2024-02-072023/24:NU6 · p.2NUBusiness & energy
A program for new and relocated establishments
New programme for establishing and relocating government agencies
What's at stake: The decision affects whether the relocation of government agencies away from Stockholm continues at the same pace as before, which matters for jobs, growth and the state's presence in other parts of the country.
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 draw up and carry out a new comprehensive programme for establishing and relocating government agencies, or whether no such programme is needed beyond the government's ongoing work.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee rejects the motion and sees no reason at this time to require a new comprehensive programme for establishing and relocating agencies, citing among other things ongoing efforts in the area.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (S, V, MP)
The reservation (S, V, MP) wants the government to draw up and carry out a new comprehensive programme for establishing and relocating agencies over the coming years, pointing to the National Audit Office's finding that earlier relocations contributed positively to development, and citing examples such as a new agency being placed in Hammarby Sjöstad instead of Södertälje and an agency's leadership being moved from Katrineholm to Stockholm, which the reservation views as signs that the government is instead centralising.
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 S, V, MP.
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 0/18/0/6 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| S | No | No 0/89/0/18 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| MP | No | No 0/11/0/7 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| C | No | Yes 20/0/0/4 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 11/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 12/0/0/7 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| M | Yes | Yes 55/0/0/13 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 62/0/0/10 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects motion 2023/24:29 by Fredrik Olovsson et al. (S) point 1.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motion 2023/24:29 av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S) yrkande 1.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag has addressed a letter from the government concerning the Swedish National Audit Office's report on the establishment of agencies outside Stockholm. The Swedish National Audit Office's overall conclusion is that the government's localization of agencies in areas outside Stockholm during the period has partly lived up to the Riksdag's intentions. The Swedish National Audit Office assesses that the localization decisions have contributed a small but positive impact to regional development while the government's localization decisions have not jeopardized the agencies' ability to conduct their operations effectively in the long term. In its letter, the government largely concurs with the Swedish National Audit Office's observations. The government works continuously with the question of state presence throughout the country. An important starting point for the government is that agencies can conduct their operations effectively regardless of where they are located. This is something the government monitors within the framework of ongoing agency management. The Riksdag views positively that the government continuously works with the question of state presence throughout the country. With this, the Riksdag filed the government's letter with the records, that is, concluded the matter, and rejected the motions.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the government to implement a program for relocating state agencies from Stockholm. (S, V, MP) — 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 requires that regional policy be pursued to reduce gaps, that regional development occurs through cooperation rather than as competition between them, and that welfare and services are available everywhere.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that regional policy be pursued to reduce gaps, that regional development occurs through cooperation rather than as competition between them, and that welfare and services are available everywhere. A coordinated programme for relocating and reorganizing government agencies is a tool against the centralization the counter-proposal points to. The plan does not address the ongoing efforts the committee refers to.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att regionalpolitiken drivs för att minska klyftorna, att regionernas utveckling sker i samverkan i stället för som en kamp mellan dem, och att välfärd och service finns överallt. Ett samlat program för ny- och omlokalisering av myndigheter är ett verktyg mot den centralisering motförslaget pekar på. Planen berör inte de pågående insatser utskottet hänvisar till.
- reduce regional gapsdecisive»Regionalpolitiken ska därför drivas för att minska klyftorna.« (party programme ↗)“Regional policy should therefore be pursued to reduce the gaps.”
- regional cooperation against centralization»regionerna måste ske i samverkan, och inte som idag som en kamp« (party programme ↗)“regions must occur through cooperation, and not as today as a struggle”
- state presence throughout the country»Välfärden måste vara till för alla och finnas överallt.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Welfare must be for everyone and exist everywhere.”
