imprisonment for two years.

During such time as a member is acting as Speaker of the Riksdag or is a member of the Government, his or her mandate as a member shall be exercised by an alternate. The Riksdag may stipulate in the Riksdag Act that an alternate shall replace a member when he or she is on leave of absence.

The rules laid down in Articles 10 and 12, paragraph one also apply to the Speaker and the Speaker's mandate.

The rules relating to a member of the Riksdag apply also to an alternate exercising a mandate as a member.

Further rules concerning the work of the Riksdag are laid down in the Riksdag Act.

The Government consists of the Prime Minister and other ministers.

The Prime Minister is appointed in accordance with the rules laid down in Articles 4 to 6. The Prime Minister appoints the other ministers.

The ministers must be Swedish citizens. A minister may not have any other employment. Neither may he or she hold any appointment or engage in any activity which might impair public confidence in him or her.

No later than two weeks after it has convened, a newly- elected Riksdag shall determine by means of a vote whether the Prime Minister has sufficient support in the Riksdag. If more than half of the members of the Riksdag vote no, the Prime Minister shall be discharged. No vote shall be held if the Prime Minister has already been discharged.

When a Prime Minister is to be appointed, the Speaker summons for consultation representatives from each party group in the Riksdag. The Speaker confers with the Deputy Speakers before presenting a proposal to the Riksdag. The Riksdag shall vote on the proposal within four days, without prior preparation in committee. If more than half the members of the Riksdag vote against the proposal, it is rejected. In any other case, it is adopted.

If the Riksdag rejects the Speaker's proposal, the procedure laid down in Article 4 is repeated. If the Riksdag rejects the Speaker's proposal four times, the procedure for appointing a Prime Minister is abandoned and resumed only after an election to the Riksdag has been held. If no ordinary election is due in any case to be held within three months, an extraordinary election shall be held within the same space of time.

When the Riksdag has approved a proposal for a new Prime Minister, the Prime Minister shall inform the Riksdag as soon as possible of the names of the ministers. Government changes hands thereafter at a Council of State before the Head of State or, in his or her absence, before the Speaker. The Speaker is always summoned to attend such a Council.

The Speaker issues a letter of appointment for the Prime Minister on the Riksdag's behalf.

If the Riksdag declares that the Prime Minister, or a member of his or her Government, no longer has its confidence, the Speaker shall discharge the minister concerned. However, if the Government is in a position to order an extraordinary election to the Riksdag and does so within one week from a declaration of no confidence, the minister shall not be discharged.

Rules concerning discharge of the Prime Minister following a vote on the Prime Minister after an election are laid down in Article 3.

A minister shall be discharged if he or she so requests; in such a case the Prime Minister is discharged by the Speaker, and any other minister by the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister may also discharge any other minister in other circumstances.

If the Prime Minister is discharged or dies, the Speaker discharges the other ministers.

The Prime Minister may appoint one of the other ministers to deputise for him or her in case of absence. If no such deputy has been appointed, or if he or she is also unable to perform the duties of Prime Minister, these duties are assumed by the minister among those currently in office who has been a minister longest. When two or more ministers have been ministers for an equal period of time, the minister who is senior in age has precedence.

If all the members of the Government have been discharged, they remain at their posts until a new Government has assumed office. If a minister other than the Prime Minister has been discharged at his or her own request, he or she remains at his or her post until a successor has assumed office, should the Prime Minister so request.

In the absence of the Speaker, a Deputy Speaker shall assume the duties of the Speaker under the present Chapter.

Government offices shall exist for the preparation of Government business and to assist the Government and ministers in their other duties. The Government Offices include ministries for different areas of activity. The Government divides business between ministries. The Prime Minister appoints the heads of the ministries from among the ministers.

In preparing Government business the necessary information and opinions shall be obtained from the public authorities concerned. Information and opinions shall be obtained from local authorities as necessary. Organisations and individuals shall also be given an opportunity to express an opinion as necessary.

Government business is settled by the Government at Government meetings. Government business relating to the implementation within the armed forces of statutes or special Government decisions may however be approved by the head of the ministry responsible for such matters, under the supervision of the Prime Minister and to the extent laid down in law.

The Prime Minister summons the other ministers to attend Government meetings and presides at such meetings. A Government meeting shall be attended by at least five members.

At a Government meeting, the head of a ministry presents business belonging to his or her ministry. The Prime Minister may, however, prescribe that a matter or group of matters belonging to a particular ministry shall be presented by a minister other than the head of the ministry concerned.

A record shall be kept of Government meetings. Dissenting opinions shall be entered in the record.

Statutes, proposals to the Riksdag, and other Government decisions to be dispatched are only valid when signed by the Prime Minister or another minister on behalf of the Government. The Government may, however, prescribe in an ordinance that an official may, in a particular case, sign a Government decision to be dispatched.

Provisions are adopted by the Riksdag by means of an act of law and by the Government by means of an ordinance.

The Riksdag or the Government may also authorise other authorities besides the Government and local authorities to adopt provisions. Authorisation to adopt provisions shall always be laid down in an act of law or an ordinance.

Provisions concerning the following shall be adopted by means of an act of law:

1. the personal status or mutual personal and economic relations of individuals;
2. relations between individuals and the public institutions which relate to the obligations of individuals, or which otherwise encroach on their personal or economic circumstances;
3. Municipal government
   principles governing the organisation and working procedures of local authorities and local taxation, as well as the competence of local authorities in other respects, and their responsibilities;
4. religious communities and the principles on which the Church of Sweden as a religious community is based;
5. Referenda
   the holding of a consultative referendum throughout the Realm and the procedure for holding a referendum on a matter of fundamental law; and
6. Regional group(s)
   elections to the European Parliament.

It also follows from other rules laid down in the present Instrument of Government and other fundamental laws that provisions with a certain content shall be adopted by means of an act of law.

The Riksdag may authorise the Government to adopt provisions in accordance with Article 2, paragraph one, points 2 and 3. The provisions may not, however, relate to:

1. legal effects of criminal acts other than the imposition of fines;
2. taxes other than customs duties on the importation of goods; or
3. bankruptcy or enforcement.

The Riksdag may prescribe legal effects other than fines for contraventions of provisions laid down by the Government in an act of law granting authority under paragraph one.

The Riksdag may authorise the Government to adopt provisions in accordance with Article 2, paragraph one, points 1 to 3, concerning the granting of respites for the meeting of obligations.

In an act of law, the Riksdag may authorise the Government to adopt provisions on:

1. when the act of law shall come into force;
2. when parts of the law shall come into force or cease to apply; and
3. application of the law in relation to another country or an intergovernmental organisation.

Provisions adopted by the Government by virtue of authorisation under the present Instrument of Government shall be submitted to the Riksdag for examination, should the Riksdag so decide.

In addition to what follows from Articles 3 to 5, the Government may adopt:

1. provisions relating to the implementation of laws; and
2. provisions which do not require adoption by the Riksdag under fundamental law.

The Government may not by virtue of paragraph one adopt provisions which relate to the Riksdag or authorities under the Riksdag. Nor may the Government by virtue of paragraph one, point 2, adopt provisions which relate to local taxation.

The powers conferred on the Government to adopt provisions in a particular matter do not preclude the Riksdag from adopting provisions in the same matter in an act of law.

The Riksdag may authorise a local authority to adopt provisions in accordance with Article 2, paragraph one, point 2 if the provisions concern:

1. charges; or
2. taxes designed to regulate traffic conditions in the local authority.

Where, under the present Chapter, the Riksdag authorises the Government to adopt provisions in a particular matter, the Riksdag may also authorise the Government to delegate the power to adopt regulations in the matter to an administrative authority or a local authority.

The Government may authorise an authority under the Government or an authority under the Riksdag to adopt provisions in accordance with Article 7. Such an authorisation to an authority under the Riksdag may not, however, relate to the internal affairs of the Riksdag or its authorities.

Provisions adopted by an authority under the Government by virtue of an authorisation in accordance with Article 10 or 11 shall be submitted to the Government for examination, should the Government so decide.

The Riksdag may direct the Riksbank in an act of law to adopt provisions coming within its remit under Chapter 9 and concerning its duty to promote a secure and efficient payments system. The Riksdag may authorise an authority under the Riksdag to adopt provisions that relate to the internal affairs of the Riksdag or its authorities.

Fundamental law is enacted by means of two decisions of identical wording. With the first decision, the proposal for the enactment of fundamental law is adopted as being held in abeyance. The second decision may not be taken until elections to the Riksdag have been held throughout the Realm following the first decision, and the newly-elected Riksdag has convened. At least nine months shall elapse between the first submission of the matter to the Chamber of the Riksdag and the date of the election, unless the Committee on the Constitution grants an exception. Such a decision is to be taken no later than the committee stage, and at least five sixths of the members must vote in favour of the decision.

The Riksdag may not adopt as a decision held in abeyance over an election a proposal for the enactment of fundamental law which conflicts with any other proposal concerning fundamental law currently being held in abeyance, unless at the same time it rejects the proposal first adopted.

A referendum shall be held on a proposal concerning fundamental law which is held in abeyance over an election, on a motion to this effect by at least one tenth of the members, provided at least one third of the members vote in favour of the motion. Such a motion must be put forward within fifteen days from the date on which the Riksdag adopted the proposal to be held in abeyance. The motion shall not be referred for preparation in committee. The referendum shall be held simultaneously with the election referred to in Article 14.

In the referendum, all those entitled to vote in the election are entitled to state whether or not they accept the proposal on fundamental law which is being held in abeyance. The proposal is rejected if a majority of those taking part in the referendum vote against it, and if the number of those voting against exceeds half the number of those who registered a valid vote in the election. In other cases the proposal goes forward to the Riksdag for final consideration.

The Riksdag Act is enacted as prescribed in Article 14, sentences one to three, and Article 15. It may also be enacted by means of a single decision, provided at least three fourths of those voting and more than half the members of the Riksdag vote in favour of the decision.

Supplementary provisions of the Riksdag Act are however adopted in the same manner as ordinary law. The provisions of paragraph one also apply to the adoption of an act of law under Article 2, paragraph one, point 4.

No law may be amended or abrogated other than by an act of law. Articles 14 to 17 apply with respect to amendment or abrogation of fundamental law or of the Riksdag Act. Article 17, paragraph one is applied in the case of amendment or abrogation of an act of law under Article 2, paragraph one, point 4.

An act of law which has been adopted shall be promulgated by the Government as soon as possible. An act of law containing provisions relating to the Riksdag or authorities under the Riksdag which is not to be incorporated in fundamental law or in the Riksdag Act, may however be promulgated by the Riksdag. Acts of law shall be published as soon as possible. The same applies to ordinances, unless otherwise laid down in law.

There shall be a Council on Legislation which includes justices, or, where necessary, former justices of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court, to pronounce an opinion on draft legislation. More detailed rules concerning the composition and working procedures of the Council on Legislation are laid down in law.

The opinion of the Council on Legislation is obtained by the Government or, under more detailed rules laid down in the Riksdag Act, by a committee of the Riksdag. The opinion of the Council on Legislation should be obtained before the Riksdag takes a decision on:

1. Constitution amendment procedure
   fundamental law relating to the freedom of the press or the corresponding freedom of expression on sound radio, television and certain similar transmissions, public performances taken from a database and technical recordings;
2. an act of law limiting the right of access to official documents;
3. an act of law under Chapter 2, Articles 14 to 16, 20, or 25;
4. an act of law relating to the fully or partially automatic processing of personal data;
5. an act of law relating to local taxation or an act of law involving the obligations of local authorities;
6. an act of law under Article 2, paragraph one, points 1 or 2 or an act of law under Chapter 11 or 12; or
7. an act of law amending or abrogating an act of law under Articles 1 to 6.

The provisions under paragraph two do not however apply if the Council on Legislation's examination would lack significance due to the nature of the matter, or would delay the handling of legislation in such a way that serious detriment would result.

If the Government submits a proposal to the Riksdag for the adoption of an act of law in any matter referred to in paragraph two, and there has been no prior consultation of the Council on Legislation, the Government shall at the same time inform the Riksdag of the reason for the omission. Failure to obtain the opinion of the Council on Legislation on a draft law never constitutes an obstacle to application of the law. The Council shall examine:

1. the manner in which the draft law relates to the fundamental laws and the legal system in general;
2. the manner in which the various provisions of the draft law relate to one another;
3. the manner in which the draft law relates to the requirements of the rule of law;
4. whether the draft law is so framed that the resulting act of law may be expected to satisfy the stated purposes of the proposed law; and
5. any problems that may arise in applying the act of law.

