2023-05-032022/23:SoU10 · p.3SoUHealth & social services
Need for an investigation into constitutional amendment
Need for an inquiry into constitutional amendment in implementing the Accessibility Directive
What's at stake: Implementing the EU accessibility directive touches on the boundary with constitutionally protected freedom of the press and expression, so how that question is handled affects legal certainty in the legislation and could matter for how digital services and products are regulated going forward.
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 now appoint a special inquiry into possible constitutional amendments to resolve ambiguities flagged by the Council on Legislation, or whether the law's relationship to the constitutional press and expression freedom acts can be handled without such an inquiry.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee shares the government's assessment that there is no need for an explicit exemption provision or a separate inquiry into the law's relationship to the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, and does not consider that the issues raised by the Council on Legislation warrant a directive for such an inquiry at this time.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 4 (C)
The reservation calls on the government to promptly appoint an inquiry into any need for consequential amendments to the Freedom of the Press Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, arguing that the Council on Legislation has pointed to ambiguities about norm-giving and constitutional questions affecting the directive's implementation that need to be investigated swiftly.
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 4 by C.
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 | Abstain 0/0/20/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| S | No | Yes 94/0/0/13 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| MP | No | Abstain 0/0/14/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| C | No | No 0/21/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 13/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| 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
Parliament rejects the motions 2022/23:2314 by Maj Karlsson et al. (V) demand 3, 2022/23:2317 by Christofer Bergenblock et al. (C) demand 6 and 2022/23:2319 by Ulrika Westerlund et al. (MP) demand 3.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2022/23:2314 av Maj Karlsson m.fl. (V) yrkande 3, 2022/23:2317 av Christofer Bergenblock m.fl. (C) yrkande 6 och 2022/23:2319 av Ulrika Westerlund m.fl. (MP) yrkande 3.
Riksdag decision: Stricter accessibility requirements shall be placed on certain products and services. Parliament said yes to the government's proposal, which is based on the EU's Accessibility Directive. Products covered by the new rules include, for example, computers, smartphones, payment terminals, cash machines, ticket sales and check-in machines, and self-service terminals. The purpose of the law is to increase accessibility to the products and services, particularly for persons with disabilities. The new law enters into force on June 28, 2025.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the government to appoint an inquiry into possible amendments to the Press Freedom Act and Freedom of Expression Act. (C) — Reservation 4
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 establishes that the basic laws should protect democracy and human rights and counts freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the principle of public access as democracy's most important cornerstones, rights that should be defended and deepened.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that the basic laws should protect democracy and human rights and counts freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the principle of public access as democracy's most important cornerstones, rights that should be defended and deepened. Investigating ambiguities in the relationship between new legislation and the freedom of press and speech basic laws protects precisely these rights. However, the plan does not address the concrete legislative question, so the conclusion is derived from the principles.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att grundlagarna ska värna demokratin och människors rättigheter och räknar yttrande- och tryckfriheten samt offentlighetsprincipen till demokratins viktigaste byggstenar, rättigheter som ska försvaras och fördjupas. Att utreda oklarheter i förhållandet mellan ny lagstiftning och tryck- och yttrandefrihetsgrundlagarna värnar just dessa rättigheter. Planen behandlar dock inte den konkreta lagstiftningsfrågan, varför slutsatsen härleds ur principerna.
- pillars of freedom of speechdecisive»föreningsfriheten, yttrande- och tryckfriheten, offentlighetsprincipen« (party programme ↗)“freedom of association, freedom of speech and the press, principle of public access”
- the basic law protects rights»Grundlagarna ska värna demokratin och människors rättigheter« (party programme ↗)“The basic laws should protect democracy and human rights”
- defend democratic rights»Den rätten ska försvaras, stärkas och fördjupas.« (party programme ↗)“That right should be defended, strengthened, and deepened.”
