Isabella Carter
Sweden has had a written constitution since the mid-14th century, when the Landslag, or National Law of King Magnus Eriksson, was drawn up. The modern Swedish constitution, however, was written in 1809, and revised in 1974 and 2012. The constitution 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.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date written | 1809 |
| Date revised | 1974, 1975, 2010, 2011, 2012 |
| Type of state | Constitutional monarchy |
| Number of fundamental laws | 4 |
| Fundamental laws | Instrument of Government, Act of Succession, Freedom of the Press Act, Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression |
| Other laws | Riksdag Act |
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What You'll Learn
Sweden's constitution was written in 1809
The Swedish constitution has been revised several times since 1809, including in 1974, when Sweden's current constitutional form was established. This revision, along with related acts, modernised and simplified the text while strengthening fundamental rights and freedoms. For example, protection against unfair discrimination was extended to include sexual orientation. The 1974 revision also affirmed the responsibility of public authorities to protect children's rights and promote the preservation and development of ethnic minorities' culture and language.
The Instrument of Government is one of four fundamental laws that make up the Swedish constitution. The other three are the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act, and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. Together, these laws constitute a basic framework that stands above other laws and regulations, defining which agreements take precedence over normal Swedish law.
The Freedom of the Press Act, in particular, has a long history in Sweden, dating back to 1766 when it was largely the work of the proto-Liberal Cap Party politician Anders Chydenius. This Act abolished censorship and restricted limitations on criticising the Lutheran state church and the royal house exclusively. The Act has been amended several times, including in 1772, 1810, 1812, 1949, and 1982.
The Swedish constitution, like those of most democratic countries, serves to inform and establish a framework for the exercise of political power. It is written in a language that is understandable to all citizens and can be revised through a careful process, including two identical decisions of the Riksdag separated by a general election.
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It was revised in 1974
Sweden's constitution was revised in 1974 (and again in 1975) to create the Government of Sweden in its present constitutional form. This was written into the Instrument of Government of 1974, which, although technically adherent to constitutional monarchy, established the separation of powers between the executive branch (the king) and the legislative branch (the Riksdag of the Estates). The king and the Riksdag of the Estates were given joint power over legislation, with the king's role in government no longer independent of the Privy Council.
The Swedish constitution 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. All the laws have been subject to amendment. The constitution is founded on the principles of popular sovereignty, representative democracy, and parliamentarism. The reigning monarch is the head of state but does not exert any political power; the responsibilities of the monarch are ceremonial only. Succession is accorded to the firstborn child regardless of sex.
The Freedom of the Press Act, dating back to 1766, was amended several times, including in 1772, when it was changed to curtail freedom of the press, and in 1810, when it was restored following the overthrow of Gustav III's son. It was amended again in 1812, 1949, and 1982 to ensure freedom of the press. The Act states that no Swedish citizen can be prosecuted for publishing written material without prior hindrance by a public authority, except before a lawful court, and only if the content contravenes an express provision of law.
The Basic Laws of Sweden are the four constitutional laws that regulate the Swedish political system, acting like the constitutions of most countries. The four laws are: the Instrument of Government, the Freedom of the Press Act, the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, and the Act of Succession. Together, they constitute a basic framework that stands above other laws and regulations and defines which agreements are above normal Swedish law.
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The constitution has four fundamental laws
The Swedish Constitution, established in 1974, consists of four fundamental laws that collectively form the basic framework of the Swedish political system. These laws are the Instrument of Government, the Freedom of the Press Act, the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, and the Act of Succession.
The Instrument of Government (Swedish: Regeringsformen) outlines the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches of the Swedish government. It establishes the roles and responsibilities of the king and the Riksdag of the Estates in the legislative process, marking a shift from the previous constitutional autocracy.
The Freedom of the Press Act (Swedish: Tryckfrihetsförordningen), first introduced in 1766, guarantees the right of every Swedish citizen to publish written content without prior hindrance by public authorities. It protects individuals from prosecution based on the content of their published work, except in cases where the content violates express provisions of the law enacted to maintain public order.
