Riksdag facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Riksdag of Sweden Sveriges riksdag
2022–2026 term
Type
Type	Unicameral
Leadership
Speaker	Andreas Norlén, M Since 24 September 2018
First Deputy Speaker	Kenneth G. Forslund, S Since 26 September 2022
Second Deputy Speaker	Julia Kronlid, SD Since 26 September 2022
Third Deputy Speaker	Kerstin Lundgren, C Since 24 September 2018
President by age	Anders Ygeman, S Since 14 April 2025
Structure
Seats	349
Political groups	Government (103)      Moderate Party (68)      Christian Democrats (19)      Liberals (16) Confidence and supply (73)      Sweden Democrats (72)      Independent (1) Opposition (173)      Social Democrats (106)      Centre Party (24)      Left Party (22)      Green Party (18)      Independent (3)
Elections
Voting system	Open list proportional representation (modified Sainte-Laguë method) with a 4% election threshold in constituencies based upon the counties of Sweden
Last election	11 September 2022
Next election	On or before 13 September 2026
Meeting place
Parliament House Helgeandsholmen Stockholm, 100 12 Sweden

The Parliament House, where the Riksdag meets since 1905.

The Riksdag (Swedish: Sveriges riksdag) is the main decision-making body for the country of Sweden. It is like Sweden's parliament. Since 1971, the Riksdag has had 349 members. These members are chosen through elections where everyone's vote counts fairly. They serve for four years. The most recent election was in September 2022.

The rules for the Riksdag are written in Sweden's main laws, called the Instrument of Government. More details about how it works are in the Riksdag Act. The Riksdag meets in the Parliament House. This building is on an island called Helgeandsholmen in central Stockholm. The Riksdag has a long history, starting way back in 1435.

What is the Riksdag's Name?

The Old Parliament House on Riddarholmen was where the Riksdag met from 1833 to 1905.

Kulturhuset in Stockholm was a temporary home for the Riksdag from 1971 to 1983. This was while the main Parliament House was being fixed up.

The Swedish word riksdag means "parliament" or "assembly." It is mostly used for Sweden's own parliament. You might also hear it for the Parliament of Finland or the Estonian Riigikogu. The word comes from old Swedish words meaning "realm" (like a kingdom) and "meeting." So, it means a meeting for the kingdom.

A Brief History of the Riksdag

The Riksdag started a very long time ago, in 1435, with a meeting in a city called Arboga. Back then, only certain groups of people, like nobles and priests, could attend. In 1527, the first modern Swedish king, Gustav I Vasa, made it more organized. He included representatives from four main groups: nobles, clergy, townspeople, and farmers.

This system changed in 1866. Instead of different groups, Sweden created a parliament with two parts, or "chambers." One chamber had 155 members, and the other had 233 members. This change happened because many people felt the old system was unfair. It did not represent everyone, especially as Sweden changed with new industries.

In 1970, the Riksdag changed again to have only one chamber. This made it a unicameral parliament. It started with 350 seats. After the 1973 election, there was a tie in votes, which made it hard to make decisions. To avoid this, the number of seats was changed to 349 from 1976 onwards.

How the Riksdag Works

The Riksdag has important jobs in Sweden's parliamentary democracy. Its main tasks are:

• Making new laws.
• Changing the country's constitution.
• Choosing the government that runs the country.

In many countries, the head of state (like a king or queen) chooses who forms the government. But in Sweden, the Speaker of the Riksdag does this job. To change the constitution, the Riksdag must approve the changes twice. These approvals must happen in two different periods, with a general election in between.

The Riksdag has 15 special groups called parliamentary committees. These groups study different topics, like education or health, to help make good laws.

Who Are the Members of the Riksdag?

The Riksdag has 349 members. They are called riksdagsledamöter in Swedish. As of September 2022, 163 members are women. This means about 46.7% of the members are women. Some parties have more women than men. For example, the Left Party has many more women members.

Members of the Riksdag work full-time. They earn a salary for their important work.

The Presidium

The Presidium is a group that leads the Riksdag's meetings. It includes a Speaker and three deputy (assistant) speakers. They are chosen for a four-year term. The Speaker does not vote on laws, but the three deputy speakers can vote.

How the Government is Formed

The speaker of the Riksdag suggests who should be the Prime Minister. The Speaker talks with leaders from all the political parties first. Then, the Riksdag votes on the suggestion. The person becomes Prime Minister unless most members (175 members) vote "no." This means the Prime Minister can be chosen even if not everyone votes "yes," as long as not too many vote "no."

After being chosen, the Prime Minister picks other ministers to form the government. These ministers are announced to the Riksdag. The new government officially starts at a special meeting with the King or Queen at the Royal Palace.

The Riksdag can also vote to remove a minister or even the Prime Minister. This is called a vote of no confidence. If a majority (175 members) votes "no confidence" against a minister, that minister must leave their job. If the vote is against the Prime Minister, the whole government might have to resign. If the government loses such a vote, they have one week to call for a new election. If they don't, a new Prime Minister must be chosen.

Political Parties in Sweden

No single party has won a majority of seats in the Riksdag since 1968. Because of this, different political parties often work together. They form groups or alliances to make decisions.

Until 2019, there were two main groups: the Red-Greens (socialist/green parties) and the Alliance (conservative/liberal parties). The Alliance governed Sweden from 2006 to 2014. After the 2014 election, the Social Democrats and Green Party formed a government with support from the Left Party.

In 2019, after the 2018 election, no group won a clear majority. The Social Democrats and Green Party formed a government with support from the Liberals and Centre Party. This changed the old alliances.

How Elections Work

Some of the Riksdag's offices are in other buildings, like this one at Mynttorget Square.

All 349 members of the Riksdag are chosen in general elections. These elections happen every four years. To vote, you must be a Swedish citizen and at least 18 years old by election day. To run for election, you also need to be able to vote and be nominated by a political party.

A party needs to get at least 4% of all votes in the country to get seats in the Riksdag. If a party gets at least 12% of votes in a specific area, they can also get seats there. Sweden uses a system called proportional representation. This means that the number of seats a party gets is similar to the percentage of votes they receive. This helps make sure smaller parties are also represented.

The 2022 general election took place on September 11, 2022. The results led to a new government being formed.

Images for kids

• 

  The former second chamber, now used for meetings

• 

  The Riksdag building from the west at night

• 

  Inside the Riksdag building

• 

  Another view of the second chamber

• 

  How seats were divided in the 2022 Swedish general election

See also

In Spanish: Riksdag para niños

• Parliament House, Stockholm
• Referendums in Sweden