The Riksdag determines taxes and charges due the State, and approves the national budget.

The Government submits a budget bill to the Riksdag.

The Riksdag approves a national budget for the following budget year or, if special reasons so warrant, for some other budgetary period. In this connection, the Riksdag determines estimates of State revenue and appropriations for specific purposes.

The Riksdag may decide that a particular appropriation shall be made for a period other than the budgetary period. The Riksdag may decide that State revenue may be used for specific purposes by means other than a decision concerning an appropriation.

During the budgetary period, the Riksdag may decide to revise its State revenue estimates, alter appropriations already approved, or approve new appropriations.

If the national budget is not approved before the start of the budgetary period, the Riksdag makes appropriations as required to cover the period until a budget is adopted. The Riksdag may authorise the Committee on Finance to make such a decision on behalf of the Riksdag.

If, under paragraph one, the Riksdag has not approved appropriations for a specific purpose, the most recent national budget, with amendments consistent with other decisions made by the Riksdag, shall apply until these appropriations have been approved.

The Riksdag may determine guidelines for activities of the State also covering a period exceeding the forthcoming budgetary period.

Appropriations and revenue may not be used in ways not approved by the Riksdag.

State assets are at the disposal of and administered by the Government, in so far as these are not intended for authorities under the Riksdag, or have been set aside in law for special administration.

The Government may not take up loans or otherwise assume financial obligations on behalf of the State unless authorised by the Riksdag.

The Riksdag decides the principles for the administration and disposition of State assets. The Riksdag may also decide that measures of a particular nature may not be taken without its consent.

After the end of the budgetary period, the Government submits an annual report for the State to the Riksdag.

Further provisions concerning the competence and responsibilities of the Riksdag and the Government in respect of the national budget are laid down in the Riksdag Act and separate legislation.

The Government is responsible for general currency policy matters. Other provisions concerning currency policy are laid down in law.

The Riksbank is the central bank of the Realm and an authority under the Riksdag. The Riksbank is responsible for monetary policy. No public authority may determine how the Riksbank shall decide in matters of monetary policy.

The Riksbank has a General Council comprising eleven members, who are elected by the Riksdag. The Riksbank is under the direction of an Executive Board appointed by the General Council.

The Riksdag examines whether the members of the General Council and the Executive Board shall be granted discharge from liability. If the Riksdag refuses a member of the General Council discharge from liability he or she is thus severed from his or her appointment. The General Council may only dismiss a member of the Executive Board if he or she no longer fulfils the requirements laid down for the performance of his or her duties, or is guilty of gross negligence.

Provisions concerning elections to the General Council and concerning the management and activities of the Riksbank are laid down in law.

The Riksbank alone has the right to issue banknotes and coins. Further provisions concerning the monetary and payments systems are laid down in law.

Agreements with other states or with international organisations are concluded by the Government.

The Government may instruct an administrative authority to conclude an international agreement in a matter in which the agreement does not require the participation of the Riksdag or the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs.

The Riksdag's approval is required before the Government concludes an international agreement which is binding upon the Realm:

1. if the agreement requires the amendment or abrogation of an act of law or the enactment of a new act of law; or
2. if it otherwise concerns a matter to be decided by the Riksdag.

If, in a case under paragraph one, points 1 or 2, a special procedure has been prescribed for the required Riksdag decision, the same procedure shall be applied in approving the agreement.

The Riksdag's approval is also required in cases other those under paragraph one, before the Government concludes an international agreement which is binding upon the Realm, if the agreement is of major significance. The Government may however act without obtaining the Riksdag's approval if the interests of the Realm so require. In such a case the Government shall instead confer with the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs before concluding the agreement.

The Riksdag may approve an agreement under Article 3 which is concluded within the framework of European Union cooperation, even if the agreement does not exist in final form.

The rules laid down in Articles 1 to 4 apply in a similar manner to the commitment of the Realm to an international obligation in a form other than an agreement, and to the denunciation of an international agreement or obligation.

Within the framework of European Union cooperation, the Riksdag may transfer decision-making authority which does not affect the basic principles by which Sweden is governed. Such transfer presupposes that protection for rights and freedoms in the field of cooperation to which the transfer relates corresponds to that afforded under this Instrument of Government and the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms.

The Riksdag may approve a transfer of authority, provided at least three fourths of those voting and more than half the members of the Riksdag vote in favour of the decision. The Riksdag's decision may also be taken in accordance with the procedure prescribed for the enactment of fundamental law. Such a transfer cannot be decided until the Riksdag has approved the agreement under Article 3.

Decision-making authority which is directly based on the present Instrument of Government and which relates to the laying down of provisions, the use of assets of the State, tasks connected with judicial or administrative functions, or the conclusion or denunciation of an international agreement or obligation may, in cases other than those under Article 6, be transferred to a limited extent, to an international organisation for peaceful cooperation of which Sweden is a member, or is about to become a member, or to an international court of law.

Decision-making authority relating to matters concerning the enactment, amendment or abrogation of fundamental law, the Riksdag Act or a law on elections to the Riksdag, or relating to the restriction of any of the rights and freedoms referred to in Chapter 2 may not transferred under paragraph one.

A Riksdag decision in the matter of such transfer is taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6, paragraph two.

Any judicial or administrative function not directly based on this Instrument of Government may be transferred, in cases other than those under Article 6, to another state, international organisation, or foreign or international institution or community by means of a decision of the Riksdag. The Riksdag may authorise the Government or other public authority in law to approve such transfer of functions in particular cases.

Where the function concerned involves the exercise of public authority, the Riksdag's decision in the matter of such transfer or authorisation is taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6, paragraph two.

If it has been laid down in law that an international agreement shall have validity as Swedish law, the Riksdag may prescribe that any future amendment which is binding upon the Realm shall also have validity as Swedish law. Such a decision relates only to a future amendment of limited extent. The decision is taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 6, paragraph two.

Right of the Riksdag to information and consultation on European Union cooperation

The Government shall keep the Riksdag continuously informed and consult bodies appointed by the Riksdag concerning developments within the framework of European Union cooperation. More detailed rules concerning the obligation to inform and consult are laid down in the Riksdag Act.

The Government shall keep the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs continuously informed of those matters relating to foreign relations which may be of significance for the Realm, and shall confer with the Council concerning these matters as necessary. In all foreign policy matters of major significance, the Government shall confer with the Council, if possible, before making its decision.

The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs consists of the Speaker and nine other members elected by the Riksdag from among its members. More detailed rules concerning the composition of the Council are laid down in the Riksdag Act.

The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs is convened by the Government. The Government is obliged to convene the Council if at least four members of the Council request consultations on a particular matter. Meetings of the Council are presided over by the Head of State or, in his or her absence, by the Prime Minister.

A member of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs and any person otherwise associated with the Council shall exercise caution in communicating to others matters which have come to his or her knowledge in this capacity. The person presiding over a meeting of the Council may rule that a duty of confidentiality shall apply unconditionally.

The head of the ministry responsible for foreign affairs shall be kept informed whenever a matter arises at another State authority which has significance for relations with another state or an international organisation.

The provisions laid down in Chapter 2, Article 7, Chapter 4, Article 12, Chapter 5, Article 8, Chapter 11, Article 8 and Chapter 13, Article 3 do not prevent Sweden from fulfilling its commitments under the Rome Statute for the International Criminal Court or in relation to other international criminal courts.

The Supreme Court, the courts of appeal and the district courts are courts of general jurisdiction. The Supreme Administrative Court, the administrative courts of appeal and the administrative courts are general administrative courts. The right to have a case tried by the Supreme Court, Supreme Administrative Court, court of appeal or administrative court of appeal may be restricted in law. Other courts are established in accordance with law. Provisions prohibiting the establishment of a court of law in particular cases are laid down in Chapter 2, Article 11, paragraph one.

A person may serve as a member of the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court only if he or she holds currently, or has held previously, an appointment as a permanent salaried justice. Permanent salaried judges serve at other courts. Exceptions to this rule in respect of courts established to try a specific group or specific groups of cases may however be laid down in law.

Rules concerning the judicial tasks of the courts, the main features of their organisation and legal proceedings in respects other than those covered in this Instrument of Government are laid down in law.

Neither the Riksdag, nor a public authority, may determine how a court of law shall adjudicate an individual case or otherwise apply a rule of law in a particular case. Nor may any other public authority determine how judicial responsibilities shall be distributed among individual judges.

No judicial function may be performed by the Riksdag except to the extent laid down in fundamental law or the Riksdag Act.

A legal dispute between individuals may not be settled by an authority other than a court of law except in accordance with law.

Permanent salaried judges are appointed by the Government.

When appointments are made, only objective factors, such as merit and competence, shall be taken into account. Provisions concerning the grounds for the procedure for appointing permanent salaried judges are laid down in law.

A person who has been appointed a permanent salaried judge may be removed from office only if:

1. he or she has shown himself or herself through a criminal act or through gross or repeated neglect of his or her official duties to be manifestly unfit to hold the office; or
2. he or she has reached the applicable retirement age or is otherwise obliged by law to resign on grounds of protracted loss of working capacity.

If organisational considerations so dictate, a person who has been appointed a permanent salaried judge may be transferred to another judicial office of equal status.

Legal proceedings regarding a criminal act committed in the performance of an appointment as a member of the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court are instituted in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Administrative Court examines whether a member of the Supreme Court shall be removed or suspended from duty or obliged to undergo medical examination. If such proceedings concern a member of the Supreme Administrative Court, the matter is examined by the Supreme Court. Proceedings according to paragraphs one and two are initiated by the Parliamentary Ombudsmen or the Chancellor of Justice.

If a permanent salaried judge has been removed from office by means of a decision of a public authority other than a court of law it shall be possible for him or her to call for the decision to be examined before a court of law. A court conducting such an examination shall include a permanent salaried judge. The same applies to any decision as a result of which a permanent salaried judge is suspended from duty, ordered to undergo examination by a medical practitioner or subject to a disciplinary sanction.

Basic provisions concerning the legal status of permanent salaried judges in other respects are laid down in law.

Only a Swedish citizen may be a permanent salaried judge. Swedish nationality may otherwise be stipulated as a condition of eligibility to perform judicial functions only with support in law or in accordance with conditions laid down in law.

Chapter 12, Articles 5 to 7 apply to other employees at courts of law.

Re-opening of closed cases and restoration of lapsed time are granted by the Supreme Administrative Court or, inasmuch as this has been laid down in law, by an inferior administrative court if the case concerns a matter in respect of which the Government, an administrative court or an administrative authority is the highest instance. In all other cases, re-opening of a closed case or restoration of lapsed time is granted by the Supreme Court or, inasmuch as this has been laid down in law, by another court of law which is not an administrative court.

More detailed rules concerning the re-opening of closed cases and restoration of lapsed time may be laid down in law.

If a court finds that a provision conflicts with a rule of fundamental law or other superior statute, the provision shall not be applied. The same applies if a procedure laid down in law has been disregarded in any important respect when the provision was made.

In the case of review of an act of law under paragraph one, particular attention must be paid to the fact that the Riksdag is the foremost representative of the people and that fundamental law takes precedence over other law.

The Chancellor of Justice and other State administrative authorities come under the Government, unless they are authorities under the Riksdag according to the present Instrument of Government or by virtue of other law.

No public authority, including the Riksdag, or decision- making body of any local authority, may determine how an administrative authority shall decide in a particular case relating to the exercise of public authority vis-a-vis an individual or a local authority, or relating to the application of law.

No administrative function may be performed by the Riksdag except inasmuch as this follows from fundamental law or from the Riksdag Act.

Administrative functions may be delegated to local authorities.

Administrative functions may also be delegated to other legal entities or to individuals. If such a function involves the exercise of public authority, it may only be delegated in accordance with law. Special provisions on State employees

Appointments to posts at administrative authorities coming under the Government are made by the Government or by a public authority designated by the Government.

When making appointments to posts within the State administration, only objective factors, such as merit and competence, shall be taken into account.

Only a Swedish citizen may hold an appointment as Parliamentary Ombudsman or Auditor General. This also applies to the Chancellor of Justice. Swedish nationality may otherwise be stipulated as a condition of eligibility to hold an office or appointment under the State or under a local authority only with support in law or in accordance with conditions laid down in law.

