2025-10-012025/26:KU2 · p.1KUConstitution
Constitutional bill and changes to the Riksdag's main provisions
Strengthening constitutional protection: qualified majority for constitutional amendments
What's at stake: The decision affects how easy or hard it will be to amend the constitution in the future, and therefore the protection of democracy, the rule of law and judicial independence against temporary political majorities.
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 all constitutional amendments should require a two-thirds majority in parliament's second vote, or whether such a blanket requirement goes too far.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee shares the government's assessment that constitutional protection should be strengthened through a qualified-majority and quorum requirement for all constitutional amendments, together with stronger protection for the independence of courts and judges, without introducing an absolute eternity clause.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (SD)
The SD holds that the qualified-majority requirement for constitutional amendments goes too far and risks letting a small minority block necessary, urgent or technical changes supported by a chamber majority; it wants parliament to reject the proposal in this respect.
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 1 by SD.
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 | Yes 18/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| S | Yes | Yes 92/0/0/14 | follows the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| MP | Yes | Yes 15/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | Yes | Yes 21/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| L | Yes | Yes 13/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | Yes | Yes 16/0/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | Yes | Yes 59/0/0/9 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | Yes | No 0/63/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag adopts as pending the government's proposal for 1. Act on amendment to the Instrument of Government, 2. Act on amendment to the Rules of the Riksdag. The Riksdag thereby approves proposition 2024/25:165 points 1 and 2 and rejects the motions 2024/25:1934 by Jessica Wetterling et al. (V) point 3 and 2024/25:3429 by Michael Rubbestad et al. (SD) point 1.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen antar som vilande regeringens förslag till 1. lag om ändring i regeringsformen, 2. lag om ändring i riksdagsordningen. Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2024/25:165 punkterna 1 och 2 samt avslår motionerna 2024/25:1934 av Jessica Wetterling m.fl. (V) yrkande 3 och 2024/25:3429 av Michael Rubbestad m.fl. (SD) yrkande 1.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag said yes to adopting as pending the government's proposals for changes to the Instrument of Government and the Rules of the Riksdag, with the aim of strengthening the institutional protection of Sweden as a democratic state governed by the rule of law. The proposals essentially mean that it will become more difficult to amend the constitutional laws and that the protection of the independence of the courts and judges will be strengthened in the long term. Among other things, there will be requirements that at least half of the Riksdag's members say yes to a decision to adopt a constitutional bill as pending and that at least two-thirds of the Riksdag's members say yes to the second decision to adopt the proposal – after a Riksdag election has been held. Because the proposal concerns an amendment to constitutional law, the Riksdag must vote twice on the proposal in the same way and there must be a Riksdag election in between. The first decision means that the constitutional bill is adopted as pending. Through the second decision, the constitutional bill is adopted finally. Amendments to so-called main provisions in the Rules of the Riksdag are decided in the same way. The legislative changes are proposed to come into force on 1 April 2027.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the riksdag to reject the proposal requiring a two-thirds majority for constitutional amendments. (SD) — Reservation 1
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 proceeds from the fact that the people's political power over the state is exercised by the Riksdag and wants to build further on Sweden's democratisation, including through a republican constitution.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan proceeds from the fact that the people's political power over the state is exercised by the Riksdag and wants to build further on Sweden's democratisation, including through a republican constitution. A general requirement for qualified majority for all constitutional amendments would narrow the room for a democratic majority to carry out precisely such changes. The plan says nothing explicit about decision rules for constitutional amendment, but the closest principle speaks for keeping the current order in this respect.
Original (Swedish)
Planen utgår från att folkets politiska makt över staten utövas av riksdagen och vill bygga vidare på Sveriges demokratisering, bland annat genom en republikansk författning. Ett generellt krav på kvalificerad majoritet för alla grundlagsändringar skulle snäva in utrymmet för en demokratisk majoritet att genomföra just sådana förändringar. Planen säger inget uttryckligt om beslutsreglerna för grundlagsändring, men närmast liggande princip talar för motförslagets krav att behålla nuvarande ordning i denna del.
- the Riksdag exercises the people's powerdecisive»Folkets politiska makt över staten ska utövas av riksdagen« (party programme ↗)“The people's political power over the state shall be exercised by the Riksdag”
- the constitution can be changed»Vi vill se en republikansk författning« (party programme ↗)“We want to see a republican constitution”
- deepened democratisation»Vi vill bygga vidare på Sveriges demokratisering.« (party programme ↗)“We want to build further on Sweden's democratisation.”