The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression (Swedish: Yttrandefrihetsgrundlagen) complements the Freedom of the Press Act by further safeguarding freedom of expression. It ensures that individuals are protected from coercion to divulge political, religious, or cultural opinions in their interactions with public institutions. This law also prohibits the recording of an individual's political opinions in public registers without their consent.
The Act of Succession (Swedish: Successionsordningen) is the fourth fundamental law and plays a crucial role in the Swedish constitutional framework. While the specifics of this law are not publicly available, it contributes to the overall structure and functioning of the Swedish government and monarchy.
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It establishes a framework for the exercise of political power
Sweden's constitution, dating back to 1809, has been revised several times, most recently in 2012. It 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. These laws establish a framework for the exercise of political power and can only be changed after careful consideration.
The Instrument of Government outlines the Swedish form of government and how it operates. It establishes the country's commitment to popular sovereignty, representative democracy, and parliamentarism. While Sweden is a constitutional monarchy, the reigning monarch has no political power and serves only ceremonial functions. The Instrument of Government also sets out the roles and responsibilities of the various branches of government, including the executive and legislative branches.
The Act of Succession outlines the rules for royal succession, providing that the firstborn child, regardless of sex, will succeed the monarch. This law also establishes the joint power of the king and the Riksdag of the Estates over legislation, with the king playing a central but non-independent role in governance.
The Freedom of the Press Act guarantees the right of every Swedish citizen to publish written content without prior hindrance by public authorities. It also protects citizens from prosecution for the content they publish, except in cases where it violates express provisions of the law necessary to preserve public order. This law has a long history in Sweden, dating back to 1766, and has undergone several amendments to reflect changing political circumstances.
The Riksdag (Parliament) Act regulates the organisation and procedures of the Riksdag, including the appointment of government officials and the functioning of state bodies. It occupies an intermediate position between fundamental and ordinary law, with some chapters requiring only a simple parliamentary majority for amendment. The Riksdag Act was last updated in 2014.
Together, these four fundamental laws provide a framework for the exercise of political power in Sweden, safeguarding citizens' rights and freedoms while establishing the principles and procedures that govern the nation.
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The constitution was amended in 2009
The Swedish Constitution, also known as Sweden's fundamental laws, was amended in 2009. The four fundamental laws of Sweden's constitution are the Instrument of Government, the Act of Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act, and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. Together, these laws constitute a basic framework that stands above other laws and regulations and defines which agreements are above normal Swedish law.
The Riksdag approved Proposition 2009/10:80, "A Reformed Constitution" in 2009, making substantial amendments to the Instrument of Government and related acts. The amendment modernized and simplified the text, strengthened several fundamental rights and freedoms, and extended protection against unfair discrimination to include sexual orientation.
The 2009 amendment also affirmed the responsibility of public authorities to protect children's rights and promote the preservation and development of ethnic minorities' culture and language, specifically mentioning the Sami people. This amendment further strengthened judicial powers, making it easier to determine whether new laws contravene the constitution or the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.
The Freedom of the Press Act, dating back to 1766, was also amended several times. The Act abolished censorship and restricted limitations on retroactive legal measures for criticism of the Lutheran state church and the royal house. While the Act was amended after Gustav III's coup d'etat in 1772 to curtail freedom of the press, it was restored in 1810 following the overthrow of his son and further amended in 1812, 1949, and 1982 to ensure freedom of expression.
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Frequently asked questions
Sweden's constitution was first written in the mid-14th century. It has been amended and revised several times since, most recently in 2012.
The Swedish Constitution 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 Swedish Constitution is based on the principles of popular sovereignty, representative democracy, and parliamentarism. It establishes a framework for the exercise of political power and safeguards citizens' rights and freedoms.
There is no set timeframe for amendments to the Swedish Constitution. However, amendments must go through a careful process involving two identical decisions of the Riksdag, separated by a general election.
