2026-02-042025/26:KU19 · p.12KUConstitution
Review of elected representatives' conditions, etc.
Review of MPs' conditions for combining the parliamentary mandate with work and family life
What's at stake: How the conditions are shaped can affect who chooses to become an MP and how easily the role can be combined with family and other work. It may also affect the diversity of people drawn into politics.
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 Riksdag Board should review elected members' conditions to make it easier to combine the role of MP with work and family life, or whether it should continue to be up to each individual member to decide their own work situation.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee maintains that elected representatives should be given good conditions for their role, but rejects the motions calling for measures to make it easier to combine the parliamentary mandate with work and family life and for improving members' ability to develop the work of the Riksdag effectively, as well as the motion calling for members to work in other fields during the summer recess. The committee's view is that it is primarily up to the individual member to decide whether their work situation allows for duties alongside the mandate, that voters ultimately settle the matter in elections, and that a rule obliging members to work outside parliament could exclude certain groups from being able to take on the role.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 3 (C)
The reservation (C) calls for the Riksdag Board to review elected representatives' conditions to make it easier to combine the mandate with work and family life, and then issue recommendations to make it easier for more people to seek such positions. The reasoning is that work in one's own constituency is an important part of the role, and that the coronavirus pandemic showed that there is considerable scope for flexibility in working methods without harming the democratic work.
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 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 | Yes 19/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| S | No | Yes 91/0/0/15 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | derived |
| MP | No | Yes 12/0/0/6 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| C | No | No 0/21/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| KD | No | Yes 14/0/0/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | No | Yes 58/0/0/10 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 62/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2025/26:1406 by Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M), 2025/26:1663 by Carl Nordblom (M) and 2025/26:3583 by Muharrem Demirok et al. (C) item 19.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2025/26:1406 av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M), 2025/26:1663 av Carl Nordblom (M) och 2025/26:3583 av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C) yrkande 19.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 50 proposals in motions from the general motion period 2025 concerning the Riksdag's working methods. The proposals concern, among other things, the opening of the Riksdag session, the right to submit motions, transparency in the register of Riksdag members' financial interests, review of elected representatives' conditions and the Riksdag Administration's activities. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to the fact that investigations are already underway in several of the issues covered by the proposals.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the Parliament Board to conduct an overview to facilitate combining elected positions with family life and work. (C) — 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 lacks concrete commitments about the working conditions of Riksdag members, but establishes that the party wants to break up the structures that hold many back from participating on equal terms in political life.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan lacks concrete commitments about the working conditions of Riksdag members, but establishes that the party wants to break up the structures that hold many back from participating on equal terms in political life. A review that makes the assignment easier to combine with work and family life lies in line with that, as does the plan's general demand that everyone should be able to balance working life and other life. The conclusion, however, is based only on principles.
Original (Swedish)
Planen saknar konkreta åtaganden om riksdagsledamöters arbetsvillkor, men slår fast att partiet vill bryta upp de strukturer som håller tillbaka många från att delta på jämlika villkor i det politiska livet. En översyn som gör uppdraget lättare att förena med arbete och familjeliv ligger i linje med det, liksom med planens allmänna krav på att alla ska kunna balansera arbetsliv och övrigt liv. Slutsatsen bygger dock enbart på principer.
- equal political participationdecisive»som fortfarande håller tillbaka många från att delta på jämlika villkor i« (party programme ↗)“that still hold many back from participating on equal terms in”
- balance between work and life»Alla människor behöver goda möjligheter att balansera arbetsliv, vila« (party programme ↗)“All people need good opportunities to balance working life, rest”
- deepened democracy»Vi vill bygga vidare på Sveriges demokratisering.« (party programme ↗)“We want to build further on Sweden's democratization.”
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 address the working conditions of Riksdag members, but the closest principle is that the party strives for an order with equal conditions to participate in democracy so that more can engage.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address the working conditions of Riksdag members, but the closest principle is that the party strives for an order with equal conditions to participate in democracy so that more can engage. The party programme also demands good balance between professional and private life. A review that makes the representative assignment easier to reconcile with work and family is in line with this, which is why the plan supports the counter-proposal's demand.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte riksdagsledamöters arbetsvillkor, men den närmast liggande principen är att partiet strävar efter en ordning med jämlika förutsättningar att delta i demokratin så att fler kan engagera sig. Partiprogrammet kräver också god balans mellan yrkesliv och privatliv. En översyn som gör förtroendeuppdraget lättare att förena med arbete och familj ligger i linje med detta, varför planen stöder motförslagets krav.