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 establishes that democratic institutions must be protected and that emerging authoritarian regimes shall be met with a resolute defence of democracy.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that democratic institutions must be protected and that emerging authoritarian regimes shall be met with a resolute defence of democracy. Strengthened constitutional protection through qualified majority is in line with that principle, while the counter-proposal wants to maintain the current, weaker arrangement. However, the plan does not directly address the decision procedure for constitutional changes, which is why the conclusion is derived from the principles of rule of law and institutional protection.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att de demokratiska institutionerna måste skyddas och att framväxande auktoritära krafter ska mötas med ett resolut försvar av folkstyret. Ett stärkt grundlagsskydd genom kvalificerad majoritet ligger i linje med den principen, medan motförslaget vill behålla nuvarande, svagare ordning. Planen behandlar dock inte beslutsordningen för grundlagsändringar direkt, varför slutsatsen härleds ur principerna om rättsstat och institutionsskydd.
- protection of democratic institutionsdecisive»De demokratiska institutionerna måste skyddas.« (party programme ↗)“Democratic institutions must be protected.”
- defence of democracy»Framväxten av auktoritära styren runt om i världen ska mötas med ett resolut försvar av folkstyret« (party programme ↗)“The emergence of authoritarian regimes around the world shall be met with a resolute defence of democracy”
- protect the rule of law»Slå vakt om rättsstatens principer.« (party programme ↗)“Guard the principles of the rule of law.”
- expanded constitutional protection»Vi vill grundlagsskydda public service.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to constitutionally protect public service.”
The election manifesto explicitly promises to protect Sweden's constitution against rapid changes, which is precisely what demands for qualified majority and quorum in constitutional amendments achieve.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly promises to protect Sweden's constitution against rapid changes, which is precisely what demands for qualified majority and quorum in constitutional amendments achieve. The counter-proposal wants instead to maintain the current order unchanged and considers the demand too far-reaching, which contradicts the plan's commitment. The plan also emphasises a strong and independent rule of law and wants to anchor protection in the constitution. The plan therefore speaks against the counter-proposal's demands.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet lovar uttryckligen att skydda Sveriges grundlag mot snabba förändringar, vilket är precis vad krav på kvalificerad majoritet och kvorum vid grundlagsändringar åstadkommer. Motförslaget vill i stället behålla nuvarande ordning oförändrad och anser kravet för långtgående, vilket går emot planens åtagande. Planen betonar också en stark och oberoende rättsstat och vill förankra skydd i grundlagen. Planen talar därför emot motförslagets krav.
- constitution protected against rapid changesdecisive»skydda Sveriges grundlag mot snabba förändringar.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“protect Sweden's constitution against rapid changes.”
- strong and independent rule of law»Det fria ordet, minoriteters rättigheter och skydd mot diskriminering är viktiga för demokratisk utveckling, tillsammans med en stark och oberoende rättsstat.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Freedom of speech, minorities' rights and protection against discrimination are important for democratic development, together with a strong and independent rule of law.”
- constitutionally anchored protection»skydda ett oberoende public service i grundlagen.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“protect an independent public service in the constitution.”
- confidence in the judiciary»ett effektivt och välfungerande rättsväsen som har allmänhetens förtroende« (party programme ↗)“an effective and well-functioning judiciary that has public confidence”
The election manifesto explicitly promises to make it harder to amend the constitution and to strengthen the independence of the courts.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto explicitly promises to make it harder to amend the constitution and to strengthen the independence of the courts. The counter-proposal wants to keep the current order and considers requirements for qualified majority to go too far, which runs directly counter to this commitment. The plan also emphasizes that democratic institutions should stand strong regardless of political leadership and wants to strengthen constitutional protection for individuals' rights. The plan therefore rejects the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet lovar uttryckligen att göra det svårare att ändra grundlagen och att stärka domstolarnas oberoende. Motförslaget vill behålla nuvarande ordning och anser krav på kvalificerad majoritet vara för långtgående, vilket går rakt emot detta åtagande. Planen betonar dessutom att de demokratiska institutionerna ska stå starka oavsett politiskt styre och vill stärka grundlagsskyddet för enskildas rättigheter. Planen avvisar därför motförslagets krav.
