2025-12-032025/26:KU8 · p.1KUConstitution
Constitutional proposal and amendments to the main provisions of the Rules of Procedure
Constitutional amendments on the government's crisis powers
What's at stake: The decision is the first of two the constitution requires to amend the Instrument of Government, and settles where the line falls for the government's scope of action in war and serious crises. It affects how quickly new rules can be put in place during a crisis, but also how well citizens' rights and freedoms are protected against rules decided without parliament's prior approval.
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 parliament should adopt, as a dormant constitutional proposal, the government's amendments to the Instrument of Government and the Riksdag Act - which among other things let the government, in serious peacetime crises, decide on restrictions to rights and freedoms or in the field of civil law without a prior activation decision by parliament - or whether that power should remain with parliament alone.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee shares the government's assessment that the current provisions of the Instrument of Government do not meet the rule-making needs of a serious peacetime crisis in two respects: parliament cannot, in peacetime, authorise the government to issue rules in the mandatory legislative domain, and there is no solution for cases where new rules are needed almost immediately or when parliament is temporarily unable to carry out its work. The committee therefore backs adopting the constitutional amendments as a dormant proposal, together with strengthened arrangements for parliament to convene and a retained war delegation.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (MP)
The reservation (MP) essentially supports the proposal, but wants parliament to reject the specific part that gives the government the same power as parliament to decide on restrictions to rights and freedoms or in the field of civil law, without either the activation decision being made by parliament or the rules being approved in advance. The reasoning is that, under the proposal, such rules could remain in force for up to a month before being submitted to parliament and possibly repealed, with no bar against a repealed measure being reintroduced in similar form - which could have serious consequences for individuals and businesses. The power to decide on such restrictions should instead stay with parliament, which already has the tools to handle unforeseen situations quickly.
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 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 | Yes 19/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| S | No | Yes 92/0/0/14 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| MP | No | No 0/15/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| C | No | Yes 21/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| L | No | Yes 14/0/0/2 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | derived |
| SD | Yes | Yes 63/0/0/9 | follows 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 Procedure of the Riksdag in the parts concerning main provisions and headings preceding main provisions. Thereby, the Riksdag grants proposition 2024/25:155 points 1 and 2.1 and rejects motion 2025/26:78 by Jan Riise et al. (MP).
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen antar som vilande regeringens förslag till 1. lag om ändring i regeringsformen, 2. lag om ändring i riksdagsordningen i de delar det avser huvudbestämmelser och rubriker före huvudbestämmelser. Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2024/25:155 punkterna 1 och 2.1 samt avslår motion 2025/26:78 av Jan Riise m.fl. (MP).
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag and government should be given better conditions to fulfill their tasks and make necessary decisions on a legal basis in war and other severe crises. The Riksdag approved adopting, as pending, the government's proposal to amend the Instrument of Government and the Rules of Procedure of the Riksdag in the parts concerning the main provisions. The government's proposal includes the following, among other things: The Riksdag's ability to convene is strengthened. The Riksdag's war delegation is retained for war and war threat, and the rules regarding the delegation are adjusted. Among other things, the Speaker gets a role corresponding to that in the Riksdag. Furthermore, a member who becomes a minister shall no longer be able to serve in the delegation. New provisions on rule-making in serious peacetime crisis situations are introduced. The regulation means that the Riksdag with qualified majority shall be able to give the government special powers to issue regulations if needed to handle the crisis situation. These powers can be recalled by the Riksdag at any time. Since the proposal concerns constitutional amendments, the Riksdag must vote equally twice on the proposal and a general election must be held between the votes. This is the first decision on the proposal. The Riksdag approved adopting the proposal as pending. The legislative changes are proposed to come into force on 1 January 2027.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants parliament to reject the government's proposal to give the government the ability to introduce restrictions on freedoms and rights without a parliamentary decision. (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 asserts that the constitutional laws shall protect democracy and people's freedoms and rights, and that the people's political power over the state is exercised by the Riksdag to which the government is accountable.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan asserts that the constitutional laws shall protect democracy and people's freedoms and rights, and that the people's political power over the state is exercised by the Riksdag to which the government is accountable. That the government on its own could decide on restrictions of freedoms and rights for up to a month without an activation decision contradicts both these commitments. The counter-proposal's demand that precisely this part be exempted is therefore supported by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att grundlagarna ska värna demokratin och människors fri- och rättigheter, och att folkets politiska makt över staten utövas av riksdagen som regeringen är ansvarig inför. Att regeringen på egen hand skulle kunna besluta om begränsningar av fri- och rättigheter i upp till en månad utan aktiveringsbeslut går emot båda dessa åtaganden. Motförslagets krav på att just den delen undantas stöds därför av planen.