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 documents do not address consequential amendments to the Press Freedom Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The documents do not address consequential amendments to the Press Freedom Act and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. The nearest principles are that the party wants to constitutionally protect public service and that freedom of expression is the heart of democracy, which suggests that ambiguities in the constitutional relationship should be clarified in an investigation rather than left unaddressed. The conclusion is therefore derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Dokumenten behandlar inte följdändringar i tryck- och yttrandefrihetsgrundlagarna. Närmast liggande principer är att partiet vill grundlagsskydda public service och att yttrandefriheten är demokratins kärna, vilket talar för att oklarheter i grundlagsförhållandet bör klarläggas i en utredning snarare än lämnas obesvarade. Slutsatsen är därför härledd och osäker.
- constitutional protection valueddecisive»Vi vill grundlagsskydda public service.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to constitutionally protect public service.”
- freedom of expression as foundation»Demokrati handlar om frihet. Den innefattar friheten att få uttrycka sin mening, kritisera,« (party programme ↗)“Democracy is about freedom. It includes the freedom to express one's opinion, to criticise,”
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 does not take a position on this particular consequential amendment, but it states that freedom of expression and free opinion formation are invaluable and that the constitution should be protected against rapid changes.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not take a position on this particular consequential amendment, but it states that freedom of expression and free opinion formation are invaluable and that the constitution should be protected against rapid changes. An investigation that clarifies ambiguities in the relationship to the Press and Freedom of Expression Acts is consistent with both these commitments, as it counteracts ill-considered interventions. The plan also wants to strengthen freedom of expression and constitutional protection for independent media.
Original (Swedish)
Planen tar inte ställning till just denna följdändring, men den slår fast att yttrandefriheten och den fria åsiktsbildningen är ovärderliga och att grundlagen ska skyddas mot snabba förändringar. En utredning som klarlägger oklarheter i förhållandet till tryck- och yttrandefrihetsgrundlagarna är förenlig med båda dessa åtaganden, eftersom den motverkar oöverlagda ingrepp. Planen vill dessutom stärka yttrandefriheten och grundlagsskyddet för oberoende medier.
- cautious constitutional handlingdecisive»skydda Sveriges grundlag mot snabba förändringar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“protect Sweden's constitution against rapid changes.”
- freedom of expression invaluable»fria åsiktsbildningen är ovärderliga.« (party programme ↗)“free opinion formation is invaluable.”
- strengthened freedom of expression»förstärka yttrandefriheten och stödja oberoende medier i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“strengthen freedom of expression and support independent media throughout the country.”
- constitutional protection for media freedom»skydda ett oberoende public service i grundlagen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“protect independent public service in the constitution.”
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 makes the constitutionally protected freedoms of expression, press and information self-evident rights that shall be guaranteed, and wishes the constitution shall not be changed lightly.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan makes the constitutionally protected freedoms of expression, press and information self-evident rights that shall be guaranteed, and wishes the constitution shall not be changed lightly. To promptly investigate possible consequent changes in freedom of speech and freedom of the press rules is a way to value these rights and create legal clarity before the law is applied. The plan does not address this particular legislative matter, so the position is derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen gör de grundlagsskyddade yttrande-, tryck- och meddelarfriheterna till självklara rättigheter som ska garanteras, och vill att grundlagen inte ändras lättvindigt. Att skyndsamt utreda eventuella följdändringar i tryck- och yttrandefrihetsreglerna är ett sätt att värna dessa rättigheter och skapa rättslig klarhet innan lagen tillämpas. Planen behandlar inte just detta lagstiftningsärende, så ställningstagandet är härlett.
- grundlagsskyddad yttrandefrihetdecisive»de grundlagsskyddade fri- och rättigheterna, som exempelvis yttrande-, tryck- och meddelarfrihet« (party programme ↗)“the constitutionally protected freedoms and rights, such as for example freedom of speech, freedom of the press and freedom of information”
- värnad grundlag»Vi vill göra det svårare att ändra grundlagen, skydda oppositionens ställning i riksdagen och stärka domstolarnas oberoende.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We wish to make it harder to amend the constitution, protect the position of the opposition in the Riksdag and strengthen the independence of the courts.”