- harder to amend the constitutiondecisive»Våra demokratiska institutioner behöver skydd. Vi vill göra det svårare att ändra grundlagen, skydda oppositionens ställning i riksdagen och stärka domstolarnas oberoende.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our democratic institutions need protection. We want to make it harder to amend the constitution, protect the opposition's position in the Riksdag and strengthen the independence of the courts.”
- institutions independent of government power»Våra demokratiska institutioner och principer — oberoende domstolar, äganderätten, den fria pressen, likheten inför lagen och många fler — ska stå starka oavsett politiskt styre.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our democratic institutions and principles — independent courts, ownership, the free press, equality before the law and many more — should stand strong regardless of political leadership.”
- extended constitutional protection for rights»Våra grundläggande rättigheter får inte tas för givna. Vi vill stärka bland annat äganderätten, diskrimineringsförbudet, minoritetsskyddet och minoritetsspråkens ställning, och grundlagsskydda rätten till abort och reproduktiv hälsa.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our basic rights must not be taken for granted. We want to strengthen among other things ownership, the anti-discrimination prohibition, minority protection and the status of minority languages, and constitutionally protect the right to abortion and reproductive health.”
- enforceable constitutional rights»Vi vill se en rättighetslagstiftning, ett tydligt samhällskontrakt med utkrävbara rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“We want to see legislation on rights, a clear social contract with enforceable rights.”
The plan wants to see strengthened constitutional protection for the democratic system and stronger protection for the independence of courts.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to see strengthened constitutional protection for the democratic system and stronger protection for the independence of courts. The counter-proposal instead wants to retain the current arrangement and rejects a general requirement for a qualified majority in constitutional changes, thus a weaker protection level than the plan seeks. The plan establishes that constitutional protection for democracy and individual freedoms and rights shall be strong, so it argues against the counter-proposal.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill se ett förstärkt grundlagsskydd för det demokratiska statsskicket och starkare skydd för domstolarnas oberoende. Motförslaget vill i stället behålla nuvarande ordning och avvisar ett generellt krav på kvalificerad majoritet vid grundlagsändringar, alltså en svagare skyddsnivå än den planen efterfrågar. Planen slår fast att grundlagsskyddet för demokratin och de individuella fri- och rättigheterna ska vara starkt, varför den talar emot motförslaget.
- strengthened constitutional protectiondecisive»Vi vill se ett förstärkt grundlagsskydd för vårt demokratiska statsskick, öka domstolarnas oberoende och verka för en författningsdomstol« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to see strengthened constitutional protection for our democratic system, increase the independence of courts and work for a constitutional court”
- strong constitutional protection»Grundlagsskyddet för demokratin och de individuella fri- och rättigheterna ska vara starkt.« (party programme ↗)“Constitutional protection for democracy and individual freedoms and rights shall be strong.”
- threshold in constitutional change»ändra i grundlagen ska krävas två beslut med mellanliggande ordinarie val.« (party programme ↗)“change the constitution shall require two decisions with an intervening ordinary election.”
- independent courts»Domstolarna ska vara oberoende och opartiska.« (party programme ↗)“Courts shall be independent and impartial.”
The party programme wants the constitution to secure the rights of individuals and protect them from abuse, that the courts' position is strong and independent and that too much power is never placed in a single party's hands.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme wants the constitution to secure the rights of individuals and protect them from abuse, that the courts' position is strong and independent and that too much power is never placed in a single party's hands. A general requirement for qualified majority for constitutional amendment is precisely such a barrier against temporary majorities. The counter-proposal's demand to retain the current arrangement weakens the protection the plan seeks.
Original (Swedish)
Principprogrammet vill att grundlagen säkerställer den enskildes rättigheter och skyddar dem från övergrepp, att domstolarnas ställning är stark och självständig och att för mycket makt aldrig läggs i ett enskilt partis händer. Ett generellt krav på kvalificerad majoritet vid grundlagsändring är just en sådan spärr mot tillfälliga majoriteter. Motförslagets krav på att behålla nuvarande ordning försvagar det skydd planen efterfrågar.
- the constitution protects rightsdecisive»Grundlagen ska säkerställa de rättigheter som alltid ska finnas för den enskilda människan och skydda dessa rättigheter från övergrepp.« (party programme ↗)“The constitution shall ensure the rights that shall always exist for the individual and protect these rights from abuse.”
