The Government at work
The Government governs the nation and is the driving force in the process by which laws are changed, thus influencing the development of society in broad outline. But the Government is responsible to the Riksdag and must have the support of the Riksdag to be able to carry through its policies.
The Government governs the nation and discharges a number of functions in its capacity as an authority. This means, among other things, that the Government:
- presents bills to the Riksdag
- implements Riksdag decisions
- allocates the funds appropriated by the Riksdag for expenditure on items in the budget
- represents Sweden in the EU
- enters into agreements with other states
- directs the activities and operations of the executive branch
- takes decisions in certain administrative areas not covered by other authorities
The Government presents bills to the Riksdag
The Government is the driving force in the process by which our laws are changed. The changes a government wishes to make are set out in legislative proposals (bills) which are then laid before the Riksdag for a decision. The Government is also responsible for drawing up the annual Budget Bill. Government bills may be approved unaltered or - if their contents are unacceptable to a majority of Riksdag members - amended.
The Governments chances of changing society are, of course, also affected by international developments, government finances, etc.
Another precondition for the Government to be able to pursue its policies is that work in the Government Offices is well organised and efficient. Read more under The Government Offices at work .
The Government implements Riksdag decisions and directs the activities and operations of the executive branch
When the Riksdag has taken a decision in a matter, for example a new legislative proposal or the Budget Bill, it is the Governments task to ensure that the decision is implemented. A new law may involve the introduction of new rights or responsibilities and thereby entail new tasks for the agency responsible for the matter. New legislation prohibiting smoking in restaurants, for example, would involve new tasks for the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Directing the operations of central government agencies to ensure that new laws are observed thus forms a major and important part of a governments remit. A key instrument in this connection are the Governments annual appropriation directions which define an agencys operational goals in addition to placing the allocated funds at its disposal.
The Government represents Sweden in the EU
The Government represents Sweden in the EU. The Prime Minister and the Minister for Foreign Affairs take part in EU summit meetings. Ministers take part in the meetings of the Councils of Ministers and pursue the issues the Government considers important.
The Government exercises decision-making powers in certain matters
The Government also discharges tasks in its capacity as an authority. That is to say it takes decisions in certain matters involving individuals and non-governmental organisations, e.g. appointments to senior posts at government agencies and decisions on the distribution of funds to the agencies. The directives which the Government issues are known as ordinances.
Unlike their counterparts in many other countries, Swedish ministers have limited opportunities to take independent decisions. All government decisions are taken collectively by the Government as a whole after the matter has been well prepared and agreement reached. The Prime Minister bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring that policies are coordinated and follow the same line.
Read more about the processing of government business and how the Government takes decisions under Processing and preparing government business.
