2024-06-182023/24:KrU7 · p.5KrUCulture
Democratic governance as a democracy condition
Democratic structure as a condition for civil-society support
What's at stake: How the democratic-structure criterion is applied affects which kinds of organizations - for example those with national statutes binding all local chapters - can receive state support, and a stricter application risks forcing organizations and federations to change their statutes.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should investigate the criterion of democratic structure as a condition for state support to civil-society organizations, in light of criticism of how the criterion has been applied, or whether the current arrangement should remain unchanged.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee sees no reason at this time to investigate the democratic-structure criterion, since according to the government no application problems have emerged that would warrant addressing the issue in the current inquiry, and therefore rejects the motion calling for a review; the committee notes at the same time that grant-givers remain free to design such conditions themselves in their own regulations.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 3 (V)
The reservation (V) points out that the Swedish Agency for Youth and Civil Society has in recent years departed significantly from Swedish associational tradition when assessing democratic structure - including for organizations with national statutes binding all local chapters - and demands that the government investigate the criterion in light of the criticism and report back to the Riksdag.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 3 by V.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/20/0/4 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| S | No | Yes 93/0/0/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | No | Yes 15/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 13/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | No | Yes 60/0/0/8 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 63/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2023/24:2869 by Vasiliki Tsouplaki et al. (V) claim 4.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2023/24:2869 av Vasiliki Tsouplaki m.fl. (V) yrkande 4.
Riksdag decision: The government has proposed new rules on state subsidies to religious communities. The new legislation shall contain provisions on when a religious community other than the Church of Sweden is entitled to state subsidies, state fee assistance, and that the definition of religious community is changed. The new regulations also mean that a democracy condition shall apply to support for religious communities and to support from the General Estates Fund. The Riksdag approved the government's bill and rejected proposals in motions, of which approximately 40 are from the regular motion period 2023. The new rules enter into force on 1 January 2025.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants to lower the membership threshold for state support to religious communities to 1,000 members. (V) — Reservation 3
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan makes it a cornerstone to build and support independent and democratic popular movements and pushes for conditions that ensure strong independence for popular education and civil society, with anchoring in associational democracy.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes it a cornerstone to build and support independent and democratic popular movements and pushes for conditions that ensure strong independence for popular education and civil society, with anchoring in associational democracy. The counter-proposal's requirement that the agency's application of the criterion democratic structure is investigated and reported to the Riksdag protects precisely that associational tradition. The plan therefore speaks in favor of the requirement.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör det till en grundpelare att bygga och stötta självständiga och demokratiska folkrörelser och driver på för villkor som säkrar en stark självständighet för folkbildning och föreningsliv, med förankring i föreningsdemokrati. Motförslagets krav på att myndighetens tillämpning av kriteriet demokratisk uppbyggnad utreds och redovisas för riksdagen skyddar just den föreningstraditionen. Planen talar därför för kravet.
- independent popular movementsdecisive»självständiga och demokratiska folkrörelser är därför en grundpelare i« (party programme ↗)“independent and democratic popular movements are therefore a cornerstone in”
- strong independence for civil society»Vi driver på för villkor som säkrar en stark« (party programme ↗)“We push for conditions that ensure a strong”
- anchoring in associational democracy»demokrati och stå starka mot marknadsintressen.« (party programme ↗)“democracy and stand strong against market interests.”
- protect study associations»Därför behöver vi också värna studieförbundens ställning.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore we also need to protect study associations' position.”
The party programme makes civil society the foundation of democracy and demands that social work is built on respect for citizens' own organizations, while authorities must observe objectivity and impartiality.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme makes civil society the foundation of democracy and demands that social work is built on respect for citizens' own organizations, while authorities must observe objectivity and impartiality. Investigating the criterion of democratic structure based on criticism of an authority's application follows from these principles. The plan does not particularly address democratic conditions, which is why the position is derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet gör civilsamhället till demokratins underbyggnad och kräver att samhällsarbetet bygger på respekt för medborgarnas egna organisationer, samtidigt som myndigheter ska iaktta saklighet och opartiskhet. Att utreda kriteriet om demokratisk uppbyggnad utifrån kritik mot en myndighets tillämpning följer av dessa principer. Planen behandlar inte demokrativillkoren särskilt, varför ställningstagandet är härlett och osäkert.