Basic rules concerning the legal status of State employees in respects other than those covered in this Instrument of Government are laid down in law.

The Government may approve exemption from provisions of ordinances, or from provisions adopted in accordance with a Government decision, unless otherwise provided in an act of law or in a decision concerning a budget appropriation.

The Government may, by exercising clemency, remit or reduce a penal sanction or other legal effect of a criminal act, and remit or reduce any other similar intervention by a public authority concerning the person or property of an individual.

Where exceptional grounds exist, the Government may decide that no further action shall be taken to investigate or prosecute a criminal act.

If a public body finds that a provision conflicts with a rule of fundamental law or other superior statute, or finds that a procedure laid down in law has been disregarded in any important respect when the provision was made, the provision shall not be applied.

In the case of review of an act of law under paragraph one, particular attention must be paid to the fact that the Riksdag is the foremost representative of the people and that fundamental law takes precedence over other law.

The Committee on the Constitution shall examine ministers' performance of their official duties and the handling of Government business. For its examination, the Committee is entitled to have access to the records of decisions taken in Government matters and to the documents pertaining to such matters, as well as any other Government documents that the Committee deems necessary for its examination.

Another Riksdag committee or a member of the Riksdag is entitled to raise in writing with the Committee on the Constitution any issue relating to a minister's performance of his or her official duties or the handling of Government business.

Where warranted, but at least once a year, the Committee on the Constitution shall communicate to the Riksdag any observations it has found worthy of attention in connection with its examination. The Riksdag may make a formal statement to the Government as a consequence of this.

A person who is currently, or who has been previously, a minister may only be held accountable for a criminal act committed in the performance of his or her ministerial duties only if he or she has grossly neglected his or her official duty by committing the criminal act. A decision to institute criminal proceedings shall be taken by the Committee on the Constitution and the case tried before the Supreme Court.

The Riksdag may declare that a minister no longer has the confidence of the Riksdag. A motion calling for such a declaration of no confidence shall be raised by at least one tenth of the members of the Riksdag in order to be taken up for consideration. A declaration of no confidence requires the vote of more than half of the members of the Riksdag.

A motion calling for a declaration of no confidence shall not be taken up for consideration if raised on a date between the holding of an ordinary election or the announcement of a decision to call an extraordinary election and the date on which the Riksdag elected in such an election convenes. A motion relating to a minister who has remained at his or her post, under Chapter 6, Article 11, after having been formally discharged, may not in any circumstances be taken up for consideration.

A motion calling for a declaration of no confidence shall not be prepared in committee.

Any member of the Riksdag may submit interpellations or questions to a minister on matters concerning the minister's performance of his or her official duties in accordance with the more detailed rules laid down in the Riksdag Act.

The Riksdag elects one or more Parliamentary Ombudsmen who shall supervise the application of laws and other regulations in public activities, under terms of reference drawn up by the Riksdag. An Ombudsman may institute legal proceedings in the cases indicated in these terms of reference.

Courts of law, administrative authorities and State or local government employees shall provide an Ombudsman with such information and opinions as he or she may request. Other persons coming under the supervision of the Ombudsman have a similar obligation. An Ombudsman has the right to access the records and other documents of courts of law and administrative authorities. A public prosecutor shall assist an Ombudsman if so requested. More detailed provisions concerning the Ombudsmen are laid down in the Riksdag Act and elsewhere in law.

The National Audit Office is an authority under the Riksdag whose function is to examine the activities of the State. Provisions stating that the National Audit Office's audit may extend also to activities other than activities of the State are laid down in law.

The National Audit Office is under the direction of three Auditors General, who are elected by the Riksdag. The Riksdag may remove an Auditor General from office only provided the Auditor General no longer fulfils the requirements for the office or has been guilty of gross negligence.

The Auditors General decide independently, having regard to the rules laid down in law, what activities shall be audited. They determine separately and independently how their audit shall be carried out and formulate their own conclusions on the basis of their audit.

Further provisions concerning the National Audit Office are laid down in the Riksdag Act and elsewhere in law.

If the Realm finds itself at war or is exposed to the danger of war, the Government or the Speaker shall convene a meeting of the Riksdag. Whoever issues the notice convening the meeting may decide that the Riksdag shall convene at some place other than Stockholm.

If the Realm is at war or exposed to the danger of war, a War Delegation appointed from among the members of the Riksdag shall replace the Riksdag if circumstances so warrant.

If the Realm is at war, the decision instructing the War Delegation to replace the Riksdag shall be announced by the members of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs in accordance with more detailed rules laid down in the Riksdag Act. If possible, the Prime Minister shall be consulted before the decision is announced. If war conditions prevent the Council from convening, the decision is announced by the Government. If the Realm is exposed to the danger of war, the aforementioned decision is announced by the members of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs and the Prime Minister acting jointly. Such a decision requires the vote of the Prime Minister and six members of the Council for it to be valid.

The War Delegation and the Government may decide, either jointly or separately, that the Riksdag shall resume its powers. The decision shall be taken as soon as circumstances so warrant.

Rules concerning the composition of the War Delegation are laid down in the Riksdag Act.

While the War Delegation is acting in place of the Riksdag, it exercises the powers of the Riksdag. It may not however take decisions under Article 11, paragraph one, sentence one, or paragraph two or four.

The War Delegation determines its own working procedures.

If the Realm is at war, and if, as a consequence of this, the Government is unable to carry out its duties, the Riksdag may decide on the formation of a Government and determine its working procedures.

If the Realm is at war, and if, as a consequence of this, neither the Riksdag nor the War Delegation is able to carry out its duties, the Government shall assume its powers to the extent necessary to protect the Realm and bring hostilities to a close.

Paragraph one does not empower the Government to enact, amend, or abrogate a fundamental law, the Riksdag Act, or a law on elections to the Riksdag.

If the Realm is at war or exposed to the danger of war, or if such exceptional conditions prevail as result from war, or the danger of war to which the Realm has been exposed, the Government may, with authority in law, adopt by means of an ordinance provisions in a particular matter which shall otherwise, under provisions of fundamental law, be laid down in an act of law. If necessary in any other case having regard to defence preparedness, the Government may, with authority in law, determine by means of an ordinance that any provisions laid down in law which relate to requisition or other such disposition shall be brought into force or cease to apply.

In an act of law granting such authority, the conditions under which this authority may be invoked shall be strictly stipulated. Such authority shall not empower the Government to enact, amend, or abrogate a fundamental law, the Riksdag Act or a law on elections to the Riksdag.

If the Realm is at war or exposed to the immediate danger of war, the provisions of Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one, shall not apply. The same is true in any other circumstances in which the War Delegation is acting in place of the Riksdag.

If the Realm is at war or exposed to the immediate danger of war, the Government may, with authority from the Riksdag, determine that a task that is to be performed by the Government in accordance with fundamental law shall instead be performed by some other public authority. Such authority may not extend to any powers under Article 5 or 6, unless the matter relates solely to a decision that a law concerning a particular matter shall come into force.

Neither the Riksdag nor the Government may make decisions in occupied territory. Nor may any powers vested in a person in his or her capacity as a member of the Riksdag or as a minister be exercised in such territory.

Any public body in occupied territory shall act in the manner that best serves the defence effort and resistance activities, as well as the protection of the civilian population and Swedish interests in general. In no circumstances may a public body make any decision or take any action which, in contravention of international law, obliges a citizen of the Realm to render assistance to the occupying power.

Elections to the Riksdag or decision-making local government assemblies shall not be held in occupied territory.

If the Realm is at war, the Head of State should accompany the Government. If in occupied territory or separated from the Government, the Head of State shall be considered unable to carry out his or her duties as Head of State.

If the Realm is at war, elections to the Riksdag may be held only if the Riksdag so determines. If the Realm is exposed to the danger of war when an ordinary election is due to be held, the Riksdag may decide to defer the election. Such a decision shall be reviewed within one year and at intervals of no more than one year thereafter. A decision under this paragraph is valid only if at least three fourths of the members of the Riksdag vote in favour of it.

If any part of the Realm is occupied when an election is due to be held, the Riksdag shall approve any necessary modification of the rules laid down in Chapter 3. No exceptions may however be made from Chapter 3, Articles 1, 4, 5, 7 to 9 or 12. Any reference to the Realm in Chapter 3, Article 5, 7, paragraph two; or Article 8, paragraph two, shall apply instead to that part of the Realm for which the election is to be held. At least one tenth of the total number of seats shall be adjustment seats.

An ordinary election which is not held at the time prescribed, in consequence of paragraph one, shall be held as soon as possible after the war ends or the danger of war has passed. The Government and the Speaker, jointly or separately, shall ensure that the necessary steps are taken.

If, in consequence of this Article, an ordinary election has been held at a time other than the time at which it would normally have been held, the Riksdag shall set the date of the next ordinary election for that month in the fourth or fifth year following the first-named election in which an ordinary election is due to be held under the Riksdag Act.

If the Realm is at war or exposed to the danger of war, or if such exceptional conditions prevail as result from the war or the danger of war to which the Realm has been exposed, the decision-making powers of local authorities shall be exercised as laid down in law.

The Government may deploy the armed forces of the Realm in accordance with international law to meet an armed attack against the Realm or to prevent a violation of its territory.

The Government may instruct the armed forces to use force in accordance with international law to prevent a violation of Swedish territory in peace or during a war between foreign states.

The Government may not declare war without the consent of the Riksdag except in the case of an armed attack on the Realm.

The Government may enter into an agreement on a cessation of hostilities without requesting the approval of the Riksdag and without consulting the Advisory Committee on Foreign Affairs, provided that deferment of such an agreement would endanger the Realm.

The Government may send Swedish armed forces to other countries or otherwise deploy such forces in order to fulfil an international obligation approved by the Riksdag. Swedish armed forces may also be sent to other countries or be deployed if:

1. it is permitted by an act of law setting out the conditions for such action; or
2. the Riksdag permits such action in a special case.

Liability under penal law for an offence against the freedom of the press committed by means of a periodical lies with the person notified as responsible editor at the time when the periodical was published.

If a deputy had been notified and was acting as responsible editor, the deputy is liable.

If no certificate of no legal impediment to publication existed at the time when the periodical was published, or if the responsible editor liable under Article 1, paragraph one, was no longer qualified, or his or her appointment as responsible editor had otherwise been terminated, the owner is liable.

The owner is likewise liable in a case in which the responsible editor was appointed for appearance's sake, or was otherwise manifestly not in possession of the powers stipulated in Chapter 5, Article 3, at the time when the periodical was published.

If a deputy acting as responsible editor was no longer qualified at the time when the periodical was published, or if his or her appointment had otherwise been terminated, or if a circumstance specified in paragraph two applied in respect of the deputy, the responsible editor is liable.

If it is impossible to establish the identity of the owner at the time when the periodical was published, the printer is liable in place of the owner.

If a person disseminates a periodical which lacks information concerning the name of the printer, or if such information is known to the disseminator to be incorrect and the identity of the printer cannot be ascertained, the disseminator is liable in place of the printer.

Liability under penal law for an offence against the freedom of the press committed by means of non-periodical printed matter lies with the author, if he or she has been identified as the author of the printed matter in the manner prescribed in Chapter 3, Article 2. The author is not, however, liable if the matter was published without his or her consent, or if his or her name, pseudonym, or pen-name appeared therein against his or her will.

If an author is not liable under Article 5 for matter which includes or is intended to include contributions from several authors, and if a particular editor has been identified in the manner prescribed in Chapter 3, Article 2, the editor is liable.

In the case of printed matter other than printed matter under paragraph one, the editor is liable only if the author was deceased when the matter was published.

The editor is not liable if his or her name, pseudonym, or pen-name appeared on the matter against his or her will.

The editor of non-periodical printed matter is understood to be the person who, without being the author, delivers the matter for printing and publication.

If neither the author nor the editor is liable under Article 5 or 6, or if, when the matter was published, he or she was deceased, the publisher is liable.

The publisher of non-periodical printed matter is understood to be the person who has undertaken to print and publish the writings of another.

If there was no publisher, or if the identity of the publisher cannot be ascertained, the printer is liable in place of the publisher.

The provisions of Article 4 apply in a similar manner to the liability of a disseminator of non-periodical printed matter.