The plan requires that the state shall be present throughout the country and that knowledge centres and activities be spread evenly, since the whole country shall be able to live and develop.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that the state shall be present throughout the country and that knowledge centres and activities be spread evenly, since the whole country shall be able to live and develop. A comprehensive programme for new location and relocation of agencies is a means for that commitment, and the examples of centralisation cited go counter to the plan's direction. The plan specifies no programme form, but the regional equality principle carries the position.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att staten ska finnas närvarande i hela landet och att kunskapscentra och verksamheter sprids jämnt, eftersom hela landet ska kunna leva och utvecklas. Ett samlat program för ny- och omlokalisering av myndigheter är ett medel för det åtagandet, och de exempel på centralisering som anförs går tvärtemot planens riktning. Planen anger inte programform, men den regionala jämlikhetsprincipen bär ställningstagandet.
- state presence throughout the countrydecisive»Staten ska finnas närvarande i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The state shall be present throughout the country.”
- even regional spread»en jämn spridning av kunskapscentra över hela landet.« (party programme ↗)“an even spread of knowledge centres across the whole country.”
- the whole country shall live»Alla har ett gemensamt intresse av att hela landet kan leva och utvecklas.« (party programme ↗)“All have a shared interest in the whole country being able to live and develop.”
- strengthened municipalities and regions»Vi vill fortsätta öka statens bidrag till kommuner och regioner.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to continue increasing state grants to municipalities and regions.”
The plan's decentralist basic view means that decisions should be made as close to citizens as possible and that power should not be moved further away from people.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan's decentralist basic view means that decisions should be made as close to citizens as possible and that power should not be moved further away from people. The party programme furthermore requires state presence and high-quality jobs throughout the country and rules that work equally well for small municipalities. A comprehensive programme for relocating and establishing new government offices opposes the centralization the plan speaks against.
Original (Swedish)
Planens decentralistiska grundsyn innebär att beslut ska tas så nära medborgarna som möjligt och att makt inte ska flyttas längre bort från människor. Partiprogrammet kräver dessutom statlig närvaro och högkvalificerade jobb i hela landet samt regelverk som fungerar lika bra för små kommuner. Ett samlat program för ny- och omlokalisering av myndigheter motverkar den centralisering planen vänder sig mot.
- decentralist basic viewdecisive»Miljöpartiet har en decentralistisk grundsyn som« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party has a decentralist basic view that”
- decisions close to citizens»Beslut bör tas så nära medborgarna som möjligt.« (party programme ↗)“Decisions should be made as close to citizens as possible.”
- state presence throughout the country»Samhällsfunktioner som polis, arbetsförmedling och« (party programme ↗)“Public functions such as police, employment service and”
- jobs throughout the country»Ett fungerande samhälle bygger på välfärd, utveckling och högkvalificerade jobb i hela landet.« (party programme ↗)“A functioning society is built on welfare, development and high-quality jobs throughout the country.”
The election manifesto demands that power be decentralized and establishes that authorities' presence has declined in many places, which lowers trust.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The election manifesto demands that power be decentralized and establishes that authorities' presence has declined in many places, which lowers trust. The manifesto establishes that the whole country is needed and that all parts of Sweden shall see increased accessibility, and the party programme that all parts of the country are given equivalent conditions. A comprehensive programme for relocation and consolidation of government agencies is a means for precisely this and is therefore supported by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Valmanifestet kräver att makt decentraliseras och konstaterar att myndigheters närvaro minskat på många håll, vilket sänker tilliten. Manifestet slår fast att hela landet behövs och att alla delar av Sverige ska se ökad tillgänglighet, och partiprogrammet att alla delar av landet ges likvärdiga förutsättningar. Ett samlat program för ny- och omlokalisering av myndigheter är ett medel för just detta och stöds därför av planen.
- decentralize moredecisive»Decentralisera mera. Människor ska få bestämma mer själva, och politiska beslut ska fattas nära dem som berörs.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Decentralize more. People should decide more for themselves, and political decisions should be made near those affected.”
- authorities' presence has declined»På många håll har myndigheters närvaro och förståelse för människors livssituation minskat, vilket leder till lägre tillit.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“In many places, authorities' presence and understanding of people's life situations has declined, which leads to lower trust.”
- the whole country is needed»Hela landet behövs, från förort till industriort, från storstad till landsbygd.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The whole country is needed, from suburbs to industrial towns, from cities to countryside.”