- civil society bears democracydecisive»Ett starkt och levande civilsamhälle är demokratins underbyggnad.« (party programme ↗)“A strong and living civil society is the foundation of democracy.”
- objective exercise of authority»beakta allas likhet inför lagen och iaktta saklighet och opartiskhet.« (party programme ↗)“uphold the equality of all before the law and observe objectivity and impartiality.”
- popular education strengthens democracy»Folkbildning ger stark demokrati och möjligheter till personlig utveckling vid sidan av den formella utbildningen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Popular education gives strong democracy and opportunities for personal development alongside formal education.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan ascribes the associational life and ideologically driven organizations a central role and wants public bodies to actively take part in the voluntary sector's proposals and support it.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan ascribes the associational life and ideologically driven organizations a central role and wants public bodies to actively take part in the voluntary sector's proposals and support it. An authority implementation that deviates from Swedish association tradition risks striking against these very organizations, which speaks for the counter-proposal's demand that the criterion be investigated. The plan, however, says nothing about democracy conditions in grant-giving, so the position is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen tillmäter föreningslivet och de idéburna organisationerna en central roll och vill att offentliga organ aktivt tar del av frivilligsektorns förslag och stöttar den. En myndighetstillämpning som avviker från svensk föreningstradition riskerar att slå mot just dessa organisationer, vilket talar för motförslagets krav på att kriteriet utreds. Planen säger dock inget om demokrativillkor i bidragsgivningen, så ställningstagandet är härlett.
- value of association lifedecisive»Föreningsliv och idéburna organisationer bidrar till socialt hållbara samhällen och stärkt livskvalitet hos unga och gamla.« (party programme ↗)“Association life and ideologically driven organizations contribute to socially sustainable societies and strengthened quality of life for young and old.”
- support for the voluntary sector»Offentliga organ ska aktivt ta del av frivilligsektorns förslag och erbjuda organisatoriskt stöd till frivilligcentraler.« (party programme ↗)“Public bodies shall actively take part in the voluntary sector's proposals and provide organizational support to volunteer centers.”
- promote ideologically driven organizations»Vi vill främja sociala företag, andra alternativa driftsformer och idéburna organisationer.« (party programme ↗)“We want to promote social enterprises, other alternative operational forms and ideologically driven organizations.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The party programme makes civil society's voluntary organisation a fundamental part of democracy and says that politics' task is to remove obstacles, not erect them.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme makes civil society's voluntary organisation a fundamental part of democracy and says that politics' task is to remove obstacles, not erect them. The election manifesto requires that politics maintains arm's length distance and that independent civic education is valued when democratic values are questioned. When an authority's application of the criterion of democratic construction goes against the associational tradition, the plan argues for the criterion to be examined and reported.
Original (Swedish)
Idéprogrammet gör civilsamhällets frivilliga organisering till en fundamental del av demokratin och säger att politikens uppgift är att riva hinder, inte resa dem. Valmanifestet kräver att politiken håller armlängds avstånd och att en fristående folkbildning värnas när demokratiska värden ifrågasätts. När en myndighets tillämpning av kriteriet om demokratisk uppbyggnad går på tvärs mot föreningstraditionen talar planen för att kriteriet utreds och redovisas.
- civil society's intrinsic valuedecisive»Det civila samhället, människornas frivilliga organisering, är en fundamental del av varje väl fungerande demokrati och välfärdsstat.« (party programme ↗)“Civil society, people's voluntary organisation, is a fundamental part of every well-functioning democracy and welfare state.”
- arm's length distance»Politiken ska bidra till goda förutsättningar men hålla armlängds avstånd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Politics shall contribute to good conditions but maintain arm's length distance.”
- remove obstacles for associations»Politikens uppgift är att riva hinder och röja väg för denna utvecklingskraft.« (party programme ↗)“Politics' task is to remove obstacles and clear the way for this development force.”