- barrier against power concentration»Människans ofullkomlighet innebär att för mycket makt inte får läggas i en enskild människas, grupps eller partis händer.« (party programme ↗)“Human imperfection means that too much power must not be placed in a single person's, group's or party's hands.”
- independent courts»Domstolarnas ställning ska vara stark och självständig.« (party programme ↗)“The courts' position shall be strong and independent.”
- control of the exercise of power»Det ska finnas en effektiv lagprövningsrätt. En författningsdomstol ska därför finnas för att stärka demokratin och kontrollera maktutövningen hos riksdagen, regeringen och kommunerna.« (party programme ↗)“There shall be effective judicial review. A constitutional court shall therefore exist to strengthen democracy and control the exercise of power by the Riksdag, the government and the municipalities.”
The plan establishes that the foundations of democracy need to be strengthened and that the independence of the courts and the protection of citizens' freedoms and rights shall be strengthened.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that the foundations of democracy need to be strengthened and that the independence of the courts and the protection of citizens' freedoms and rights shall be strengthened. A raised threshold requirement for constitutional changes is in line with that commitment, whereas the counter-proposal wants to maintain the current order. The plan therefore speaks against the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att demokratins grundvalar behöver stärkas och att domstolarnas oberoende och skyddet för medborgarnas fri- och rättigheter ska förstärkas. Ett höjt tröskelkrav vid grundlagsändringar ligger i linje med det åtagandet, medan motförslaget vill behålla nuvarande ordning. Planen talar därför emot motförslagets krav.
- strengthened constitutional protectiondecisive»Stärka domstolarnas oberoende och skyddet för medborgarnas fri- och rättigheter« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the independence of the courts and the protection of citizens' freedoms and rights”
- strengthened separation of powers»Vi ser stora behov av att förstärka domstolarnas oberoende och förtydliga hur ansvar kan utkrävas för offentliga beslut.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We see great needs to strengthen the independence of the courts and clarify how responsibility can be demanded for public decisions.”
- strengthened democratic foundations»Demokratins grundvalar behöver stärkas.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The foundations of democracy need to be strengthened.”
- protection against majority power»Majoriteten får aldrig göra vad den vill« (party programme ↗)“The majority must never do what it wants”
The plan wishes to strengthen rule-of-law principles with increased separation of powers, stronger normative review and judicial independence, and explicitly points to qualified majority as a tool to protect the quality of legislation.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wishes to strengthen rule-of-law principles with increased separation of powers, stronger normative review and judicial independence, and explicitly points to qualified majority as a tool to protect the quality of legislation. The counter-proposal wishes to maintain the current arrangement and considers that a general requirement for qualified majority is too far-reaching. This goes against the plan's line for stronger constitutional protection.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill stärka de rättsstatliga principerna med ökad maktdelning, starkare normprövning och domstolarnas oberoende, och pekar uttryckligen på kvalificerad majoritet som ett verktyg för att skydda lagstiftningens kvalitet. Motförslaget vill behålla nuvarande ordning och anser att ett generellt krav på kvalificerad majoritet är för långtgående. Det går emot planens linje om ett starkare grundlagsskydd.
- qualified majority as protectiondecisive»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 bills about which the Legal Council has expressed criticism.”
- increased separation of powers»Sverigedemokraterna vill stärka de rättsstatliga principerna i den svenska förvaltningsmodellen genom ökade inslag av maktdelning och ett stärkt oberoende av domstolsväsendet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats wish to strengthen rule-of-law principles in the Swedish governance model through increased separation of powers and strengthened independence of the courts.”
- strengthened normative review»Öka möjligheten till normprövning i grundlagen« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase the possibility of normative review in the constitution”
- judicial independence»Stärka domstolarnas oberoende« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Strengthen the independence of the courts”
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 (2025/26:KU2)
- Committee report full text (HD01KU2)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2024/25:1934 — Konstitutionella frågor av Jessica Wetterling m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2024/25:1984 — Värnande av demokratin av Ann-Sofie Alm (M)
- Motion 2024/25:3429 — med anledning av prop. 2024/25:165 Stärkt skydd för demokratin och domstolarnas oberoende av Michael Rubbestad m.fl. (SD)
- Proposition 2024/25:165 — Stärkt skydd för demokratin och domstolarnas oberoende
Source: The Swedish Parliament