- equivalent conditions in the country»Alla delar av landet ska ges likvärdiga förutsättningar för utveckling och tillväxt.« (party programme ↗)“All parts of the country shall be given equivalent conditions for development and growth.”
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 state authorities be present in all parts of Sweden, that access to state services be secured throughout the country and that individuals regardless of place of residence receive equivalent quality in public services.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that state authorities be present in all parts of Sweden, that access to state services be secured throughout the country and that individuals regardless of place of residence receive equivalent quality in public services. A comprehensive programme for new location and relocation of authorities is a means to these commitments and counteracts the centralisation the counter-proposal points to. The plan does not express itself on programmes as a method, therefore derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att statliga myndigheter finns närvarande i alla delar av Sverige, att tillgången till statlig service säkras i hela landet och att individer oavsett bostadsort får likvärdig kvalitet i offentliga tjänster. Ett samlat program för ny- och omlokalisering av myndigheter är ett medel för dessa åtaganden och motverkar den centralisering motförslaget pekar på. Planen uttalar sig inte om program som metod, därför härlett.
- authorities throughout the countrydecisive»statliga myndigheter ska finnas närvarande i alla delar av Sverige« (2022 manifesto ↗)“state authorities shall be present in all parts of Sweden”
- state services throughout the country»Tillgången till statlig service ska säkras i hela landet.« (party programme ↗)“Access to state services shall be secured throughout the country.”
- equivalent services regardless of municipality»Oavsett bostadsort har individer rätt att få likvärdig kvalitet på vården, omsorgen, socialtjänsten« (party programme ↗)“Regardless of place of residence, individuals have the right to equivalent quality in healthcare, care, social services”
- growth throughout the country»företagande, innovationer och tillväxt ska stärkas i hela landet.« (party programme ↗)“entrepreneurship, innovation and growth shall be strengthened throughout the country.”
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 societal planning is characterized by a purposeful striving towards a decentralized society and that state services are accessible throughout Sweden, and the election manifesto wants to establish more state service offices.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that societal planning is characterized by a purposeful striving towards a decentralized society and that state services are accessible throughout Sweden, and the election manifesto wants to establish more state service offices. The counter-proposal's requirement for a new comprehensive programme for relocation and new placement of authorities is a means for precisely this and counteracts the centralization the plan wants to prevent.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att samhällsplaneringen präglas av en målmedveten strävan mot ett decentraliserat samhälle och att den statliga servicen är tillgänglig i hela Sverige, och valmanifestet vill inrätta fler statliga servicekontor. Motförslagets krav på ett nytt samlat program för ny- och omlokalisering av myndigheter är ett medel för just detta och vänder sig mot den centralisering planen vill motverka.
- decentralized societydecisive»präglas av en målmedveten strävan mot ett decentraliserat samhälle.« (party programme ↗)“characterized by a purposeful striving towards a decentralized society.”
- state services throughout the country»den statliga servicen är tillgänglig i hela Sverige.« (party programme ↗)“state services are accessible throughout Sweden.”
- more state service offices»Fler poliser med lokal närvaro, utbyggd primärvård, enklare starta lokal läkarmottagning och inrätta fler statliga servicekontor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More police with local presence, expanded primary care, easier to start local medical practice and establish more state service offices.”
- all of Sweden shall live»Målet är att hela Sverige ska leva« (party programme ↗)“The goal is that all of Sweden shall live”
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 contains nothing about new or relocation of authorities.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan contains nothing about new or relocation of authorities. Its authority policy is about going through authorities' budgets to free up resources, shorten processing times and fight waste, which argues against a new comprehensive relocation programme. At the same time, the plan wants the whole country to function, so the conclusion is uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen innehåller inget om ny- eller omlokalisering av myndigheter. Dess myndighetspolitik handlar om att gå igenom myndigheternas ekonomi för att frigöra resurser, korta handläggningstider och bekämpa slöseri, vilket talar mot ett nytt samlat omlokaliseringsprogram. Samtidigt vill planen att hela landet ska fungera, varför slutsatsen är osäker.