- independent civic education»En fristående folkbildning har mycket stor betydelse i tider då demokratiska värden ifrågasätts.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Independent civic education has great importance in times when democratic values are questioned.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires that the public respects civil society's independence and affirms that civil society exists in many different forms, from traditional popular movements to new initiatives.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that the public respects civil society's independence and affirms that civil society exists in many different forms, from traditional popular movements to new initiatives. A subsidy test that rejects organizational forms following Swedish association tradition stands in tension with this, which speaks for examining the criterion. The plan simultaneously wants to tighten follow-up of grant-giving, so an investigation need not mean lower requirements.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att det offentliga respekterar civilsamhällets oberoende och bejakar att civilsamhället finns i många olika former, från traditionella folkrörelser till nya initiativ. En bidragsprövning som underkänner organisationsformer som följer svensk föreningstradition står i spänning med det, vilket talar för att kriteriet utreds. Planen vill samtidigt skärpa uppföljningen av bidragsgivning, så en utredning behöver inte innebära lägre krav.
- respect for civil society's independencedecisive»Det offentliga ska i sin samverkan med civilsamhället respektera« (party programme ↗)“The public shall in its cooperation with civil society respect”
- diversity of association forms»Det moderna civilsamhället finns i många olika former, såväl traditionella folkrörelser som nya i« (party programme ↗)“Modern civil society exists in many different forms, both traditional popular movements and new”
- good conditions for civil society»Politiken ska bidra till att det civila samhället ges goda förutsättningar.« (party programme ↗)“Policy shall contribute to civil society being given good conditions.”
- stricter grant follow-up»Vi vill både stärka uppföljningen av bidragsgivning och stoppa dold finansiering av trossamfund så att de inte blir verktyg för extremistiska krafter.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to both strengthen follow-up of grant-giving and stop secret financing of religious communities so they do not become tools for extremist forces.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that non-profit organizations are independent from the public sector and primarily exist to fulfill their own goals, and that civil society activities should be supported by the public but not governed.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that non-profit organizations are independent from the public sector and primarily exist to fulfill their own goals, and that civil society activities should be supported by the public but not governed. An official practice that deviates from association tradition touches precisely that boundary, which is why an investigation of the criterion fits the plan's line.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att ideella organisationer är fristående från den offentliga sektorn och i första hand finns för att uppfylla sina egna mål, och att det civila samhällets verksamhet ska stödjas av det offentliga men inte styras. En myndighetstillämpning som avviker från föreningstraditionen rör just den gränsen, varför en utredning av kriteriet ligger i planens linje.
- non-profit organizations' independencedecisive»sektorn och att de i första hand är till för att uppfylla organisationens mål.« (party programme ↗)“sector and that they primarily exist to fulfill the organization's goals.”
- support but not govern»civila samhället ska stödjas av det offentliga, men inte« (party programme ↗)“civil society should be supported by the public, but not”
- strengthened civil society»STÄRKT CIVILSAMHÄLLE« (2022 manifesto ↗)“STRENGTHENED CIVIL SOCIETY”
- freedom for congregations»religiösa samfund ska ges goda möjligheter att verka och utvecklas i« (party programme ↗)“religious congregations should be given good opportunities to operate and develop in”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan demands that all public exercise of power be guided by equal treatment and predictability and that strong independent societal institutions balance power.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan demands that all public exercise of power be guided by equal treatment and predictability and that strong independent societal institutions balance power. To investigate how an agency applied the criterion of democratic structure against organisations with national bylaws is in line with this. The plan at the same time stands firm that tax funds should not go to organisations that threaten people's freedom, which the criterion itself should protect.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att all offentlig maktutövning vägleds av likabehandling och förutsebarhet och att starka självständiga samhällsinstitutioner balanserar makten. Att utreda hur en myndighet tillämpat kriteriet demokratisk uppbyggnad mot föreningar med nationella stadgar ligger i linje med det. Planen står samtidigt fast vid att skattemedel inte ska gå till organisationer som hotar människors frihet, vilket kriteriet i sig ska värna.
- equal treatment and predictabilitydecisive»principer om likabehandling och förutsebarhet.« (party programme ↗)“principles of equal treatment and predictability.”