- equal conditions to participatedecisive»en ordning med jämlika förutsättningar att delta i demokratin« (party programme ↗)“an order with equal conditions to participate in democracy”
- balance work and private life»God balans ska råda mellan arbete och ledighet, mellan yrkesliv och privatliv.« (party programme ↗)“Good balance shall prevail between work and leisure, between professional and private life.”
- broad democratic engagement»Livskraftiga folkrörelser för att hålla ihop samhället.« (party programme ↗)“Viable popular movements to hold society together.”
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 states that everyone should have the opportunity to work politically at some point in life and that democratic exclusion, which is linked to income, education and lack of representation, should be countered.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that everyone should have the opportunity to work politically at some point in life and that democratic exclusion, which is linked to income, education and lack of representation, should be countered. A review that makes the assignment easier to combine with work and family life broadens recruitment to elected positions. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att alla bör få möjlighet att arbeta politiskt under någon del av livet och att det demokratiska utanförskapet, som hänger samman med inkomst, utbildning och bristande representation, ska motverkas. En översyn som gör uppdraget lättare att kombinera med arbete och familjeliv breddar just rekryteringen till förtroendeuppdrag. Planen stöder därför motförslaget.
- broad political recruitmentdecisive»Alla bör få möjlighet att arbeta politiskt under någon del av livet.« (party programme ↗)“Everyone should have the opportunity to work politically at some point in life.”
- counteract lack of representation»Det utanförskapet hänger ofta samman med faktorer som inkomst, utbildning och en brist på representation.« (party programme ↗)“That exclusion is often linked to factors such as income, education and a lack of representation.”
- strengthened civic influence»Vi i Miljöpartiet arbetar för att stärka och utveckla det medborgerliga inflytandet.« (party programme ↗)“We in the Green Party work to strengthen and develop civic influence.”
- flexibility and control over time»Arbetsplatser ska erbjuda trygghet, flexibilitet och makt över sin tid.« (party programme ↗)“Workplaces shall offer security, flexibility and control over one's time.”
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 says nothing about elected officials' working conditions, but bears two principles that point towards the counter-proposal's direction: that liberal democracy shall be cared for and developed, and that decision levels should be designed so that people can actively participate.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says nothing about elected officials' working conditions, but bears two principles that point towards the counter-proposal's direction: that liberal democracy shall be cared for and developed, and that decision levels should be designed so that people can actively participate. That making the assignment easier to combine with work and family life also lies close to the commitment to equal responsibility for home and family. The evidence is, however, thin and the conclusion derived.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger ingenting om förtroendevaldas arbetsvillkor, men bär två principer som pekar åt motförslagets håll: att den liberala demokratin ska vårdas och vidareutvecklas, och att beslutsnivåerna ska vara utformade så att människor aktivt kan delta. Att göra uppdraget lättare att kombinera med arbete och familjeliv ligger också nära åtagandet om ett jämställt ansvar för hem och familj. Underlaget är dock tunt och slutsatsen härledd.
- brett deltagande i beslutdecisive»regional nivå, med legitimitet och insyn, så att människor aktivt kan delta i besluten.« (party programme ↗)“regional level, with legitimacy and transparency, so that people can actively participate in decisions.”
- demokratin ska vidareutvecklas»Den liberala demokratin får aldrig tas för given. Den ska vårdas, värnas och vidareutvecklas — idag och för kommande generationer.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Liberal democracy must never be taken for granted. It shall be cared for, protected and developed — today and for coming generations.”
- jämställt familjeansvar»ett jämställt ansvar för hem och familj« (party programme ↗)“equal responsibility for home and family”
The plan states that democracy requires that citizens want and dare to engage politically and that women and men shall have the same opportunity to be active citizens.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that democracy requires that citizens want and dare to engage politically and that women and men shall have the same opportunity to be active citizens. It also requires that it shall be possible to combine parenthood with work. An overview of elected officials' conditions with recommendations that make the assignment easier to combine with work and family lies in that line.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att demokratin förutsätter att medborgare vill och vågar engagera sig politiskt och att kvinnor och män ska ha samma möjlighet att vara aktiva medborgare. Den kräver också att det ska gå att förena föräldraskap med arbete. En översyn av förtroendevaldas villkor med rekommendationer som gör uppdraget lättare att förena med arbete och familj ligger i den linjen.
