Sweden is a parliamentary democracy that is governed nationally, regionally and at a European level.
At national level, the people are represented by the Riksdag (the Parliament), which has legislative power. The Government governs the nation, implements the decisions of the Riksdag and proposes new laws or amendments to legislation. It is assisted in its work by the Government Offices with a number of ministries, and some 300 government agencies. One of these is the National Board of Health and Welfare, which is accountable to under the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs.
The task of the government agencies is to implement the decisions that have been taken by the Riksdag and the Government. They are autonomous in the sense that they act on their own responsibility, in accordance with the law and the guidelines laid down by the Government. However, the work and results of the agencies are monitored and evaluated by the Government.
Regional level
Sweden is divided into 21 counties. Each county has a county administrative board, which is the Government’s representative at the regional level. The county administrative board’s responsibilities include supervision of the municipalities’ social services, traffic safety, environmental work and nature conservation, to name just a few.
At county level there is also the county council, whose decision-makers are directly elected by the population of the county. By far the most important field of responsibility for the county council is health and medical services. Activities are financed primarily from taxation and to some extent from fees and government subsidies.
Local level
Sweden is divided into 290 municipalities. Each one has an elected council that has powers over most matters of local administration such as schools, preschools, care of the elderly, social services, housing, roads, water supply etc. Activities at this level are financed primarily from taxation and to some extent from fees and government subsidies.
European level
Sweden’s joining the EU in 1995 gave rise to an additional level of government – the European level. As a member of the EU, Sweden implements EU regulations and takes part in the decision-making process when new joint rules are to be drawn up and adopted.