Sweden's democratic system

Sweden is a parliamentary democracy, which means that all public power proceeds from the people. General elections, which are held every four years, are an important expression of the fact that we in Sweden live in a democracy.

Some seven million people in the country who are entitled to vote are given an opportunity to influence which parties will represent them in the Riksdag, county councils and municipalities. To be entitled to vote, you must have reached the age of 18 not later than on election day. This applies to all elections. Furthermore, there are special rules for the different elections.

• Parliamentary election To be entitled to vote in the parliamentary election, you must be a citizen of Sweden and be or have been entered in the national population register.
• Municipal and county council elections To be entitled to vote in municipal and county council elections, you must be a citizen of Sweden
  - or a citizen of another EU member state
  - or a citizen of Iceland or Norway
  - or have been entered in the population register in Sweden for three consecutive years before election day and be registered in the municipality/county council

However, there are many ways of influencing Swedish politics, for example by joining a political party or sending in comments on reports presented by the Government or by taking part in referendums.

3.1 The Swedish model of government administration - three levels

Sweden has three levels of government - national, regional and local. In addition, there is the European level which has acquired increasing importance following Sweden's entry into the EU.

• National level At the national level, the Swedish people are represented by the Riksdag (Swedish parliament) which has legislative powers. Proposals for new laws are presented by the Government which also implements decisions taken by the Riksdag. The Government is assisted in its work by the Government Offices and central government agencies and administrations.
  Examples: the police, the armed forces
• Regional level Sweden is divided into 21 counties. Political tasks at this level are undertaken by the county councils. The operations of the county council are financed by government grants and county council taxes and charges and are regulated by the Local Government Act. At the regional level there are also county administrative boards which are government bodies in the counties. Some public authorities also operate at regional and local levels, e.g. through county boards.
  Examples: health and medical care, public transport
• Local level Sweden has 290 municipalities. Each municipality has an elected assembly, the municipal council, which takes decisions on municipal matters. The municipal council appoints the municipal executive board, which leads municipality work. Operations are financed by local taxes, government grants, and charges, and are chiefly regulated by the Local Government Act. Other essential legislation for the municipalities includes the Social Services Act and the Education Act.
  Examples: schools, child care
• European level On entering the EU in 1995, Sweden acquired a further level of government: the European level. As a member of the Union, Sweden is subject to the EU acquis communautaire and takes part in the decision-making process when new common rules are drafted and approved. Sweden is represented by the Government in the European Council of Ministers which is the EU's principal decision-making body.