- equal opportunity for political participationdecisive»Särskilt viktigt är det att verka för att kvinnor och män har samma rätt och möjlighet att vara aktiva medborgare, och att motverka maktklyftor som baseras på skillnader i kunskap eller tilltro till den politiska processen.« (party programme ↗)“Especially important is to work for women and men having the same right and opportunity to be active citizens, and to counteract power gaps based on differences in knowledge or confidence in the political process.”
- broad political engagement»Demokratin förutsätter att medborgare vill och vågar engagera sig politiskt.« (party programme ↗)“Democracy requires that citizens want and dare to engage politically.”
- combine assignment and family life»I ett jämställt samhälle måste det vara möjligt att kombinera föräldraskap med förvärvsarbete eller företagande.« (party programme ↗)“In an equal society, it must be possible to combine parenthood with paid work or business.”
- vitalized democracy»Det behövs fler möjligheter att följa den politiska processen och påverka beslutsfattandet.« (party programme ↗)“There is a need for more opportunities to follow the political process and influence decision-making.”
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 requires that working methods within the representative political system be developed so that active participation is encouraged and real influence can be achieved.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme requires that working methods within the representative political system be developed so that active participation is encouraged and real influence can be achieved. A review that makes the assignment easier to combine with work and family life, and recommendations that encourage more to seek these assignments, is precisely such development. The plan also emphasizes equal representation and that all political decisions shall be analyzed based on their consequences for families. The requirement is supported.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet kräver att arbetsformerna inom det representativa politiska systemet utvecklas så att aktivt deltagande uppmuntras och verkligt inflytande kan uppnås. En översyn som gör uppdraget lättare att förena med arbete och familjeliv, och rekommendationer som får fler att söka sig till uppdragen, är precis den utvecklingen. Planen betonar dessutom jämn representation och att alla politiska beslut ska analyseras utifrån konsekvenserna för familjer. Kravet stöds.
- developed working methods in democracydecisive»För det krävs att arbetsformerna inom det representativa politiska systemet, den offentliga förvaltningen och partierna utvecklas så att det aktiva deltagandet uppmuntras« (party programme ↗)“For that requires that working methods within the representative political system, the public administration and the parties be developed so that active participation is encouraged”
- equal representation»Förutsättningarna för bra politiska beslut ökar när kvinnor och män finns jämnt representerade i alla beslutande församlingar.« (party programme ↗)“The conditions for good political decisions increase when women and men are equally represented in all decision-making bodies.”
- family perspective in all decisions»Därför bör alla politiska beslut analyseras utifrån vilka konsekvenser de får för familjer och nära relationer.« (party programme ↗)“Therefore, all political decisions should be analyzed based on what consequences they have for families and close relationships.”
- influence over working hours»En viktig faktor är möjligheten att påverka arbetstidens omfattning och förläggning.« (party programme ↗)“An important factor is the possibility to influence the scope and placement of working time.”
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 address the working conditions of elected representatives.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan does not address the working conditions of elected representatives. The closest principle is that a strong democracy requires people who are willing to engage politically and devote time and effort to elected positions, and that Sweden should have a vibrant political life. A review that makes the role easier to reconcile with work and family life is in line with that principle, but the basis is weak.
Original (Swedish)
Planen behandlar inte de förtroendevaldas arbetsvillkor. Närmast liggande princip är att en stark demokrati förutsätter människor som är villiga att engagera sig politiskt och avsätta tid och kraft för förtroendeuppdrag, och att Sverige ska ha ett levande politiskt liv. En översyn som gör uppdraget lättare att förena med arbete och familjeliv ligger i linje med den principen, men underlaget är svagt.