- make authorities more efficientdecisive»Inrätta ett effektiviseringskansli som ska gå inom alla myndigheters ekonomi för att frigöra resurser till försvaret« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Establish an efficiency office that should review all authorities' budgets to free up resources for defence”
- fight public waste»Offentligt slöseri i alla former ska bekämpas.« (party programme ↗)“Public waste in all forms must be fought.”
- efficient administration»Korta myndigheternas handläggningstider genom en bortre tidsgräns« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Shorten authorities' processing times through a far deadline”
- the whole country should function»Du ska kunna känna dig trygg med att välfärden fungerar oavsett var i landet du bor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“You should be able to feel secure that welfare works regardless of where in the country you live.”
The plan explicitly sees potential in relocating more government jobs to smaller communities and requires policy for all of Sweden where prosperity reaches the whole country.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly sees potential in relocating more government jobs to smaller communities and requires policy for all of Sweden where prosperity reaches the whole country. It also wants decisions to be made at the lowest appropriate level, close to citizens. A comprehensive programme for new and relocation of government agencies is a tool that aligns with this.
Original (Swedish)
Planen ser uttryckligen potential i att utlokalisera fler myndighetsjobb till mindre orter och kräver en politik för hela Sverige där välståndet kommer hela landet till del. Den vill också att beslut fattas på lägsta ändamålsenliga nivå, nära medborgarna. Ett samlat program för ny- och omlokalisering av myndigheter är ett verktyg som ligger i linje med detta.
- relocation of government jobsdecisive»Sverigedemokraterna ser potential för att utlokalisera fler myndighetsjobb till mindre orter men det främsta verktyget för tillväxt och jobb på landsbygd är enklare regler och möjligheter för landsbygden att växa.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats see potential for relocating more government jobs to smaller communities but the primary tool for growth and jobs in rural areas is simpler rules and opportunities for rural areas to grow.”
- policy for all of Sweden»Bedriva en politik för hela Sverige« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Conduct policy for all of Sweden”
- prosperity in the whole country»Låta hela landet få del av välstånd« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Let the whole country share in prosperity”
- decisions near citizens»fattas på lägsta ändamålsenliga nivå« (party programme ↗)“made at the lowest appropriate 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.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:NU6)
- Committee report full text (HB01NU6)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:1023 — Återgång till en aktiv politik för statlig närvaro i hela landet av Kalle Olsson och Anna-Caren Sätherberg (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1128 — En statlig myndighet i Halland av Helena Storckenfeldt och Lars Püss (båda M)
- Motion 2023/24:113 — Omlokalisering av statliga myndigheter av Margareta Cederfelt (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1358 — En kommunpolitik för hela landet av Lars Isacsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1359 — Högre utbildning för hela landet av Lars Isacsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:144 — Statlig närvaro i Dalarna av Mathias Bengtsson (KD)
- Motion 2023/24:1571 — Myndigheter till Halland av Adnan Dibrani och Jennie Nilsson (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:1653 — Flytt av Livsmedelsverket och Tullverket till Skåne av Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)
- Motion 2023/24:1874 — Statliga jobb och statlig service i hela landet av Amanda Lind m.fl. (MP)
- Motion 2023/24:2551 — Omlokalisering av statlig myndighet till Blekinge av Heléne Björklund och Magnus Manhammar (båda S)
- Motion 2023/24:2685 — Utgiftsområde 1 Rikets styrelse av Ida Karkiainen m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:29 — med anledning av skr. 2022/23:125 Riksrevisionens rapport om etablering av myndigheter utanför Stockholm av Fredrik Olovsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:775 — Statlig myndighet till Halland av Larry Söder (KD)
- Motion 2023/24:947 — Omlokalisering av statliga arbetstillfällen till Gävleborg av Kristoffer Lindberg (S)
- Regeringens skrivelse 2022/23:125 — Riksrevisionens rapport om etablering av myndigheter utanför Stockholm
Source: The Swedish Parliament