Omar Bennett
Sweden has a written constitution that is based on four fundamental laws: the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act, and the Riksdag (Parliament) Act. The constitution, which dates back to 1809 and was revised in 1974 and 1975, establishes the Swedish form of government and outlines how the parliament and government are appointed and function. It also includes protections for citizens' rights and freedoms.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Constitution | 1809, revised in 1974 (1975) |
| Type of State | Constitutional Monarchy |
| Number of Fundamental Laws | 4 |
| Names of the Fundamental Laws | Instrument of Government, Act of Succession, Freedom of the Press Act, Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression |
| Other Laws | Riksdag Act, National Law Code of 1734, Church of Sweden Act |
| Rights and Freedoms | Protection against unfair discrimination, protection of children's rights, promotion of ethnic minorities' culture and language |
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What You'll Learn
Sweden's constitution is based on four fundamental laws
The Instrument of Government, established in 1974, grants the Riksdag the power to commission a prime minister, who is appointed when the majority of the Riksdag does not vote against the nominee. The prime minister then appoints members of the government, including heads of ministries. The Instrument of Government also sets out the most fundamental principles of Swedish democracy.
The Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression work together to protect the people's freedom of expression and opinion. The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression also protects the right to broadcast radio and television and to publish texts, images, and films on the internet.
The Act of Succession, established in 1810, is a treaty between the royal dynasty and the realm represented by the four Estates to be valid for all times. This law contains the rules on who can become King or Queen of Sweden.
These four fundamental laws constitute a basic framework that stands above other laws and regulations in Sweden, defining which agreements are above normal Swedish law. They are designed to protect Sweden's democracy and are therefore more difficult to amend than other laws.
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The constitution was first written in the 14th century
Sweden has four fundamental laws that act as its constitution: the Instrument of Government, the Freedom of the Press Act, the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, and the Act of Succession. These laws constitute a basic framework that stands above other laws and regulations and define which agreements are themselves above normal Swedish law.
Sweden's switch from elective to hereditary monarchy in 1544 gave rise to the country's first law of constitutional character. This came in the form of a treaty between the royal dynasty and the realm represented by the four Estates to be valid for all times. The current Act of Succession, enacted in 1810, is a treaty between the old Riksdag of the Estates and the House of Bernadotte, regulating the right to accede to the Swedish throne.
The Instrument of Government of 1974, though technically adherent to constitutional monarchy, created the Government of Sweden in its present constitutional form. The Riksdag approved "A Reformed Constitution" in 2009, making substantial amendments to the Instrument of Government and related acts. This amendment modernized and simplified the text, strengthened several fundamental rights and freedoms, and extended protection against unfair discrimination to include discrimination based on sexual orientation.
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The constitution was revised in 1974
Sweden's constitution was revised in 1974. This revision is known as the 1974 Instrument of Government and is one of the four Basic Laws of Sweden that act as the country's constitution. The other three are the Freedom of the Press Act, the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, and the Act of Succession.
The 1974 revision created the Government of Sweden in its present constitutional form. It grants the Riksdag the power to commission a prime minister, who is appointed when the majority of the Riksdag does not vote against the nominee. The prime minister then appoints members of the government, including the heads of ministries. The government collectively decides on issues after hearing the report of the head of the ministry concerned. At least five members of the government need to be present for a decisional quorum to be made.
The 1974 constitution also outlines the rights and freedoms of Swedish citizens. For example, it states that freedom of assembly and freedom to demonstrate may be limited in certain cases. It also defines the limitations that may be imposed on these freedoms, stating that they must satisfy a purpose acceptable in a democratic society and must not constitute a threat to the free shaping of opinion.
In 2009, the Riksdag approved substantial amendments to the 1974 constitution, modernizing and simplifying the text and strengthening several fundamental rights and freedoms. These amendments extended protection against unfair discrimination to include sexual orientation and affirmed the responsibility of public authorities to protect children's rights and promote the preservation and development of ethnic minorities' culture and language.