- willingness for elected officedecisive»engagera sig politiskt, att avsätta tid och kraft för förtroende« (party programme ↗)“engage politically, devote time and effort to elected positions”
- vibrant political life»Sverige ska ha ett levande politiskt liv« (party programme ↗)“Sweden shall have a vibrant political life”
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 says nothing about members of parliament's working conditions, but its family policy approach is that working life should be organised around the family's and children's needs rather than after politicians' wishes, and that families should be free to make their own decisions about their daily lives.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan says nothing about members of parliament's working conditions, but its family policy approach is that working life should be organised around the family's and children's needs rather than after politicians' wishes, and that families should be free to make their own decisions about their daily lives. A review that makes it easier to combine elected office with work and family life is in line with this, as is the plan's effort to bring decisions closer to citizens. The conclusion is derived and uncertain.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger inget om riksdagsledamöters arbetsvillkor, men dess familjepolitiska grundhållning är att arbetslivet ska organiseras kring familjens och barnens behov snarare än efter politikernas önskemål, och att familjer ska vara fria att fatta egna beslut om sin vardag. En översyn som gör det lättare att kombinera förtroendeuppdrag med arbete och familjeliv ligger i linje med detta, liksom med planens strävan att föra beslut närmare medborgarna. Slutsatsen är härledd och osäker.
- working life around the family's needsdecisive»Den ekonomiska familjepolitiken behöver ändra kurs från tvingande reformer som begränsar handlingsutrymme och välmående, till en mer familjefrämjande attityd där fokus ligger på att organisera arbetslivet kring familjens och barnens behov snarare än efter politikernas egna önskemål.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Economic family policy needs to change course from coercive reforms that limit scope for action and well-being, to a more family-friendly attitude where the focus is on organising working life around the family's and children's needs rather than after politicians' own wishes.”
- family's freedom of action»Familjer ska vara fria att fatta egna beslut om sin vardag där barn ska ha tillgång till båda sina föräldrar och förhållandena vara goda.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Families should be free to make their own decisions about their daily lives where children have access to both their parents and conditions are good.”
- democratic legitimacy»För att öka den demokratiska legitimiteten bör beslut så långt det går föras närmre medborgarna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“In order to increase democratic legitimacy, decisions should as far as possible be brought closer to citizens.”
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:KU19)
- Committee report full text (HD01KU19)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:1041 — Al-nakba av Jamal El-Haj (-)
- Motion 2025/26:1056 — Fira Sveriges statschef H.M. Konung Carl XVI Gustafs 80-årsdag med ett porträtt i Sveriges riksdag av Marie-Louise Hänel Sandström m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1058 — Dag Hammarskjölds fotokonst av Gudrun Brunegård (KD)
- Motion 2025/26:1092 — Avskaffa allmänna motionstiden av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1406 — Översyn av riksdagsledamöters arbete i syfte att göra det enklare att använda tiden effektivt av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1436 — Ett data- och digitaliseringsutskott i riksdagen av Markus Selin (S)
- Motion 2025/26:152 — Svenska flaggan som gåva från riksdagen eller dess ledamöter till allmänheten av Eric Palmqvist (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1524 — Stärkt demokrati - mot hot och förföljelse av förtroendevalda, tjänstemän och minoriteter av Emma Ahlström Köster (M)
- Motion 2025/26:153 — Hörselskadade och riksdagen av Eric Palmqvist (SD)
- Motion 2025/26:1539 — Öppen licensiering av riksdagens information av Niels Paarup-Petersen (C)
- Motion 2025/26:1542 — Avskaffande av riktkarlssystemet i riksdagen av Alireza Akhondi (C)
- Motion 2025/26:1549 — Hantering av enskilda motioner av Alireza Akhondi (C)
- Motion 2025/26:1624 — Inrättande av ett omställningsutskott i riksdagen av Magnus Manhammar m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1663 — Tjänstgöring för riksdagsledamöter inom totalförsvaret eller samhällsviktiga områden under sommaren av Carl Nordblom (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1689 — Ledamöters placering i plenisalen av Margareta Cederfelt (M)
- Motion 2025/26:1877 — Riksdagens resebidragssystem för skolbesök av Laila Naraghi (S)
- Motion 2025/26:1992 — Upprätta bättre säkerhet utanför riksdagshusen av Sten Bergheden och Johanna Rantsi (båda M)
- Motion 2025/26:2517 — Minnesplats för Dag Hammarskjöld i riksdagen av Morgan Johansson (S)
- Motion 2025/26:2557 — Inrättande av ett utskott för kommunala och regionala frågor av Mattias Eriksson Falk och Roger Hedlund (båda SD)
- Motion 2025/26:276 — Ändring i grundlagen och avlägsnande av EU-symbol i riksdagens plenisal av Björn Söder (SD)
Source: The Swedish Parliament