If the person who would have been liable under Article 2, 5, 6 or 7 at the time of publication of the printed matter has no known place of domicile within the Realm, and if his or her current whereabouts within the Realm cannot be ascertained in the case, liability shall pass to the person liable next thereafter, but not to the editor of non-periodical printed matter other than in a case under Article 6, paragraph one, or to a disseminator.

The same applies if a circumstance pertained in respect of the person liable under Article 1, 2, 5, 6 or 7 which according to law excluded criminal responsibility, and if the person liable next thereafter was aware of, or should have been aware of, the circumstance.

A circumstance which would result in the liability under this Chapter of a person other than the defendant shall be taken into consideration only if the circumstance was adduced prior to the main hearing.

In determining the liability of a person responsible for printed matter under this Chapter, the content of the matter shall be deemed to have been inserted with the knowledge and consent of the person concerned.

Every Swedish citizen and every Swedish legal person has the right to transmit radio programmes by landline. The freedom which follows from paragraph one does not preclude the publication in law of provisions concerning:

1. the obligation of network owners to make space available for certain programmes, to the extent necessary with regard to the public interest in access to comprehensive information;
2. the obligation of network owners to make space available for transmissions, to the extent necessary with regard to the interest of network competition in respect of such transmissions, or the public interest in having access to such transmissions;
3. the obligation of network owners to take steps to assure listeners of influence over programme choice;
4. the obligation of those who transmit television programmes to design the transmissions in a manner that allows people with functional disabilities access to the programmes by means of subtitling, interpretation, spoken text, or similar technical aids; or
5. interventions against programming prominently featuring depictions of violence, pornographic images, or agitation against a population group.

The right to transmit radio programmes other than by landline may be regulated in an act of law containing provisions on licensing and conditions of transmission.

The public institutions shall seek to ensure that radio frequencies are utilised in such a way as to result in the widest possible freedom of expression and freedom of information.

The opportunity shall exist for organised groups of persons to obtain a licence to broadcast sound radio programmes on local radio transmissions, insofar as available frequencies permit. More detailed provisions in this connection are laid down in law.

In the case of restrictions of the right to broadcast of the nature envisaged in Articles 1 and 2, the provisions of Chapter 2, Articles 21 to 23 of the Instrument of Government concerning restrictions of fundamental rights and freedoms apply.

A person broadcasting radio programmes is free to determine independently the content of the programmes.

Questions concerning the right to broadcast radio programmes are examined before a court of law or a commission, the composition of which is laid down in law and whose chair shall hold currently, or shall have held previously, an appointment as a permanent salaried judge. Examination of a Government decision shall take place before a court of law and need relate only to the legality of the decision.

If the matter relates to a question of intervention on account of an abuse of the freedom of expression, the case shall be examined by a court of law sitting with a jury, in accordance with detailed rules laid down in law. This does not however apply if the matter relates to a violation of provisions or conditions regarding commercial advertising, other advertising or transmission of radio programmes under Chapter 1, Article 12, paragraph two.

Provisions may be laid down in law concerning the obligation to retain recordings of radio programmes and make them available for subsequent scrutiny, and to furnish them to archives.

Provisions aimed at preventing the dissemination through radio programmes of maps, drawings or pictures which represent Sweden, either in whole or in part, and which contain information of significance for the defence of the Realm, may be laid down in law.

Every Swedish citizen and every Swedish legal person has the right to produce and disseminate technical recordings. Scrutiny and approval under Chapter 1, Article 3, paragraph two, may however be required for the right to show in public a film, video recording or other technical recording containing moving pictures.

Provisions concerning an obligation to retain copies of technical recordings and make them available for scrutiny may be laid down in law. Provisions may also be laid down in law concerning an obligation to furnish copies of such recordings to a public authority and provide information in connection with such obligation.

No postal service or other common carrier may refuse to forward technical recordings on grounds of their content other than in cases where forwarding would constitute a violation under Article 13, paragraph three or four.

A common carrier who accepts a technical recording for forwarding shall not be regarded as the disseminator of the recording under Chapter 6.

The provisions laid down in law concerning a case in which, for gainful purposes, a person supplies to a person under the age of fifteen a film, video recording or other technical recording containing moving pictures with detailed representations of a realistic nature which include acts of violence or threats of violence against persons or animals apply without hindrance of this Fundamental Law.

The rules set out in this Fundamental Law do not preclude the laying down in law of provisions concerning penalties and special legal effects in respect of a person who:

1. exhibits pornographic pictures on or at a public place by displaying them or the like in a manner liable to cause offence to the general public;
2. supplies pornographic pictures by post or other means to a person who has not ordered them in advance; or
3. disseminates among children and young persons technical recordings which by reason of their content might have a brutalising effect or result in other serious danger to the young.

The same applies in respect of penalties and special legal effects for a person who offends against provisions concerning the scrutiny and approval of films, video recordings or other technical recordings containing moving pictures which are intended for public showing, and of moving pictures in such a public playback from a database under Chapter 1, Article 9, paragraph one, point 3.

Provisions aimed at preventing the dissemination through technical recordings of maps, drawings or pictures which represent Sweden, either in whole or in part, and which contain information of significance for the defence of the Realm, may be laid down in law.

Copies of technical recordings produced in Sweden and intended for dissemination in this country shall be provided with clear information indicating who caused the recording to be made and where, when and by whom the copies were made. More detailed rules in this connection may be laid down in law.

A person who produces a technical recording and thereby offends, through negligence or by deliberate intent, against paragraph one, or against rules referred to therein, shall be sentenced to pay a fine or to imprisonment for up to one year.

A person who disseminates a technical recording which lacks, through negligence or by deliberate intent, any of the information prescribed in paragraph one shall be sentenced to pay a fine. The same shall apply if such information is incorrect and this fact is known to the disseminator.

A person who knowingly disseminates a technical recording after it has been impounded or confiscated under this Fundamental Law shall be sentenced to pay a fine or to imprisonment for up to one year.

Provisions concerning an obligation of a person who professionally sells or rents films, video recordings or other technical recordings containing moving pictures to notify this circumstance to a public authority for registration may be laid down in law or, where the content of such notification or the detailed procedure for lodging such notification is concerned, by virtue of law.

The name of the database and information about when, where and how the recording, written document or picture was produced shall be apparent from such a technical recording, written document or picture under Chapter 1, Article 9, paragraph one, point 1. The person carrying on the activity shall ensure that the recording, written document or picture carries such information. More detailed rules concerning this matter may be laid down in law.

A person who, through negligence or by deliberate intent, offends against paragraph one, or against rules referred to therein, shall be sentenced to pay a fine or to imprisonment for up to one year.

A person who, through negligence or by deliberate intent, supplies a technical recording, written document or picture under Chapter 1, Article 9, paragraph one, point 1, which lacks any of the information prescribed in paragraph one, shall be sentenced to pay a fine. The same applies if such information is incorrect and this is known to the person supplying the recording, written document or picture.

Ordinary elections to the Riksdag are held in September. Rules concerning the timing of extraordinary elections are laid down in Chapter 3, Article 11, and Chapter 6, Article 5 of the Instrument of Government.

The Riksdag convenes for a new session after an election on the fifteenth day after election day, but not before the fourth day after the election result has been declared, in accordance with the rules laid down in Chapter 3, Article 10 of the Instrument of Government.

In years in which no ordinary election is held, a new session starts on that date in September determined by the Riksdag at the preceding session in response to a proposal from the Riksdag Board.

If an extraordinary election has been announced prior to the date appointed, a new session starts in accordance with the provisions of paragraph two, provided the Riksdag convenes before the end of June as a result of the election. A Riksdag session continues until the start of the next session.

A report from the Election Review Board concerning the examination of the election warrants of members and alternate members is presented at the first meeting of the Chamber in an electoral period. A roll-call of members is taken thereafter. The Chamber then proceeds to elect a Speaker and Deputy Speakers in accordance with Chapter 8, Article 1, and a Nominations Committee in accordance with Chapter 7, Article 2.

At other sessions of the Riksdag, a roll-call of members is taken at the first meeting of the Chamber.

Reports on the examination of warrants received during an electoral period are presented as soon as possible.

The formal opening of a Riksdag session takes place at a special meeting of the Chamber held no later than the third day of the session. At this meeting, the Head of State declares the session open at the invitation of the Speaker. If the Head of State is unable to attend, the Speaker declares the session open.

At this meeting, the Prime Minister delivers a Government policy statement unless there are special grounds why he or she should refrain from so doing.

The Speaker determines procedure at this meeting after conferring with the Deputy Speakers.

The Speaker, or in his or her place one of the Deputy Speakers, directs the work of the Riksdag. The Riksdag Board deliberates on the organisation of the work of the Riksdag, directs the work of the Riksdag Administration and determines matters of major significance concerning the Riksdag's international contacts programme.

The Riksdag Board consists of the Speaker as chair and ten other members whom the Riksdag appoints from among its members for the duration of the electoral period.

Each of the parliamentary party groups which corresponds to a party which obtained at least four per cent of the votes throughout the whole of the Realm at the preceding election to the Riksdag shall appoint a special representative to confer with the Speaker concerning the work of the Chamber, in accordance with the rules laid down in this Act.

A member of the Riksdag may be granted leave of absence from his or her duties after the member's reasons have been examined. If a member has been granted leave of absence for at least one month, the member's duties shall be carried out by an alternate for the duration of his or her absence.

An application for leave of absence is considered by the Speaker in the case of absence for a period of less than one month, and by the Riksdag in the case of a longer period. An application which is made during a break of more than one month in the work of the Chamber is however always considered by the Speaker.

When an alternate member is to replace the Speaker or a member of the Riksdag who is a minister, in accordance with the rules laid down in Chapter 4, Article 13 of the Instrument of Government, or a member of the Riksdag, in accordance with the rules laid down in Article 6 above, the Speaker shall summon the alternate to take up his or her duties. In this connection, the Speaker shall follow the order of precedence between alternates determined in the law on elections to the Riksdag. The Speaker may however depart from this order where special grounds exist.

If a member resigns his or her mandate, an alternate member who has been replacing that member shall continue to exercise the mandate until a new member has been appointed.

The Chairmen's Conference deliberates on matters of common concern for the activities of the Chamber, the Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs.

The Chairmen's Conference consists of the Speaker, acting as chair, and the chairs of the Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs

The Speaker presides over the meetings of the Chamber. The Speaker is debarred from speaking on the substance of any matter under deliberation which has been entered in the order paper.

The Speaker may delegate to a Deputy Speaker the duty of presiding over a meeting.

In the absence of the Speaker and all the Deputy Speakers, that member among those present who has been a member of the Riksdag longest presides. If two or more members have been members of the Riksdag equally long, the member who is senior in age has precedence. The same shall apply pending the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers.

The provisions of Article 1 restricting the Speaker's right to speak shall apply also to a Deputy Speaker and to any other member presiding over a meeting of the Chamber.

Each member shall have his or her own appointed place in the Chamber.

The Riksdag may determine that a meeting shall be held behind closed doors, if necessary, with regard to the security of the Realm, or otherwise, with regard to relations with another state or an international organisation. If the Government is to deliver a statement at a meeting, the Government may also determine, on the same grounds as the Riksdag, that the meeting shall be held behind closed doors.

A member or official of the Riksdag may not without authority disclose anything that has occurred at a meeting held behind closed doors. The Riksdag may, however, waive the duty of confidentiality, in whole or in part, in a particular case.

The Chamber convenes in response to a summons from the Speaker unless otherwise provided in the Instrument of Government or in this Act.

The summons shall indicate whether the meeting is a plenary meeting at which committee reports may be taken up for settlement. A summons shall be posted in the premises of the Riksdag no later than 6 p.m. on the day prior to the meeting and at least fourteen hours in advance.

A summons may however be posted later in exceptional circumstances. In such a case, the meeting shall take place only if more than half the members of the Riksdag consent thereto.

The Speaker determines what breaks of a week or more shall be made in the work of the Chamber during the current session, after conferring with the Riksdag Board.

If the Government has called an extraordinary election, the Speaker may determine, in response to a request from the Government, that the work of the Chamber shall be suspended for the remainder of the electoral period.

The Speaker may determine that a break in the work of the Chamber shall be interrupted. Such a decision shall be taken if so requested by the Government or by at least one hundred and fifteen members. The Speaker shall convene a meeting of the Chamber to be held within ten days from the submission of such a request.

The Speaker shall prepare an order paper for each meeting listing all matters on the table of the Chamber. An exception may be made for a matter which it is assumed will be dealt with behind closed doors.