- strong civil society»Starka självständiga samhällsinstitutioner bidrar till att balansera makten i samhället.« (party programme ↗)“Strong independent societal institutions help balance power in society.”
- democracy conditions maintained»Stoppa utbetalningar av skattepengar till organisationer som inte delar det svenska samhällets grundläggande demokratiska värderingar utan som hotar människors frihet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Stop payments of tax money to organisations that do not share Swedish society's fundamental democratic values but threaten people's freedom”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan wants to bring forward and support the non-profit sector without overly restricting its freedom of action and wants to reintroduce personal liability for public officials so that authorities' application can be scrutinized.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to bring forward and support the non-profit sector without overly restricting its freedom of action and wants to reintroduce personal liability for public officials so that authorities' application can be scrutinized. The counter-proposal's demands that the criterion democratic structure be investigated based on criticism of the authority's departure from Swedish association tradition, and reported to parliament, follow from these commitments. The condition against extremist organizations remains.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill lyfta fram och stödja den ideella sektorn utan att i alltför hög grad begränsa dess handlingsfrihet och vill återinföra tjänstemannaansvaret så att myndigheters tillämpning kan granskas. Motförslagets krav på att kriteriet demokratisk uppbyggnad utreds utifrån kritiken mot myndighetens avsteg från svensk föreningstradition, och redovisas för riksdagen, följer av dessa åtaganden. Villkoret mot extremistiska organisationer kvarstår.
- support without restricted freedomdecisive»att lyfta fram och stödja den ideella sektorn utan att i alltför hög grad begränsa dess« (party programme ↗)“to bring forward and support the non-profit sector without overly restricting its”
- accountability for authorities»Återinför tjänstemannaansvaret« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Reintroduce personal liability for public officials”
- freedom from political interference»Samtidigt ska oberoende kulturinstitutioners frihet från politiska pekpinnar värnas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“At the same time, independent cultural institutions' freedom from political interference shall be protected.”
- condition against extremism»Stoppa bidrag till extremistiska idéorganisationer inom civilsamhället« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Stop funding for extremist idea organizations within civil society”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:KrU7)
- Committee report full text (HB01KrU7)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:1396 — Ingen plats för hederskultur i ett demokratiskt och jämställt samhälle av Ann-Sofie Alm (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1579 — Sekulär stat på riktigt av Noria Manouchi (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1993 — Föreningsfriheten av Lena Hallengren (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2483 — Kultur, civilsamhälle, idrott och medier i hela landet av Catarina Deremar m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2484 — Rättspolitik av Ulrika Liljeberg m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2531 — Slopat skattefinansierat stöd och utökad granskning av trossamfund av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2533 — Samlad satsning för den svenska diasporan av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:2617 — Utgiftsområde 9 Hälsovård, sjukvård och social omsorg av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2661 — Stockholm som en hållbar tillväxtmotor av Mattias Vepsä m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2686 — Utgiftsområde 17 Kultur, medier, trossamfund och fritid av Lawen Redar m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2734 — Djurrättsaktivism av Anders W Jonsson och Helena Vilhelmsson (båda C)
- Motion 2023/24:2869 — med anledning av prop. 2023/24:119 Statens stöd till trossamfund och civilsamhället - enhetliga och rättssäkra villkor av Vasiliki Tsouplaki m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2023/24:2875 — med anledning av prop. 2023/24:119 Statens stöd till trossamfund och civilsamhället - enhetliga och rättssäkra villkor av Amanda Lind m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2023/24:2877 — med anledning av prop. 2023/24:119 Statens stöd till trossamfund och civilsamhället - enhetliga och rättssäkra villkor av Catarina Deremar m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:353 — Kulturmiljöfrågor av Runar Filper m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:357 — Trossamfundsfrågor av Alexander Christiansson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:359 — Åtgärder mot extremism i civilsamhället av Jonas Andersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:361 — Politik för ett starkt och oberoende civilsamhälle av Jonas Andersson m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:485 — Vissa frågor rörande Mellanöstern och Afrika av Markus Wiechel m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2023/24:884 — Åtgärder för att förebygga hedersbrott och stötta utsatta av Markus Wiechel (SD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament