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Direct Democracy

Sweden Sweden

DD002

Direct Democracy Provisions (National Level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy Procedures at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: There are two types of referendums in Sweden; advisory referendums and referendums in a constitutional matter. Sweden has so far only held advisory referendums (six of them, the latest in 2003).
Source: The Instrument of the Government Ch. 8, Section 4, 15, 16: Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Start/Bestall/Sprakversioner/English---engelska1/Sveriges-grundlagar-och-riksdagsordningen1/ (2012); Act on National Referenda (SFS 1979:369): http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/06/97/09/436f8d27.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2014/08/04
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD003

Mandatory referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Mandatory Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments: Since 1980, it has been possible to hold referendums on pending changes to the Constitution. This is also the case for approval of international agreements that require changes to the Constitution and for transferal of decision-making authority to the EU and other international organisations.
Source: The Instrument of the Government, Ch. 8, Section 16: Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Start/Bestall/Sprakversioner/English---engelska1/Sveriges-grundlagar-och-riksdagsordningen1/ (2012);
Verified: 2014/08/04
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD004

Optional referendums (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Optional Referendums at the national level?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: The Instrument of the Government Ch. 8, Section 4, 15: Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Start/Bestall/Sprakversioner/English---engelska1/Sveriges-grundlagar-och-riksdagsordningen1/ (2012); Act on National Referenda (SFS 1979:369): http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/06/97/09/436f8d27.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2014/08/04
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD005

Citizens' Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Citizen’s Initiatives at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/08/04
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD006

Agenda Initiatives (national level)
Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Agenda Initiatives at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/08/04
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD007


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Recalls at national level?
Answer: b. No
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm
Verified: 2014/08/04
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD129


Question:Are the results of referenda always binding, never binding or sometimes binding?
Answer: b. Sometimes binding
Comments: The following two conditions must be met for a referendum to be binding. The number of those voting against the proposal must be greater than those in favour. In addition to this, those who have voted against must constitute more than half of those who have cast valid votes in the parliamentary election. If this majority is obtained, the newly elected Riksdag may not make any change to the Constitution.
Source: The Instrument of the Government Ch. 8, Section 16: Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Start/Bestall/Sprakversioner/English---engelska1/Sveriges-grundlagar-och-riksdagsordningen1/ (2012); Fact sheet on referenda provided by the Information Department of the Riksdag: www.riksdagen.se/.../Faktablad_E14.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2014/08/04
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD130


Question:Are the types of issues to vote upon in a referendum constitutional changes only, other issues only or both constitutional and other issues?
Answer: c. Both constitutional and other issues
Comments:
Source: The Instrument of the Government Ch. 8, Section 4, 15, 16: Official Website of the Parliament: http://www.riksdagen.se/sv/Start/Bestall/Sprakversioner/English---engelska1/Sveriges-grundlagar-och-riksdagsordningen1/ (2012); Act on National Referenda (SFS 1979:369): http://www.sweden.gov.se/content/1/c6/06/97/09/436f8d27.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2014/08/04
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
DD131


Question:Are there any Legal Provisions for Direct Democracy at sub-national levels (regional or local)?
Answer: a. Yes
Comments:
Source: Direct Democracy: The International IDEA Handbook (2008) http://www.idea.int/publications/direct_democracy/index.cfm (2012); Fact sheet on referenda provided by the Information Department of the Riksdag: www.riksdagen.se/.../Faktablad_E14.pdf (2012)
Verified: 2014/08/04
(Found a mistake? Please let us know.)
The data on this page is continuously updated. Additional, but potentially outdated material is available here.