The order paper shall indicate whether the meeting is a plenary meeting at which committee reports may be taken up for settlement.

Business shall be dealt with at a meeting in the order in which it appears on the order paper. Business includes elections scheduled to be held at a meeting.

A decision to terminate or adjourn a meeting in progress is taken by the Chamber without prior deliberation.

The Speaker puts the questions for decision, based on the motions which have been put forward. If the Speaker considers that a motion conflicts with fundamental law or with this Act, he or she shall refuse to put the question, stating the reasons for this decision. If the Chamber requests nevertheless that the question be put, the Speaker shall refer the matter to the Committee on the Constitution for decision. The Speaker may not refuse to put the question if the Committee has declared that the motion does not conflict with fundamental law or with this Act.

The provisions set out in paragraph one concerning examination of the constitutionality of a motion shall not apply to the question whether Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government is applicable to a particular draft law.

Every member and every minister shall be entitled to speak freely at a meeting on all matters under deliberation and on the legality of all that takes place at the meeting, with the exceptions set out in this Act.

The Head of State may deliver a declaration of office before the Chamber.

The Speaker may determine, after conferring with the special representatives of the party groups, that a debate shall take place at a meeting of the Chamber on matters unconnected with other business under consideration. Such a debate may be restricted to one particular subject or may be divided up according to subject.

No one may be present at a meeting when a matter is being deliberated which personally concerns himself or herself or a close associate. A minister may however participate in the deliberation of a matter concerning the performance of his or her official duties.

No speaker at a meeting may speak inappropriately of another person, use personally insulting language, or otherwise behave in word or deed in a way that contravenes good order.

A person who has the floor shall confine his or her intervention to the matter under deliberation. Should anyone offend against the provisions of paragraph one or two and fail to comply with the Speaker's admonition, the Speaker may debar him or her from speaking for the remainder of the debate.

The Speaker shall confer with the special representatives of the party groups concerning the arrangement of debates in the Chamber.

The Riksdag may prescribe a limit to the number of interventions a speaker may make during the deliberation of a matter and the duration of such interventions in a supplementary provision of this Riksdag Act. A distinction may be made in this connection between different categories of speakers, such as ministers and majority or minority spokesmen for a committee, or spokesmen for a party group, and between speakers who have given prior notice before the meeting of their intention to speak and speakers who have not so done.

Such limitation of the right to speak may also be specially approved in conjunction with the deliberation of a particular issue in response to a proposal from the Speaker. The decision is taken without prior deliberation.

Each and every person wishing to speak on an issue shall however be entitled to speak for at least four minutes.

The Speaker shall determine the order of speakers from among those giving notice before the deliberation of a particular issue that they wish to speak. Members asking leave to speak during the deliberations shall speak in the order in which they give notice to this effect.

Irrespective of the order of speakers, and without prior notice, the Speaker may:

1. give the floor to a minister who has not previously spoken; and
2. give the floor to a minister or a member who has previously spoken for the purpose of making a rejoinder which contributes information or corrects remarks made by a previous speaker, or in order to refute an allegation made by a previous speaker.

A verbatim record shall be kept of proceedings in the Chamber. No one may speak off the record. A decision may not be altered when the record is confirmed. The record of meetings of the Chamber and associated documents shall be published in print unless secrecy is imposed under special provisions.

The Government submits a proposal to the Riksdag in the form of a Government bill.

A Government bill shall include the Government minutes in the matter, an account of the preparation of the matter and a motivation of the proposal. Bills containing proposals for legislation shall include the opinion of the Council on Legislation, if such exists.

The budget year starts on 1 January. Prior to this date, the Government shall submit a bill setting out proposals for State revenue and expenditure for the budget year (the Budget Bill).

The Budget Bill shall contain a budget statement and a budget proposal. If the Riksdag has approved the allocation of State spending to expenditure areas under the rules laid down in Chapter 5, Article 12, the Budget Bill shall include an allocation of appropriations according to these expenditure areas.

A bill relating to State revenue or expenditure for the coming budget year may be submitted subsequent to the Budget Bill only if the Government considers that exceptional economic policy grounds exist for such action.

A bill containing proposals for a new or significantly increased appropriation, or guidelines under Chapter 9, Article 6 of the Instrument of Government for State activities covering a period exceeding that to which the appropriation for the activity relates, should contain an estimate of future costs connected with the activity to which the proposal relates. If a proposal concerning an appropriation is based on a plan covering a period exceeding the period for which the appropriation has been calculated in the bill, the plan should be described.

In response to a proposal from the Speaker, the Riksdag determines the latest date on which bills which, in the Government's view, should be considered during the current session may be submitted. If a particular date is prescribed in this Act, that date however applies.

A decision under Article 3 does not apply:

• in respect of a bill whereby, pursuant to law, the Government seeks the approval of the Riksdag for a statutory instrument which has already been issued; or

  if the Government considers that exceptional grounds exist for submitting a bill at a later date.

The Government should time the submission of its bills so as to prevent, if possible, an accumulation of business in the Riksdag. The Government shall confer with the Speaker in this connection.

The Government may communicate information to the Riksdag by means of a written communication or an oral statement delivered by a minister at a meeting of the Chamber.

A Riksdag committee is entitled to introduce proposals in the Riksdag on any matter falling within its remit (committee initiative). A committee initiative takes the form of a committee report.

The Committee on Finance is entitled, for purposes of economic policy, to introduce proposals in the Riksdag also on a matter falling within the remit of another committee.

The Riksdag Board, the General Council and Executive Board of the Riksbank, the Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the Auditors General may make submissions to the Riksdag in matters affecting the competence, organisation, personnel or working procedures of the body concerned.

The Riksdag may prescribe that the Riksdag Board, the General Council and Executive Board of the Riksbank and the Parliamentary Ombudsmen may make submissions to the Riksdag also in other cases.

Special provisions concerning reports to the Riksdag by a Riksdag body other than a committee are laid down in law.

The provisions of paragraph one apply also to each individual Auditor General at the National Audit Office. Further provisions concerning such submissions are laid down in the Act with Instructions for the National Audit Office (SFS 2002:1023).

Each individual Auditor General delivers his or her audit reports on the performance audit to the Riksdag.

The Auditors General deliver the annual report with the most significant observations from the performance audits and the annual report to the Riksdag.

A member of the Riksdag submits a proposal to the Riksdag in the form of a private member's motion.

Proposals on matters of varying nature shall not be combined in one and the same private member's motion.

Private members' motions may be introduced once a year on any question falling within the jurisdiction of the Riksdag (the general period for the introduction of private members' motions).

Unless otherwise determined by the Riksdag in response to a proposal from the Speaker, the general period for the introduction of private members' motions runs from the start of a Riksdag session which opens in August, September or October and continues as long as private members' motions may be introduced on account of the Budget Bill.

Private members' motions arising out of a Government bill, a written communication from the Government, a submission or a report from a Riksdag body other than a committee may be introduced within fifteen days from the date on which the bill, written communication, submission or report was notified to the Chamber. If a bill or a submission must be dealt with promptly, the Riksdag may, if it finds that there are exceptional grounds for so doing, decide to curtail the period during which private members' motions may be introduced, in response to a proposal from the Government or the Riksdag body which made the submission. If there are special grounds, the Riksdag may decide, in response to a proposal from the Speaker, to extend the period during which private members' motions may be introduced.

If consideration of a Government bill, a written communication from the Government or a submission or a report from a Riksdag body other than a committee has been deferred from one electoral period to the next, private members' motions arising out of the bill, written communication, submission or report may be introduced within seven days from the start of the new electoral period.

Private members' motions arising out of an occurrence of major significance may be introduced jointly by at least ten members, if the event could not have been foreseen or taken into account during the general period for the introduction of private members' motions, or any other period for the introduction of private members' motions set out in this Chapter.

The Committee on the Constitution shall notify to the Chamber for final approval decisions on matters of fundamental law or relating to the Riksdag Act which have been held in abeyance over an election. If, under provisions of the Instrument of Government, the procedure laid down for the amendment of fundamental law or of the Riksdag Act shall be applied in any other case, the decision which is being held in abeyance shall be notified to the Chamber by the committee within whose remit the matter falls.

The Committee on the Constitution shall furthermore notify the Chamber of a decision concerning an exception from the respite prescribed for the introduction of a proposal which shall be taken in accordance with the procedure laid down in Chapter 8, Article 14 of the Instrument of Government.

Green and white papers that are forwarded to the Riksdag shall be considered by the Riksdag in accordance with the provisions laid down in Chapter 10, Article 5. The same applies to such other documents from the European Union, other than draft legislative acts, whose consideration in this manner shall be determined by the Speaker, after consultation with the special representatives of the party groups. In accordance with Chapter 10, Article 6, the Riksdag shall examine whether draft legislative acts conflict with the principle of subsidiarity.

In the manner laid down in Chapter 10, Article 8, the Riksdag shall approve or reject initiatives from the European Council to decide on an authorisation for the Council to amend the decision-making procedure in a particular area or in a particular case from unanimity to a qualified majority or from a special legislative procedure to the ordinary legislative procedure. In the same manner, the Riksdag shall approve or reject proposals from the European Commission to specify aspects of family law that have cross-border consequences and that can be the subject of legislative acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure.

A motion calling for a referendum on a matter of fundamental law or for a declaration of no confidence shall be put forward at a meeting of the Chamber. The motion shall be delivered in writing as soon as it has been put forward.

If a prosecutor calls for the consent of the Riksdag under Chapter 4, Article 12, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government to take legal action against a member of the Riksdag or deprive him or her of his or her personal liberty, the prosecutor shall make a written application to the Speaker to this effect. The same procedure shall apply if any other person seeks the consent of the Riksdag to the prosecution of a member of the Riksdag on grounds of his or her actions.

If the application document is so incomplete that it cannot be used as a basis for consideration by the Riksdag, or if the applicant has failed to demonstrate that he or she is competent to raise charges or apply for such action to be taken by a public authority, the Speaker shall reject the application. In any other case the Speaker shall notify the matter to a meeting of the Chamber.

A Government bill, a written communication from the Government, a submission or a report from a Riksdag body other than a committee or a private member's motion may be withdrawn until a committee report has been presented on the matter. A draft law held in abeyance for a minimum of twelve months under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government may be withdrawn until a new committee report has been presented under Chapter 4, Article 9, paragraph four of this Act.

If a bill, a written communication, a submission or a report has been withdrawn, private members' motions arising out of the bill, written communication, submission or report shall lapse.

If a bill, a written communication, a submission or a report has been withdrawn, private members' motions arising out of the withdrawal may be introduced within seven days from the date on which the withdrawal was notified to the Chamber.

The provisions generally applying to the calculation of statutory time limits shall apply also to time limits within which action shall be taken under a provision of this Chapter.

Government bills, written communications from the Government, submissions or reports from a Riksdag body other than a committee and private members' motions shall be referred to a committee for preparation. The same shall apply to applications under Chapter 3, Article 16, for consent to prosecution or deprivation of liberty which have been notified to the Chamber by the Speaker.

Before a matter is referred to a committee for preparation, it shall be tabled at a meeting of the Chamber, unless the Chamber decides on immediate referral.

The Riksdag shall appoint from among its members, for each electoral period, a Committee on the Constitution, a Committee on Finance, a Committee on Taxation and an appropriate number of other committees. Such elections shall be valid for the duration of the electoral period.

The Riksdag may also appoint committees during the electoral period to serve no longer than the remainder of the electoral period.

Each committee shall consist of an odd number of members, but no fewer than fifteen.

The Committee on the Constitution shall prepare matters concerning the fundamental laws and the Riksdag Act. Rules concerning the responsibilities of the Committee on the Constitution are also laid down in Chapter 2, Article 22; Chapter 8, Article 14; and Chapter 13, Article 1 of the Instrument of Government; and in Chapter 2, Article 9; Chapter 3, Article 14; Chapter 4, Article 11; Chapter 6, Articles 1 and 4; Chapter 8, Articles 11 and 13; Chapter 9, Article 8; Chapter 10, Article 6; and Supplementary provisions 4.6.1; 5.4.1; 8.4.1; 8.5.1; 8.11.1; 8.11.2; and 8.12.1 of this Act.

The Committee on Finance shall prepare matters concerning:

1. Budget bills
   general guidelines for economic policy and the determination of the national budget; and
2. Central bank
   the activities of the Riksbank.

