The Swedish king Carl XVI Gustaf
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Sweden is a constitutional
monarchy with a parliamentary form of government. The King, Carl XVI
Gustaf, today has only ceremonial functions as Head of State. |
Parliament consists of one chamber, whose members are directly elected
by proportional representation for four-year terms. Sweden has universal
suffrage from the age of 18. Voter turnout was 81.4% in the 1998 election.
The Social Democratic Party has held power alone or in coalitions during the periods 1932-1976 and 1982-19991 as well as from 1994 and onwards, while the
non-socialist parties were in government 1976-1982 and 1991-1994. After the 1998 elections, the Social Democratic Party formed a minority government with 131 of the 349 seats in Parliament.
The Parliamentary Ombudsmen investigate suspected abuses of authority by civil servants. Other ombudsmen protect the public by keeping a watchful eye on consumer rights, ethnic and sex discrimination, press ethics, the rights of children and young people, and persons with disabilities. Most government documents are open to inspection by the public and mass media at any time. |
The parliament building
The Swedish parliament
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