- proportionalitet i lagstiftning»Det måste finnas en proportionalitet mellan lagstiftningens inskränkning av medborgarnas integritet och lagarnas syfte.« (party programme ↗)“There must be proportionality between legislation's restriction of citizens' integrity and the laws' purpose.”
The plan establishes that constitutional protection for individual liberties and rights shall be strong, that freedom-of-press and freedom-of-expression legislation's unique regulation shall be defended and that it shall be able to be reviewed against the constitution in a constitutional court.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that constitutional protection for individual liberties and rights shall be strong, that freedom-of-press and freedom-of-expression legislation's unique regulation shall be defended and that it shall be able to be reviewed against the constitution in a constitutional court. To swiftly investigate clarifications and possible follow-on changes in freedom-of-press and freedom-of-expression constitutional laws thus lies in the plan's line. The plan does not express itself about this particular legislation.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att grundlagsskyddet för de individuella fri- och rättigheterna ska vara starkt, att tryck- och yttrandefrihetslagstiftningens unika reglering ska försvaras och att den bör kunna prövas mot grundlagen i en författningsdomstol. Att skyndsamt utreda oklarheter och eventuella följdändringar i tryck- och yttrandefrihetsgrundlagarna ligger därför i planens linje. Planen uttalar sig inte om just denna lagstiftning.
- protect freedom of press and expressiondecisive»Tryck- och yttrandefrihetslagstiftningen har en unik och stark reglering« (party programme ↗)“Freedom-of-press and freedom-of-expression legislation has a unique and strong regulation”
- strong constitutional protection»Grundlagsskyddet för demokratin och de individuella fri- och rättigheterna ska vara starkt.« (party programme ↗)“Constitutional protection for democracy and individual liberties and rights shall be strong.”
- constitutional court and constitutional review»Vi vill se ett förstärkt grundlagsskydd för vårt demokratiska statsskick, öka domstolarnas oberoende och verka för en författningsdomstol som ska kunna häva lagar eller bestämmelser som strider mot grundlagsskyddade fri- och rättigheter.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to see strengthened constitutional protection for our democratic system of government, increase the courts' independence and work for a constitutional court that shall be able to overturn laws or regulations that violate constitutionally protected liberties and rights.”
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 strong protection for freedom of expression and of information and that the constitution is the firm foundation for all public norms and decisions.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires strong protection for freedom of expression and of information and that the constitution is the firm foundation for all public norms and decisions. Uncertainties about how new legislation relates to the freedom of the press and freedom of expression constitutional laws should therefore be investigated, and the plan wants an effective constitutional review right as a check. That legislation in this area should be technology-independent as far as possible also argues for properly testing follow-on changes.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver ett starkt skydd för yttrande- och meddelarfriheten och att grundlagen är den fasta grunden för alla offentliga normer och beslut. Oklarheter om ny lagstiftnings förhållande till tryck- och yttrandefrihetsgrundlagarna bör därför utredas, och planen vill ha en effektiv lagprövningsrätt som kontroll. Att lagstiftningen så långt möjligt ska vara teknikoberoende talar också för att följdändringar prövas ordentligt.
- strong protection of freedom of expressiondecisive»Ett starkt skydd för yttrande- och meddelarfriheten« (party programme ↗)“Strong protection for freedom of expression and information freedom”
- constitution as firm foundation»Grundlagen ska vara den fasta grunden för alla« (party programme ↗)“The constitution shall be the firm foundation for all”
- effective constitutional review»Det ska finnas en effektiv lagprövningsrätt.« (party programme ↗)“There shall be an effective constitutional review right.”