If the Riksdag has approved the allocation of State spending to expenditure areas under Chapter 5, Article 12, the Committee on Finance shall also prepare proposals for expenditure limits for expenditure areas, and for draft estimates of State revenue. Rules concerning the responsibilities of the Committee on Finance are also laid down in Chapter 9, Article 5 of the Instrument of Government; and Chapter 3, Article 7; Chapter 4, Article 8; Chapter 9, Article 8; and Supplementary provisions 4.6.2; 4.9.1; and 8.7.1 of this Act.

The Committee on Taxation shall prepare matters concerning State and local government taxation. Rules concerning the responsibilities of the Committee on Taxation are also laid down in Supplementary provision 4.6.3 of this Act.

The Riksdag prescribes the principles according to which other matters shall be allocated among committees. In this connection matters falling within the same subject area shall be referred to the same committee. The Riksdag may however determine that there shall be a committee for the preparation of matters concerning legislation under Chapter 8, Article 2, paragraph one, point 1 of the Instrument of Government, irrespective of subject area.

The Riksdag may depart from the principles thus established and from Article 5 if this is deemed necessary in a particular case, having regard to the interdependence of different matters, the particular nature of a matter, or working conditions.

A committee may transfer a matter to another committee under the circumstances set out in paragraph two, provided this committee consents. The committee transferring the matter may deliver an opinion in the matter to the receiving committee in conjunction with the transfer.

Matters other than the Budget Bill may be shared between two or more committees only where special grounds so warrant.

A committee may provide another committee with an opportunity to deliver an opinion concerning a matter or an issue affecting that committee's area of competence. Before a committee delivers a report containing proposals in a matter which has been raised in the Riksdag, the Committee on Finance shall be provided with an opportunity to comment, if the proposal could have significant future repercussions for public revenue and expenditure.

If, during the consideration of a matter, at least five members of a committee so request, the committee shall obtain an opinion under paragraph one. The same shall apply if such a request has been put forward unconnected with the consideration of a matter, if the question relates to European Union activities. The committee may reject a request for an opinion if it is put forward during the consideration of a matter and the committee concludes that the action requested would so delay consideration of the matter that serious detriment would result. In such a case, the committee shall state in its report its reasons for rejecting the request.

A committee may reach agreement with one or more other committees to prepare a matter jointly through deputies on a joint committee.

The committees shall deliver reports to the Chamber on all matters which have been referred to them, and which have not been withdrawn. Joint committees deliver reports to the Chamber.

Reports on matters the consideration of which has been deferred to the following electoral period under Chapter 5, Article 10, shall be delivered by the committees appointed by the newly-elected Riksdag.

When notifying the Chamber of a decision held in abeyance under Chapter 3, Article 14, a committee shall append an opinion in the matter.

If a draft law has been held in abeyance for a minimum of twelve months under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government, the committee shall deliver a new report on the matter.

A matter on which a committee has delivered a report shall be referred back to the committee by the Chamber for further preparation if at least one third of those voting concur in a motion to this effect. The same matter may not be referred back more than once under this Article.

The Chamber may also refer the matter to another committee for further preparation. If a motion for referral to another committee and a motion for referral back to the same committee are put forward concurrently, the motion for referral back shall be considered first. If the motion for referral back is approved, the motion for referral to another committee lapses.

A State authority shall furnish information and deliver opinions when so requested by a committee, unless it follows otherwise from Article 13, paragraph three. This obligation however applies to the Government only in respect of European Union activities falling within the committee's subject area. An authority which is not an authority under the Riksdag may refer a request from a committee to the Government for decision.

If, during the consideration of a matter, at least five members of a committee so request, the committee shall obtain information or an opinion under paragraph one. The same shall apply if such a request has been put forward unconnected with the consideration of a matter, if the question relates to European Union activities. The committee may reject a request for information or an opinion if the request is put forward during the consideration of a matter and the committee concludes that the action requested would so delay consideration of the matter that serious detriment would result. In such a case, the committee shall state in its report its reasons for rejecting the request.

The Committee on the Constitution may not declare that Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government is not applicable in respect of a particular draft law without obtaining the opinion of the Council on Legislation in the matter.

Committees convene as the work of the Riksdag requires.

Committees shall meet behind closed doors. A committee may, however, determine that a meeting shall be open to the public, in whole or in part, in respect of that part of it which relates to information-gathering.

If special grounds exist, a committee may permit a person other than a member, deputy member or official of the committee to be present at a meeting behind closed doors.

A representative of a State authority shall not be obliged, during a public part of a committee meeting, to furnish information which is subject to secrecy rules at the authority.

No one may be present at a meeting of a committee when a matter is being deliberated which personally concerns himself or herself or a close associate.

Voting in a committee shall be by open ballot. In the event of a tied vote, the opinion in which the chair concurs shall prevail.

A member who loses a vote in a committee may append a reservation, with a motion, to the committee's report. If the vote relates to the committee's decision regarding an opinion to be delivered to another committee, the member may append a dissenting view to the opinion. The report or opinion shall not, however, be delayed as a result.

A member may explain his or her position in a separate statement appended to a committee report or an opinion delivered to another committee.

A member, deputy member, or official of a committee may not without authority disclose any matter which the Government, or the committee, has determined shall be kept secret, having regard to the security of the Realm or for any other reason of exceptional importance arising out of relations with another state or an international organisation.

The preparation of business by the committees shall include the task of following-up and evaluating Riksdag decisions within the subject areas set out for each committee in Articles 4 to 6 and associated supplementary provisions.

Audit reports from the National Audit Office shall be delivered by the Speaker to the committee responsible for the subject area dealt with in the report according to provisions in Articles 4 to 6 and associated supplementary provisions. If the committee wishes to obtain information in connection with such an audit report, the procedure set out in Article 11 shall apply.

The Speaker shall deliver audit reports not dealing with the activities pursued by the Riksdag or an authority under the Riksdag to the Government.

The Government shall deliver a written communication to the Riksdag for each audit report on the performance audit that the Speaker delivers to the Government. In the written communication, the Government shall give an account to the Riksdag of the measures the Government has taken or intends to take in response to the observations of the National Audit Office. If the Government has taken or intends to take similar measures in response to several audit reports, however, the Government may deliver a written communication covering several audit reports to the Riksdag.

The written communication from the Government shall be delivered to the Riksdag within four months of the Government receiving the report. When calculating the respite, July and August shall not be counted.

A committee shall consult the Riksdag Board before taking a decision concerning foreign travel. The Board shall deliver an opinion concerning the appropriateness of the journey. In this connection, consideration shall be had to the international relations of the Riksdag, the cost and other circumstances. The Riksdag Board may issue more detailed rules concerning foreign travel by committees.

A committee report shall be notified to the Chamber and tabled twice at meetings of the Chamber before settlement, unless the Riksdag determines, in response to a proposal from the committee or from the Speaker, that the matter shall be settled after having been tabled only once. Rules concerning further tabling of committee reports are laid down in Article 7, paragraph two.

A motion under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government calling for a draft law to be held in abeyance for a minimum of twelve months may be put forward when the committee report on the draft law has been notified to the Chamber.

A motion calling for a referendum on a matter of fundamental law or for a declaration of no confidence shall be tabled in the Chamber until the second meeting following the meeting at which the motion was put forward. The matter shall be settled no later than the next meeting thereafter.

A proposal from the Speaker for a new Prime Minister shall be tabled in the Chamber until the second meeting following the meeting at which the proposal was put forward. The matter shall be settled no later than the fourth day following the day on which the proposal was put forward, in accordance with the provisions laid down in Chapter 6, Article 4, paragraph two of the Instrument of Government.

A member may move adoption or rejection of the proposals for decision contained in a committee report during the deliberation of the report. Rules concerning motions and decisions to refer a matter back to the committee delivering the report, or to refer it to another committee, are laid down in Chapter 4, Article 10.

A matter under deliberation may not be taken up for settlement until the Chamber has declared the debate closed, in response to a proposal from the Speaker. A committee report may be taken up for settlement only at a meeting which has been notified in the summons under Chapter 2, Article 5, and entered in the order paper under Chapter 2, Article 7, as a plenary meeting at which committee reports may be taken up for settlement.

A matter is settled by acclamation or, if a member so requests, by holding a vote. If a special procedure rule is to be applied under Article 9, the matter must always be settled by means of a vote. If necessary, settlement of a matter shall be divided up into separate part-decisions.

If a motion has been put forward under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government calling for a draft law to be held in abeyance for a minimum of twelve months, and a motion has also been put forward for the rejection of the draft law, the Riksdag shall examine the last- named motion before taking a vote to adopt the law forthwith.

When a matter is settled by acclamation, the Speaker puts to the question every motion put forward in the course of the deliberations. The question shall be worded in such a way that it can be answered with a 'Yes' or 'No'. The Speaker declares what he or she understands to be the result, and confirms the decision by striking his or her gavel, unless a member calls for a vote.

When a matter is settled by means of a vote, the principal proposal is that motion which in the Speaker's view the Riksdag adopted by acclamation. When there has been no acclamation, the principal proposal is the motion determined by the Speaker. A second motion is put up against this principal proposal to act as a counter-proposal. If there are more than two motions which can be put up against each other, the Riksdag shall first apply Article 5 to determine which shall constitute the counter-proposal.

Voting is by open ballot. Under the rule laid down in Chapter 4, Article 7 of the Instrument of Government, the proposal which obtains the support of more than half the members voting constitutes the decision of the Riksdag, unless otherwise provided in the Instrument of Government or in this Act. The Speaker announces the result of the vote and confirms the decision by striking his or her gavel.

If the vote is tied concerning which motion shall constitute the counter-proposal, the outcome is determined by lot.

If the vote is tied in a principal division, the matter is tabled. If the vote is tied when the matter is raised a second time, the Speaker puts the proposal that the matter be referred back to the committee for further preparation. The matter shall be referred back if at least half of those voting concur. In any other case, the decision of the Riksdag is determined by lot.

After a matter has been referred back, it shall be taken up again in its entirety for settlement by the Chamber. If the vote is tied again in the principal division, the matter is determined by lot.

Referral back of a legislative matter settled by means of part- decisions

If the settlement of a legislative matter has been divided up into two or more part-decisions, the Riksdag may decide forthwith, after the last part-decision, and in response to a proposal from the Speaker or from a member, that the matter shall be referred back to the committee for further preparation. If the Riksdag decides to refer the matter back, the part- decisions are null and void. Decisions under this Article to refer a matter back to a committee may not be repeated.

If a decision requires other than a simple majority and more than one proposal has been put forward for a decision of this nature, the following applies. The Riksdag first selects one of the proposals in accordance with the rules generally in force. A decision is taken thereafter, applying the special procedure rule, whether this proposal shall be adopted or rejected. This procedure shall be applied even when there are several measures of draft legislation which are mutually incompatible and a motion has been put forward for one of them to be held in abeyance for a minimum of twelve months under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government.

If two or more motions are put forward concurrently which call for a referendum on the same measure of fundamental law which is being held in abeyance over an election, or which call for a declaration of no confidence in respect of the same minister, only one vote is taken.

A matter should be settled in the electoral period in which it is introduced. The Riksdag may, however, permit consideration of the matter to be deferred to the first parliamentary session of the next electoral period. Consideration of a matter put forward during a break in the work of the Chamber lasting until the first parliamentary session of the next electoral period is furthermore treated as having been deferred to that parliamentary session. The same shall apply to consideration of a matter which the Riksdag has not had time to settle on account of a break in the work of the Chamber in connection with the calling of an extraordinary election.

A matter relating to the national budget for the next following budget year shall be settled before the start of the budget year, if settlement cannot be deferred without detriment to adoption of the national budget.

A draft law held in abeyance for twelve months under Chapter 2, Article 22, paragraph one of the Instrument of Government shall be examined before the end of the following calendar year. If another draft law is closely connected with legislation held in abeyance under this rule, the Riksdag may determine that it shall be settled within the time applying to the examination of the draft law held in abeyance. If a matter under this paragraph cannot be settled within the time prescribed due to the calling of an extraordinary election, it shall be settled as soon as possible after the newly-elected Riksdag convenes.

A matter which has been held in abeyance over an election under the rules laid down in Chapter 8, Articles 14-17 of the Instrument of Government shall be settled at the first parliamentary session of the electoral period within which a final decision may first be taken under the rules laid down in the Instrument of Government, provided the matter has not already been rejected. Settlement may be deferred to another parliamentary session by decision of the Riksdag. A decision of this nature may be repeated. The matter shall be settled finally before the next ordinary election to the Riksdag.

