Sweden — a democracy
Here you will find information about your democratic rights in Sweden and about Sweden’s constitutional laws.
Sweden's Democracy
Sweden is a democracy where public power is based on the people. In Sweden, we elect politicians who run in four general elections: elections to parliament, to the regional council, to the municipal council and to the European Parliament. The elections within parliament, region and municipality take place every four years and the elections to the European Parliament take place every five years. In the next section, How Sweden is governed, you will find information about Parliament, the region, the municipality and the European Parliament.
Voting in elections
There are different requirements for voting in the different elections:
- In all elections, you must be 18 to vote.
- In the parliamentary elections, you need to be a Swedish citizen and have been registered in Sweden at some point in your life.
- If you are not a Swedish citizen, you may vote in the elections to the regional council and municipal council when you have been registered in Sweden for at least three years.
- To vote in the European elections, you need to be a citizen of an EU country and registered in Sweden.
Voter turnout is important for Sweden’s democracy to work. It is therefore important that everyone who can vote does so. Every vote counts and allows us to influence how Sweden is governed.
Freedom of opinion and the responsibility that comes with it
Even if you are not allowed to vote in elections, you can influence by engaging in political issues. In Sweden, we have freedom of opinion, which means that everyone has the right to freely express their views without government intervention. But this freedom entails a responsibility. You may have opinions, but if you express them or act on them in a way that is offensive or harmful to others, it could be a crime.
Film Tip - Democracy in Sweden
Watch the film Democracy in Sweden
External link, opens in new window.
The “Start Talking About” films are jointly produced by MILSA education platform and InformationSverige.se.
Swedish laws
The fundamental laws
Sweden has four constitutions in place to protect Swedish democracy. The constitutions are more difficult to change than other Swedish laws. Two different votes are required by Parliament, which votes in favour of an amendment to the constitution. The two different votes must have a parliamentary election between them in order for the Swedish people to also have the chance to express its opinion.
The four constitutions are:
- The Instrument of Government, which decides how Sweden should be governed. That all public power is based on the Swedish people. Popular rule (that the Swedish people may vote) is based on the right to free opinions and universal and equal voting rights.
- The Act of Succession regulates the Swedish succession and thereby who should be the head of state.
- The Freedom of the Press Act describes the right to write and distribute books, newspapers and other printed journals without them being censored and faced by other obstacles to publication.
- The Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression also contains the right to disseminate information without censorship, just like the Freedom of the Press Act, but instead of printed writing, it focuses on spoken words that can be disseminated via TV, film, radio and technical recording, for example.
Read more about Sweden’s constitutions on the Riksdag’s website External link, opens in new window.
Distribution of information and source criticism
In society, information is distributed in different ways, for example between friends and colleagues, through TV and radio, and on social media. It is important to be able to review and assess information. Being source-critical means that you should be able to evaluate whether information is reliable. Questions you can ask yourself are:
- Who is behind the information?
- Why is the information available?
- Is it still relevant?
- Can the information be found through other sources?
- Where did you get the information?
Film tip - Distribution of information and source criticism
Watch the film Distribution of Information and Source Criticism External link, opens in new window.
The “Start Talking About” films are jointly produced by MILSA education platform and InformationSverige.se.
Freedom of religion
In Sweden, we have for a long time had the right to freedom of religion. This freedom is protected by our constitution and it means that you have the right to belong to the religion that you believe in and to practice it the way you want. You also have the right not to believe in any religion at all. Everyone has the right to change religion whenever they want and you don’t have to belong to the same religion as your family. Discrimination on the basis of a person’s choice of religion or choice not to have a religion must not occur in Sweden.
Sweden is considered a secular country and our state is completely separated from religion. We have previously been a Christian country and we still have many holidays that are connected with the Christian faith, such as Christmas and Easter.
Freedom of association
Freedom of association in Sweden means that you have the right to participate in associations and to engage in issues that are important to you. Your involvement in an association should not lead to negative consequences for you.