- constitutional protection of freedoms and rightsdecisive»Grundlagarna ska värna demokratin och människors fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“The constitutional laws shall protect democracy and people's freedoms and rights.”
- Riksdag's supremacy»Folkets politiska makt över staten ska utövas av riksdagen, tillsatt genom allmänna, fria och rättvisa val« (party programme ↗)“The people's political power over the state shall be exercised by the Riksdag, composed through universal, free and fair elections”
- government's accountability to the Riksdag»Regeringen ska vara ansvarig inför riksdagen.« (party programme ↗)“The government shall be accountable to the Riksdag.”
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 sees the principle that all public authority derives from the people and parliamentary democracy as fundamental and demands protection for citizens' freedoms and rights.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan sees the principle that all public authority derives from the people and parliamentary democracy as fundamental and demands protection for citizens' freedoms and rights. That the government on its own could decide on rights restrictions for up to a month without activation decision or prior approval goes against this. The counter-proposal's demand to exempt precisely that part is therefore supported.
Original (Swedish)
Planen ser principen att all offentlig makt utgår från folket och den parlamentariska demokratin som grundläggande och kräver skydd för medborgerliga fri- och rättigheter. Att regeringen på egen hand skulle kunna besluta om rättighetsbegränsningar i upp till en månad utan aktiveringsbeslut eller förhandsgodkännande går emot detta. Motförslagets krav att undanta just den delen stöds därför.
- protection for freedoms and rightsdecisive»Skydd för medborgerliga fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“Protection for citizens' freedoms and rights.”
- parliamentary democracy fundamental»ser principen om att all offentlig makt utgår från folket och den parlamentariska demokratin« (party programme ↗)“sees the principle that all public authority derives from the people and parliamentary democracy”
- principles of the rule of law»Slå vakt om rättsstatens principer.« (party programme ↗)“Guard the principles of the rule of law.”
- protected democratic institutions»De demokratiska institutionerna måste skyddas.« (party programme ↗)“Democratic institutions must be protected.”
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 protect the constitution against rapid changes and establishes that excessive concentration of power is undemocratic and that power shall be scrutinized critically.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan wants to protect the constitution against rapid changes and establishes that excessive concentration of power is undemocratic and that power shall be scrutinized critically. That the government on its own could decide to limit freedoms and rights for up to a month without an activation decision is precisely such a power shift. The counter-proposal's requirement to exempt that part therefore lies in line with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen vill skydda grundlagen mot snabba förändringar och slår fast att överdriven maktkoncentration är odemokratisk och att makt ska granskas kritiskt. Att regeringen på egen hand skulle kunna besluta om begränsningar av fri- och rättigheter i upp till en månad utan aktiveringsbeslut är just en sådan maktförskjutning. Motförslagets krav på att undanta den delen ligger därför i linje med planen.
- safeguard the constitutiondecisive»skydda Sveriges grundlag mot snabba förändringar« (2022 manifesto ↗)“protect Sweden's constitution against rapid changes”
- power shall be divided and scrutinized»Överdriven maktkoncentration är odemokratiskt och korrumperar.« (party programme ↗)“Excessive concentration of power is undemocratic and corrupts.”
- thorough fairness testing»prövas noggrant utifrån rättssäkerhet och grundläggande fri- och rättigheter.« (party programme ↗)“be rigorously tested from the perspective of procedural fairness and fundamental freedoms and rights.”