In the case of deferral due to an extraordinary election, the rules laid down in Article 10, paragraph one, shall be applied. If a proposal for an amendment of fundamental law held in abeyance over an election, or any other decision which shall be taken in accordance with the same procedure is rejected in a referendum, the committee within whose remit the matter falls shall notify the matter to the Chamber.

The Riksdag may decide in an act of law to allocate State spending to expenditure areas.

If the Riksdag has taken a decision under paragraph one, it determines for the next following budget year, by means of a single decision, an expenditure limit for each expenditure area, indicating the highest figure to which the sum total of expenditure falling within the expenditure area may amount; and an estimate of State revenue under the national budget.

Decisions concerning appropriations or other expenditure under the national budget year may not be taken before a decision has been taken under paragraph two. Appropriations or other expenditure under the national budget shall be determined for each expenditure area by means of a single decision.

Decisions concerning appropriations for the current budget year which affect expenditure limits may not be taken before a decision has been taken approving adjustment of the expenditure limits.

If a Riksdag decision calls for executive action, the body responsible for executing the decision is informed by means of a written communication. Riksdag decisions on account of a Government bill or a submission shall always be communicated to the Government or the Riksdag body putting forward the submission by means of a written communication.

An interpellation shall deal with a specific subject, and shall include a statement of motivation. The Speaker determines whether an interpellation may be introduced. If the Speaker considers that an interpellation conflicts with fundamental law or with this Act, he or she shall refuse to allow the interpellation to be introduced, stating the reasons for the decision. If the Chamber requests nevertheless that the interpellation be introduced, the Speaker shall refer the matter to the Committee on the Constitution for decision. The Speaker may not refuse to allow the interpellation if the Committee has declared that it does not conflict with fundamental law or with this Act.

An interpellation is answered by a minister within two weeks from its referral to the minister. If a break occurs in the work of the Chamber during the two-week period, the period is extended accordingly.

If no reply is given within the period indicated in paragraph two, the minister shall inform the Riksdag why no reply will be given or why a reply is being held over. A statement of this nature shall not give rise to a debate.

An interpellation lapses if no reply is given during the parliamentary session at which it was introduced.

A question may be oral or written. It shall deal with a specific subject.

An oral question is put forward at a special Question Time arranged in the Chamber. It receives an immediate reply from a minister.

The Speaker determines who shall have the floor at Question Time. The Speaker may decide to limit interventions to no more than one minute.

A written question may include a brief introductory explanation. The Speaker determines whether a written question may be introduced. If the Speaker considers that a written question conflicts with fundamental law or with this Act, he or she shall refuse to allow the question to be introduced, stating the reasons for the decision. If the Chamber requests nevertheless that the question be introduced, the Speaker shall refer the matter to the Committee on the Constitution for decision. The Speaker may not refuse to allow the question if the Committee has declared that it does not conflict with fundamental law or with this Act.

A written question receives a written reply from a minister.

The rules in Articles 2 to 12 apply to elections held by the Chamber and the rules laid down in Articles 13 and 14 to elections within a committee or other Riksdag body elected by the Chamber in whole or in part.

Unless otherwise prescribed by the Riksdag, elections held by the Chamber shall be prepared by a special Nominations Committee appointed from within the Riksdag.

The Nominations Committee is appointed at the first meeting of the Chamber in the electoral period to serve to the end of the electoral period. Each party group which corresponds to a party which obtained at least four per cent of the national vote at the election to the Riksdag shall have a seat on the Nominations Committee. A further ten seats are distributed proportionately among the same party groups. Members are appointed applying the procedure set out in Article 12, paragraph one.

At elections of two or more persons, the Nominations Committee may present an agreed list. The list shall contain as many names as there are persons to be elected and shall be approved by all the members participating in the meeting of the Nominations Committee or by all save one.

The Speaker moves adoption of the agreed list and, if it is adopted, declares the persons listed to be elected. Election shall however be by secret ballot, if so requested by at least as many members as correspond to the figure obtained if the sum total of members entitled to vote is divided by the number of persons to whom the election relates, increased by one. If the figure obtained is not a whole number, it is rounded up to the next higher whole number. This election shall be held at a later meeting.

If it is prescribed that the incumbent of a particular post shall be elected separately, the election shall be held by acclamation. The election shall be held by secret ballot, however, if a member so requests. If the body or group responsible for preparing the election has put forward a unanimous proposal, the election by secret ballot shall not be held until a later meeting.

Elections are held by secret ballot unless otherwise prescribed in Article 3 or some other principal provision of this Act.

If two or more persons are to be elected by secret ballot, the seats are distributed proportionately among all the groups of Riksdag members participating in the election under a particular designation.

The seats are distributed between the groups by allocating them one by one to the group with the highest comparison figure on each occasion. The comparison figure is identical with the number of votes obtained by the group as long as it has not been allocated a seat. The comparison figure is calculated thereafter by dividing the votes obtained by the group by the number of seats the group has already been allocated, increased by one. When the comparison figures are tied, the matter is decided by lot.

If only one person is to be elected, that person is elected who obtains the most votes, unless otherwise prescribed by the Riksdag in a principal provision of this Act. In the event of a tied vote, the election is decided by lot.

Appeals against elections by secret ballot may be lodged by a member of the Riksdag with the Election Review Board. The election is valid irrespective of any appeal.

Elections relating to a period corresponding to the electoral period of the Riksdag are held as soon as possible after the start of the electoral period and are valid until the Riksdag holds a new election in the next electoral period, unless otherwise prescribed by the Riksdag.

If a new member has taken his or her seat in the Riksdag due to the revision of a Riksdag election result on appeal, elections held by the Riksdag earlier in the electoral period shall be held again if so requested by at least ten members of the Riksdag.

If two or more persons are to be elected, at least as many deputy members as there are ordinary members shall also be elected, unless otherwise prescribed by the Riksdag. The provisions relating to the election of ordinary members apply also to elections of deputy members. When the Riksdag has held an election for a Riksdag body and has appointed deputy members in this connection, it may approve a change in the number of deputy members of the body, provided the deputy members are no fewer in number than the ordinary members. An alternate member of the Riksdag who has been summoned to take up duty may be appointed a deputy member of a committee of which the absent member is a member, without increasing the number of deputy members of the committee. In such a case, the procedure laid down in Article 12, paragraph one, applies.

Unless otherwise prescribed by the Riksdag, an elected member of a Riksdag body shall be replaced in his or her absence by a deputy member belonging to the same party group. If this is not possible, deputy members have precedence in the order in which they were elected, or, if the election was held using an agreed list, in the order in which their names were listed.

Unless otherwise prescribed by the Riksdag, a person elected by the Chamber to a post for which membership of the Riksdag is a prerequisite shall resign the appointment if he or she leaves the Riksdag or is appointed Speaker of the Riksdag or a minister.

Only a Swedish citizen may hold a post appointed by election of the Riksdag. Provisions on the requirement of Swedish citizenship for the Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the Auditors General are laid down in Chapter 12, Article 6 of the Instrument of Government.

A person appointed to such a post by election of the Riksdag may not refuse the appointment without the Riksdag's consent.

If a person who has been elected to a body which at the start of the electoral period was appointed by means of an election of two or more persons resigns his or her appointment ahead of time, the party group or groups for which he or she was elected shall notify the Speaker of the name of a successor. The Speaker shall declare the person nominated as a successor to be elected. If no name is put forward, or if more than one person is nominated, the Speaker appoints a successor. If a seat becomes vacant ahead of time and the original election related to only one person, the same procedure is applied in a supplementary election for the remaining period as was applied in the case of the original election. The provisions of this rule apply unless otherwise prescribed by the Riksdag.

A body whose members are appointed by the Chamber in whole or in part shall elect from among its members a chair and one or more deputy chairs, unless otherwise prescribed.

Elections within a body under Article 13 are held by acclamation or by secret ballot, if a member so requests.

Elections of a Speaker and First, Second and Third Deputy Speakers under Chapter 4, Article 2 of the Instrument of Government shall be held at the first meeting of the Chamber in the Riksdag electoral period and are valid until the end of the electoral period. The Speakers are elected individually in the above order.

If the election is held by secret ballot, the candidate who receives more than half the votes cast is elected. If no such majority is obtained, a new election is held. If no candidate receives more than half the votes cast on this occasion either, a third election is held between the two candidates obtaining the highest number of votes in the second election. The person receiving the most votes in the third election is elected.

Rules concerning the election of the chair of the Election Review Board are laid down in Chapter 3, Article 12 of the Instrument of Government.

The Riksdag appoints a deputy for the chair of the Election Review Board by means of a separate election. The rules laid down in Chapter 3, Article 12 of the Instrument of Government concerning the chair apply also to the deputy.

When a chair or deputy chair is elected by secret ballot the procedure laid down in Article 1, paragraph two, is applied.

At an election by secret ballot of a Regent or a Deputy Regent under Chapter 5, Article 5 of the Instrument of Government, or a person qualified to hold office as a Regent ad interim under Chapter 5, Article 7 of the Instrument of Government, the procedure laid down in Article 1, paragraph two, is applied. The election is valid until the Riksdag determines otherwise.

The Ministerial Remunerations Board consists of a chair and two other members. These are elected individually by the Riksdag after each ordinary election to the Riksdag and serve until a new election for the Board has been held. No deputy members are appointed.

If, for reasons of ill health or for any other reason, a member is prevented from performing his or her duties, the Riksdag elects a replacement to serve in his or her place for as long as the problem persists.

The Board for the Remuneration of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the Auditors General consists of a chair and two other members. These are elected individually by the Riksdag after each ordinary election to the Riksdag and serve until a new election for the Board has been held. No deputy members are appointed.

If, for reasons of ill health or for any other reason, a member is prevented from performing his or her duties, the Riksdag elects a replacement to serve in his or her place for as long as the problem persists.

If an international agreement has been concluded with effect that the Riksdag shall appoint a delegation to an international organisation from among its members, rules concerning this may be laid down in a supplementary provision of this Article.

Elections of members of the General Council of the Riksbank under Chapter 9, Article 13 of the Instrument of Government are valid for the electoral period of the Riksdag.

Elections of members of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs under Chapter 10, Article 12 of the Instrument of Government are valid for the electoral period of the Riksdag.

A Deputy Speaker shall act as deputy for the Speaker on the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs. The number of deputy members elected shall be nine.

The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs meets behind closed doors. The Prime Minister may permit also a person other than a member, deputy member, minister or official to be present.

The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs convenes in response to a summons from the Speaker or, in his or her absence, a Deputy Speaker, or in response to a summons from two other members of the Council, for the purpose of ordering the War Delegation to replace the Riksdag under Chapter 15, Article 2 of the Instrument of Government. The proceedings are conducted by the Speaker, by a Deputy Speaker or, if none is present, by that member among those present who has been a member of the Riksdag longest. If two or more members have been members of the Riksdag equally long, the member who is senior in age has precedence. In the event of a tied vote when a vote is held on a decision, the opinion in which the chair concurs shall prevail.

The Riksdag elects Ombudsmen under Chapter 13, Article 6 of the Instrument of Government to supervise the application of laws and other statutes in public activities. The Parliamentary Ombudsmen shall be four in number, one Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman, and three Parliamentary Ombudsmen. The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman shall act as administrative director and shall determine the main thrust of the Ombudsmen's activities. The Riksdag may in addition elect one or more Deputy Ombudsmen. A Deputy Ombudsman shall have held office previously as a Parliamentary Ombudsman.

The Chief Parliamentary Ombudsman, the other Parliamentary Ombudsmen and the Deputy Ombudsmen are elected individually. When an Ombudsman is elected by secret ballot, the procedure laid down in Article 1, paragraph two, is applied.

A Parliamentary Ombudsman is elected for the period from the date of his or her election, or such later date as the Riksdag may determine, until a new election has been held in the fourth year thereafter and the person then elected has assumed office. The election shall however never be valid beyond the end of that year. A Deputy Ombudsman is elected for a period of two years from the date of his or her election, or such later date as the Riksdag may determine. In response to a proposal from the Committee on the Constitution, the Riksdag may however remove from office prior to that date a Parliamentary Ombudsman or a Deputy Ombudsman who has forfeited the confidence of the Riksdag.