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The constitution includes freedom of assembly and freedom to demonstrate
Sweden's constitution, also known as the country's fundamental laws, consists of four laws: the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act, and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. These laws regulate the Swedish political system and act as a framework that stands above other laws and regulations.
The Freedom of Expression law applies to various forms of media, including radio, television, films, and websites, and is strongly protected by the Swedish Constitution. It includes the freedom to express thoughts, opinions, and feelings through speech, writing, or images without interference from the authorities. This freedom, however, has limitations, such as not extending to slander or threats against a national or ethnic group.
The Freedom of Assembly and the Freedom to Demonstrate are also protected by the Swedish Constitution. These rights allow individuals to organise or attend meetings for information, expression of opinion, or artistic purposes, as well as to participate in demonstrations in public places. The Swedish Police Authority is responsible for ensuring that public gatherings can be held while maintaining public order and safety.
While these freedoms are fundamental, they are not absolute. In certain situations, they may be limited, particularly when it comes to preserving public order, ensuring public safety, maintaining the security of the Realm, or addressing an epidemic. Any limitations must be imposed only to satisfy a purpose acceptable in a democratic society and must not go beyond what is necessary.
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The constitution includes the Freedom of the Press Act
Sweden's constitution is governed by four fundamental laws: the Instrument of Government (Swedish: Regeringsformen), the Freedom of the Press Act (Swedish: Tryckfrihetsförordningen), the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (Swedish: Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen), and the Act of Succession (Swedish: Successionsordningen).
The Freedom of the Press Act is derived from the Freedom of the Press Act of 1766, which is regarded as the world's first law supporting freedom of the press and freedom of information. The 1766 Act abolished the censorship of all printed publications, including those imported from abroad (excluding academic and theological texts), and guaranteed public access to documents produced by government agencies. However, strong punishments for writing against the state or king were maintained, and control was transferred from the public censor to the publishers.
The Freedom of the Press Act of 1766 was passed during a period of declining monarchy in Sweden, which led to an increase in the importance of the Riksdag (the parliament). The Riksdag retained its four chambers (for nobility, clergy, townsmen, and farmers), but two strong parties emerged: the "Hats" and the "Nightcaps". During the reign of King Adolf Frederick, the Nightcaps sought the liberalization of Swedish society, which sparked intense political debates and a proliferation of printed political pamphlets. The public censor's participation in these debates rendered the censorship process inherently flawed. Influenced by Anders Chydenius, a liberal pastor and member of the Nightcaps, the Riksdag passed the Freedom of the Press Act, which abolished censorship and granted citizens access to official documents to encourage the free exchange of ideas.
The Freedom of the Press Act was further elaborated in 1810 and revised in 1812. This law included the right to ban a publication if it endangered public order, and this was used many times against newspapers that criticized the government in the 1830s and 1840s. This law was removed in 1844. The Act was restricted during World War II, and a constitutional commission was appointed in 1944 to draft a new and strengthened version. This new act was adopted by the Riksdag in 1949 and is still in effect.
The Freedom of the Press Act, along with the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, is one of the two "basic media acts" in Sweden. The Act regulates matters concerning freedom of the press and the principle of public access to official records. The Swedish Constitution states that all citizens have the right to freely seek information, organize demonstrations, form political parties, and practice their religion.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Sweden has a written constitution that is based on four fundamental laws: the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act, and the Riksdag (Parliament) Act.
The four fundamental laws are based on the principles of popular sovereignty, representative democracy, and parliamentarism.
Sweden's constitution, dating back to 1809 and revised in 1974 (and again in 1975), has undergone several amendments. In 2009, the Riksdag approved substantial amendments to the Instrument of Government, modernizing and simplifying the text while strengthening fundamental rights and freedoms.
The reigning monarch is the head of state but holds no political power. Their responsibilities are ceremonial, while the prime minister, appointed by the speaker of the Riksdag, leads the government and makes all government decisions.
Sweden's constitution, with its four fundamental laws, acts similarly to the constitutions of most countries. However, the Parliament Act (Riksdagsordningen) is unique, occupying a middle ground between fundamental and ordinary law.