- safeguard the rule of law»Miljöpartiet vill värna och stärka rättsstaten« (party programme ↗)“The Green Party wants to safeguard and strengthen the rule of law”
The plan states that fundamental rights must never be taken for granted and wants to protect the Riksdag's position and prevent the concentration of power to the executive.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan states that fundamental rights must never be taken for granted and wants to protect the Riksdag's position and prevent the concentration of power to the executive. That the government on its own could decide on restrictions of freedoms and rights, valid for up to a month before they are submitted to the Riksdag, is just such a concentration of power. The counter-proposal's requirement that the power remains with the legislative body therefore is in line with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att de grundläggande rättigheterna aldrig får tas för givna och vill skydda riksdagens ställning och motverka att maktbefogenheter centraliseras. Att regeringen på egen hand skulle kunna besluta om begränsningar av fri- och rättigheter, gällande upp till en månad innan de underställs riksdagen, är just en sådan koncentration av makt. Motförslagets krav på att befogenheten stannar hos den lagstiftande församlingen ligger därför i linje med planen.
- rights must not be taken for granteddecisive»Våra grundläggande rättigheter får inte tas för givna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Our fundamental rights must not be taken for granted.”
- protect the Riksdag's position»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 change the constitution, protect the position of the opposition in the Riksdag and strengthen the independence of the courts.”
- separation of powers against centralisation»en maktdelning där politiska beslut och andra maktbefogenheter inte centraliseras« (party programme ↗)“separation of powers where political decisions and other powers are not centralised”
- constitutional rights as protection»Konstitutionella fri-, och rättigheter är i detta sammanhang medborgarnas viktigaste« (party programme ↗)“Constitutional freedoms and rights are in this context citizens' most important”
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 counter-proposal wants the power to decide on restrictions of freedoms and rights to remain with the legislative assembly.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The counter-proposal wants the power to decide on restrictions of freedoms and rights to remain with the legislative assembly. The plan sets a clear boundary for public power, wants strong constitutional protection for individual freedoms and rights and meets increased public power claims with healthy scepticism. Giving the government such norm-setting power without prior decision thus lies outside what the plan accepts.
Original (Swedish)
Motförslaget vill att befogenheten att besluta om begränsningar av fri- och rättigheter stannar hos den lagstiftande församlingen. Planen sätter en tydlig gräns för den offentliga makten, vill ha ett starkt grundlagsskydd för de individuella fri- och rättigheterna och möter ökade offentliga maktanspråk med sund skepsis. Att ge regeringen sådan normgivningsmakt utan föregående beslut ligger därför utanför vad planen accepterar.
- strong constitutional protectiondecisive»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.”
- limited public power»Den politiska makten ska vara begränsad och utövas genom folkstyre. Liberalismen sätter en tydlig gräns för den offentliga makten.« (party programme ↗)“Political power shall be limited and exercised through democracy. Liberalism sets a clear boundary for public power.”
- scepticism toward power claims»I det liberala samhället är vaksamhet på hur den offentliga makten utövas, och en sund skepsis mot ökade offentliga maktanspråk, därför en självklarhet.« (party programme ↗)“In the liberal society, vigilance on how public power is exercised, and healthy scepticism against increased public power claims, is therefore a given.”
- strengthened constitutional protection»Vi vill se ett förstärkt grundlagsskydd för vårt demokratiska statsskick« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to see strengthened constitutional protection for our democratic state system”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan requires that the constitution ensure the individual's rights and protect them from abuses, and that democracy rest on a clear separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that the constitution ensure the individual's rights and protect them from abuses, and that democracy rest on a clear separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches. That the government on its own could decide on restrictions of freedoms and rights for up to a month without activation decision goes against this. The counter-proposal's requirement that the competence remain with the legislative assembly is therefore supported by the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att grundlagen säkerställer den enskildes rättigheter och skyddar dem från övergrepp, och att demokratin vilar på en klar maktdelning mellan lagstiftande och verkställande makt. Att regeringen på egen hand skulle kunna besluta om begränsningar av fri- och rättigheter i upp till en månad utan aktiveringsbeslut strider mot detta. Motförslagets krav på att befogenheten stannar hos den lagstiftande församlingen stöds därför av planen.