- technology-independent legislation»Lagstiftningen på området bör så långt möjligt vara« (party programme ↗)“Legislation in this area should be as far as possible”
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 the constitution to have a clear catalogue of freedoms and rights and that the constitutional laws give inviolable protection for freedom of speech and the press, and that all public authority is governed by law and foreseeable.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires the constitution to have a clear catalogue of freedoms and rights and that the constitutional laws give inviolable protection for freedom of speech and the press, and that all public authority is governed by law and foreseeable. Ambiguities about norm-setting in relation to the freedom-of-the-press constitutional laws are thus something the plan has an interest in investigating. The question of consequential changes to the constitution is however not explicitly addressed in the documents.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att grundlagen har en tydlig katalog av fri- och rättigheter och att grundlagarna ger ett oavvisligt skydd för yttrande- och tryckfriheten, samt att all offentlig maktutövning är lagstyrd och förutsebar. Oklarheter om normgivning i förhållande till tryckfrihetsgrundlagarna är därför något planen har intresse av att få utrett. Frågan om följdändringar i grundlagen behandlas dock inte uttryckligen i dokumenten.
- clear constitutional rightsdecisive»Vår svenska grundlag ska ha en tydlig katalog av fri- och rättigheter.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our Swedish constitution shall have a clear catalogue of freedoms and rights.”
- inviolable protection of free speech»Våra grundlagar ska ge ett oavvisligt skydd för« (party programme ↗)“Our constitutional laws shall provide inviolable protection for”
- law-governed and foreseeable authority»All offentlig maktutövning ska vara lagstyrd och vägledas av« (party programme ↗)“All public authority shall be governed by law and guided by”
- EU rules at minimum level»som huvudregel ska EU-direktiv genomföras på miniminivå« (2022 manifesto ↗)“as a main rule, EU directives shall be implemented at minimum level”
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 strengthen the Basic Law's rights protection for freedom of expression, increase the possibility of constitutional review and strengthen the Legal Council's position when legislative proposals are criticized.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to strengthen the Basic Law's rights protection for freedom of expression, increase the possibility of constitutional review and strengthen the Legal Council's position when legislative proposals are criticized. Swiftly investigating the need for consequential amendments in the rules on press and speech freedom follows directly from these commitments. The plan also emphasizes that democracy's mode of operation needs to be constantly scrutinized.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill förstärka grundlagens rättighetsskydd för yttrandefriheten, öka möjligheten till normprövning och stärka Lagrådets ställning när lagförslag kritiseras. Att skyndsamt utreda behovet av följdändringar i tryck- och yttrandefrihetsreglerna följer direkt av dessa åtaganden. Planen understryker också att demokratins funktionssätt ständigt behöver rannsakas.
- strengthened basic law protectiondecisive»Förstärka grundlagens rättighetsskydd vad gäller yttrandefrihet, äganderätt och frihet från religion« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the Basic Law's rights protection regarding freedom of expression, property rights and freedom from religion”
- legislative scrutiny taken seriously»Lagrådets ställning bör stärkas genom att utreda möjligheten att fordra kvalificerad majoritet i riksdagen vid antaganden av lagförslag om vilka Lagrådet riktat kritik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Legal Council's position should be strengthened by investigating the possibility of requiring a qualified majority in the Riksdag when adopting legislative proposals which the Legal Council has criticized.”
- expanded constitutional review»Öka möjligheten till normprövning i grundlagen« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase the possibility of constitutional review in the Basic Law”
- scrutinize democracy's forms»Trots hundraårig demokrati och en av världens äldsta tryckfriheter, behöver demokratins funktionssätt ständigt rannsakas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Despite a hundred years of democracy and one of the world's oldest press freedoms, democracy's mode of operation needs to be constantly scrutinized.”
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 (2022/23:SoU10)
- Committee report full text (HA01SoU10)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2022/23:2314 — med anledning av prop. 2022/23:42 Genomförande av tillgänglighetsdirektivet av Maj Karlsson m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2022/23:2316 — med anledning av prop. 2022/23:42 Genomförande av tillgänglighetsdirektivet av Carina Ståhl Herrstedt m.fl. (SD)
- Motion 2022/23:2317 — med anledning av prop. 2022/23:42 Genomförande av tillgänglighetsdirektivet av Christofer Bergenblock m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2022/23:2319 — med anledning av prop. 2022/23:42 Genomförande av tillgänglighetsdirektivet av Ulrika Westerlund m.fl. (MP)
- Proposition 2022/23:42 — Genomförande av tillgänglighetsdirektivet
Source: The Swedish Parliament