If a Parliamentary Ombudsman retires ahead of time, the Riksdag shall elect a successor without delay to serve for a new four-year period.

The Riksdag shall elect three Auditors General, in accordance with Chapter 13, Article 8 of the Instrument of Government.

The Auditors General are elected individually. When an election is held by secret ballot, the procedure laid down in Article 1, paragraph two, is applied. Elections of Auditors General are valid from the date of election, or such later date as the Riksdag may determine, until a new election has been held in the seventh year thereafter and the person then elected has assumed office. The election shall however never be valid beyond the end of that year. An Auditor General may not be re- elected.

One of the Auditors General shall be Auditor General with administrative responsibility and shall be responsible for the administrative direction of the authority. The Riksdag determines which of the Auditors General shall assume this responsibility.

An Auditor General may not be an undischarged bankrupt, debarred from trading, or placed under administration under Chapter 11, Article 7 of the Parental Code. Nor may an Auditor General hold any employment or appointment or engage in any activity which might affect his or her independent status.

The Riksdag may remove an Auditor General from office in response to a request from the Committee on the Constitution.

If an Auditor General retires ahead of time, the Riksdag shall elect a successor without delay to serve for a new seven-year period.

The Riksdag elects the Parliamentary Council of the National Audit Office for the electoral period of the Riksdag. The Council consists of one member from each party group, which corresponds to a party which obtained at least four per cent of the national vote at the election to the Riksdag. No deputy members shall be appointed.

The Riksdag elects a chair and one or more deputy chairs from among the members of the Council. The chair and each deputy chair are elected individually.

The Riksdag shall elect a War Delegation from among its members, in accordance with Chapter 15, Article 2 of the Instrument of Government.

The War Delegation consists of the Speaker as chair, and fifty other members elected by the Riksdag for the electoral period of the Riksdag.

A member of the Riksdag is eligible to be a member of the War Delegation irrespective of whether he or she is also a minister. No deputy members are appointed for the War Delegation. If a member is permanently prevented from attending after the War Delegation has replaced the Riksdag, another member of the Riksdag is appointed to replace him or her as laid down in Chapter 7, Article 12, paragraph one.

The Riksdag may adopt more detailed rules concerning Riksdag bodies and appoint representatives in certain cases.

The Chamber appoints a Secretary-General. The Secretary-General of the Riksdag ensures that a record is kept of meetings of the Chamber. He or she dispatches the decisions of the Riksdag and assists the Speaker in the work of the Riksdag also in other respects. The Secretary-General of the Riksdag also acts as head of the Riksdag Administration and Secretary of the War Delegation.

The election of the Secretary-General of the Riksdag is held at the start of the parliamentary session following an ordinary election for the Riksdag and is valid until a new election of the Secretary-General is held. The election shall be prepared.

If the election is held by secret ballot, then the candidate who receives three quarters or more of the votes cast is elected. If three quarters or more of the votes cast are not obtained, a new election is held. If no candidate receives three quarters or more of the votes cast on this occasion either, the election will be prepared again.

The Riksdag committees and the Committee on European Union Affairs are assisted by secretariats which form part of the Riksdag Administration. The head of such a secretariat shall be a Swedish citizen.

The Riksdag draws up instructions for the Riksdag Administration.

The Riksdag Administration shall, in respect of the Riksdag and authorities under the Riksdag, and to the extent determined by the Riksdag:

• deal with questions relating to negotiations on terms and conditions of employment of personnel, and other staff matters;

  draw up proposals for appropriations under the national budget, but not in respect of the National Audit Office;

  deal with questions relating to the administration of the Riksdag in general, and questions concerning the financial administration of authorities under the Riksdag other than the Riksbank; and

  adopt provisions and recommendations concerning questions under points 1 to 3.

Decisions by a Riksdag body in an administrative matter against which appeals may be lodged under special provisions are examined by an administrative court in cases determined by the Riksdag, and by the Riksdag Appeals Board in other cases.

The Appeals Board consists of a chair, who shall hold currently, or shall have held previously, an appointment as a permanent salaried judge, and who is not a member of the Riksdag, and four other members elected by the Riksdag from among its members. The chair is elected separately. Elections for the Appeals Board are valid for the electoral period of the Riksdag.

The chair of the Appeals Board shall have a deputy. Rules applying to the chair apply also to the deputy chair. At an election by secret ballot of a chair or a deputy chair of the Appeals Board, the procedure laid down in Chapter 8, Article 1, paragraph two, is applied.

A member of the Riksdag shall receive remuneration out of public funds. Rules regarding such matters, other financial terms and conditions relating to the mandate, and compensation paid to an alternate for a member of the Riksdag are laid down in law.

Members of the Riksdag and Riksdag bodies shall have access to library services and shall be entitled in general to assistance in obtaining factual information for their Riksdag work.

Prosecution of officials listed below in respect of offences committed in the exercise of their office may be decided:

• only by the Committee on Finance in the case of prosecution of a member of the General Council of the Riksbank or a member of the Executive Board of the Riksbank;

  only by the Committee on the Constitution in the case of prosecution of a member of the Riksdag Board, the Election Review Board or the Riksdag Appeals Board, or of one of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen, of one of the Auditors General or of the Secretary-General of the Riksdag.

The rules laid down in paragraph one concerning prosecution of a member of the Executive Board of the Riksbank shall not apply in respect of an offence committed in the exercise of the Riksbank's decision-making powers under the Act on Exchange Control and Regulation of Credit (SFS 1992:1602).

The Riksdag receives written information about the work of the European Union from the Union's institutions in accordance with the protocols to the treaties.

In accordance with Chapter 10, Article 10 of the Instrument of Government, the Government shall keep the Riksdag continuously informed concerning developments within the framework of European Union cooperation.

The Government shall account to the Riksdag concerning its actions at the European Union and shall submit a written communication annually to the Riksdag reporting activities at the European Union.

The Government shall inform the Riksdag of its position regarding the documents put forward by the institutions of the European Union to the Riksdag and which the Government deems significant.

The committees shall monitor activities at the European Union within the subject areas laid down for each committee in Chapter 4, Articles 4 to 6, and associated supplementary provisions.

The Government shall deliberate with the committees in matters concerning European Union business decided by the committees. The committees may decide that these deliberations are to be open to the public. Otherwise the provisions on meetings open to the public and meetings behind closed doors under Chapter 4, Article 13, and associated supplementary provisions shall apply.

If so requested by at least five members of a committee, the committee shall decide to hold deliberations with the Government under paragraph two. The committee may reject such a request if such action would so delay consideration of the matter that serious detriment would result. In such a case, the committee shall enter in the record its reasons for rejecting the request.

Rules concerning the obligation of the Government and other State authorities to furnish information concerning European Union business to the committees are laid down in Chapter 4, Article 11.

The Riksdag shall consider green papers and white papers which are forwarded to the Riksdag in the manner laid down in this paragraph. After conferring with the special representatives of the party groups, the Speaker may determine that other documents from the European Union, other than draft legislative acts, shall also be considered in this manner. In accordance with Chapter 4, Articles 1 and 7, the Chamber shall refer such a document to the relevant committee under Chapter 4, Articles 4 to 6, and associated supplementary provisions for examination.

The provisions of Chapter 4, Article 8, apply to the committee's examination of the document. The committee shall obtain any necessary information from the Government.

The committee shall give an account of its examination in a statement to the Chamber. Chapter 4, Articles 15 and 16, apply to the decision regarding the statement.

The Chamber takes a decision on the statement in accordance with the rules laid down in Chapter 4, Article 10; Chapter 5, Articles 1, 3 to 7 and 10; and associated supplementary provisions.

Rules concerning the obligation of the Government and other State authorities to furnish information concerning European Union business to the committees are laid down in Chapter 4, Article 11.

The Riksdag shall examine whether draft legislative acts conflict with the principle of subsidiarity.

In accordance with the provisions laid down in Chapter 4, Articles 1 and 7, the Chamber shall refer a draft to the relevant committee under Chapter 4, Articles 4 to 6, and associated supplementary provisions, for examination.

Chapter 4, Article 8 is applicable to the committee's examination. Within two weeks from the day the committee so requests, the Government shall inform the committee of its assessment regarding the application of the principle of subsidiarity to the current draft.

If the committee considers that the draft conflicts with the principle of subsidiarity, the committee shall deliver a statement to the Chamber with a proposal that the Riksdag should send a reasoned opinion to the Presidents of the European Parliament, the Council and the Commission. The committee shall also deliver a statement to the Chamber if so requested by at least five members of the committee. Otherwise the committee shall report to the Chamber by means of an extract from the minutes that the draft legislative act does not conflict with the principle of subsidiarity.

The provisions of Chapter 4, Articles 15 and 16 apply to the committee's decision to deliver a statement. The Chamber makes a decision on the statement in accordance with the rules laid down in Chapter 4, Article 10; Chapter 5, Articles 1, 3 to 7 and 10; and associated supplementary provisions.

The Committee on the Constitution shall monitor the application of the principle of subsidiarity and shall inform the Chamber annually of its observations.

From among its members the Chamber shall elect members and deputy members to conventions set up to prepare treaty amendments in the European Union. If an election to the Riksdag takes place while a convention is deliberating, the Riksdag shall elect new members and deputy members to the convention after the election to the Riksdag.

Otherwise the provisions of Chapter 7, Articles 2 to 5 and 7 apply to the election of convention members and Chapter 7, Article 9 to the duties of their deputies. Convention members shall present information about the work of the convention at meetings of the Chamber.

The Riksdag shall approve or reject initiatives from the European Council to decide on an authorisation for the Council to amend the decision-making procedure in a particular area or in a particular case from unanimity to a qualified majority or from a special legislative procedure to the ordinary legislative procedure. The Riksdag shall similarly approve or reject proposals from the European Commission to specify aspects of family law that have cross-border consequences and that can be the subject of legislative acts adopted in accordance with the ordinary legislative procedure.

In accordance with Chapter 4, Articles 1 and 7, the Chamber shall refer initiatives to the relevant committee under Chapter 4, Articles 4 to 6, and associated supplementary provisions, for examination.

The provisions of Chapter 4, Article 8 apply to the committee's consideration. The committee shall obtain the necessary information from the Government. The committee shall present its proposals for a decision in a statement to the Chamber.

The provisions of Chapter 4, Articles 15 and 16 apply to the decision to deliver a statement.

The Chamber makes a decision on the statement in accordance with the rules laid down in Chapter 4, Article 10; Chapter 5, Articles 1, 3 to 7 and 10; and associated supplementary provisions.

The Riksdag shall inform the Presidents of the European Council, the Commission and the Council of its decision to reject an initiative or a proposal by means of a written communication.

The Riksdag shall appoint from among its members for each electoral period a Committee on European Union Affairs (the Committee on EU Affairs) to confer with the Government under Chapter 10, Article 10 of the Instrument of Government.

The Committee on EU Affairs shall consist of an odd number of members, but no fewer than fifteen.

At meetings of the Committee on EU Affairs, each party group represented on the Committee has the right to substitute for one member of the Committee a member of the parliamentary committee whose field of responsibility is affected by the issues under consideration at the Committee's deliberations with the Government. This right does not, however, apply to a party group which already has a member or deputy member on the Committee who is also a member of the parliamentary committee concerned.

The Government shall inform the Committee on EU Affairs of matters which are to be decided by the Council of the European Union. The Government shall also consult the Committee regarding the conduct of negotiations in the Council prior to decisions in the Council.

The Government shall deliberate with the Committee on EU Affairs concerning other matters associated with the work of the European Union, if so requested by the Committee on special grounds. The Government shall consult the Committee prior to meetings of the European Council.

The Committee on EU Affairs shall meet behind closed doors. The Committee may, however, determine that a meeting shall be open to the public, in whole or in part. The Committee may permit a person other than a member, deputy member, minister, official accompanying a minister or official of the Committee also to be present at a meeting behind closed doors.

A representative of a State authority shall not be obliged, during a public part of a meeting, to furnish information which is subject to secrecy rules at the authority.

A member, deputy member, or official of the Committee on EU Affairs may not without authority disclose any matter which the Government, or the Committee, has determined shall be kept secret, with regard to the security of the Realm or for any other reason of exceptional importance arising out of relations with another state or an international organisation.

A record shall be kept at meetings of the Committee on EU Affairs. A shorthand record shall be kept of statements made at meetings at which the Committee confers with the Government.