- constitutional protection of rightsdecisive»Grundlagen ska säkerställa de rättigheter som alltid ska finnas för den enskilda människan« (party programme ↗)“The constitution shall ensure those rights that shall always exist for the individual person”
- clear separation of powers»fungerande demokrati en klar maktdelning mellan den lagstiftande, den verkställande och« (party programme ↗)“functioning democracy a clear separation of powers between the legislative, the executive and”
- power must not be concentrated»Människans ofullkomlighet innebär att för mycket makt inte får läggas i en enskild« (party programme ↗)“Human imperfection means that too much power may not be placed in one individual”
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 a clear catalogue of freedoms and rights in the constitution that provides practical and effective protection for the individual, and promises to strengthen the independence of the courts.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires a clear catalogue of freedoms and rights in the constitution that provides practical and effective protection for the individual, and promises to strengthen the independence of the courts. The fact that the government on its own could decide on limitations of freedoms and rights for up to a month without the Riksdag's activation is at odds with the requirement for real separation of powers. The party programme's criticism of inadequate crisis preparedness weighs less than rights protection.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver en tydlig katalog av fri- och rättigheter i grundlagen som ger ett praktiskt och effektivt skydd för den enskilde, och lovar att stärka domstolarnas oberoende. Att regeringen på egen hand skulle kunna besluta om begränsningar av fri- och rättigheter i upp till en månad utan riksdagens aktivering står i strid med kravet på verklig maktdelning. Partiprogrammets kritik mot bristande krisberedskap väger lättare än rättighetsskyddet.
- clear rights cataloguedecisive»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.”
- protection of freedoms and rights»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”
- real separation of powers»Vår demokrati bygger på vår förmåga att slå vakt om grundlagarna, medborgarnas fri- och rättigheter, verklig maktdelning och våra domstolars oberoende.« (party programme ↗)“Our democracy is built on our ability to defend the constitution, citizens' freedoms and rights, real separation of powers and the independence of our courts.”
- strengthened crisis preparedness»brister i vår beredskap och statsmaktens oförmåga att agera« (party programme ↗)“shortcomings in our preparedness and the state's inability to act”
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 special crisis legislation that regulates how emergency measures can quickly be implemented by the public sector during a crisis.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires special crisis legislation that regulates how emergency measures can quickly be implemented by the public sector during a crisis. The counter-proposal wants to exclude precisely the part that gives the government the ability to decide on limitations without prior activation decision, which removes the speed the plan demands. The plan's rights protection speaks for review afterward, but does not necessitate that the authority stays with the Riksdag.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver en särskild krislagstiftning som reglerar hur undantagsåtgärder snabbt ska kunna sättas in av det allmänna vid en kris. Motförslaget vill undanta just den del som ger regeringen möjlighet att besluta om begränsningar utan föregående aktiveringsbeslut, vilket tar bort den snabbhet planen efterfrågar. Planens rättighetsskydd talar för granskning i efterhand, men bär inte kravet på att befogenheten stannar hos församlingen.
- quick emergency measures in crisisdecisive»Särskild lagstiftning bör tas fram för hur en krisorganisation effektivt ska kunna samordna samhällets insatser vid en kris och hur undantagsåtgärder snabbt ska kunna sättas in av det allmänna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Special legislation should be drawn up for how a crisis organization can effectively coordinate society's efforts during a crisis and how emergency measures can quickly be implemented by the public sector.”
- special crisis legislation»Ta fram en särskild krislagstiftning« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Draw up special crisis legislation”
- strengthened central crisis management»Förbättra den centrala krisledningsförmågan« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Improve central crisis management capacity”
- stronger rights protection»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”
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2025/26:KU8)
- Committee report full text (HD01KU8)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2025/26:57 — med anledning av prop. 2024/25:155 Stärkt konstitutionell beredskap av Jessica Wetterling m.fl. (V)
- Motion 2025/26:78 — med anledning av prop. 2024/25:155 Stärkt konstitutionell beredskap av Jan Riise m.fl. (MP)
- Proposition 2024/25:155 — Stärkt konstitutionell beredskap
Source: The Swedish Parliament