Instrument of Government

The Instrument of Government is a fundamental law of Sweden's constitution, revised in 1975. This constitutional framework establishes Sweden as a constitutional monarchy based on popular sovereignty, representative democracy, and parliamentarism. The reigning monarch serves as head of state with only ceremonial duties. The prime minister, nominated by the speaker of the Riksdag and approved by a vote, appoints the cabinet, which holds all governmental decision-making power. The Riksdag, a unicameral parliament, is elected by the people for four-year terms and forms the basis of democratic power. The new Instrument of Government, effective January 1, 1975, also reduced the Riksdag's membership and lowered the voting age to 18.123