Riksdag

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Riksdag

Swedish parliament

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July 13, 2026

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The Riksdag is the Swedish parliament, historically known as the "Day of the Realm" from 1435 to 1865. Uniquely, it included peasants as a fourth estate and held powers to elect kings, tax, and declare war, serving as a check on royal authority.1

In its modern form, established in 1865, the Riksdag is a unicameral parliament elected for four-year terms. It is the cornerstone of Sweden's representative democracy and parliamentarism. The prime minister is nominated by the speaker of the Riksdag and must be approved by a vote of the parliament. The Riksdag appoints its speaker and committees, where parties are represented proportionally to their strength. All proposed legislation is sent to committees for review before being presented to the full Riksdag.2

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Adolf Frederick
…king’s reign rested in the Riksdag (parliament). Twice he tried to free himself of its control. In his first attempt (1756)—aided by his influential wife, Queen Louisa Ulrika, who was sister to Frederick II of Prussia—he nearly lost his throne, but in his second (1768–69)—with the assistance of his son,…
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…king’s reign rested in the Riksdag (parliament). Twice he tried to free himself of its control. In his first attempt (1756)—aided by his influential wife, Queen Louisa Ulrika, who was sister to Frederick II of Prussia—he nearly lost his throne, but in his second (1768–69)—with the assistance of his son,…
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Charles XV
…during his reign as the Riksdag (parliament) and executive assumed increasing power. Among important new liberal measures that enjoyed his support was the introduction of a bicameral legislature. A champion of Pan-Scandinavianism and political solidarity among the three northern kingdoms, Charles unwisely gave a half promise of help—which his ministers…
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…during his reign as the Riksdag (parliament) and executive assumed increasing power. Among important new liberal measures that enjoyed his support was the introduction of a bicameral legislature. A champion of Pan-Scandinavianism and political solidarity among the three northern kingdoms, Charles unwisely gave a half promise of help—which his ministers…
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Gustav III
…the royal power over the Riksdag (parliament).
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…the royal power over the Riksdag (parliament).
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Gustav VI Adolf
In 1965 the Riksdag raised to 25 the age at which a king could begin his rule, and in 1971 it enacted legislation, effective at Gustav’s death in 1973, stripping the monarchy of its most important political functions.
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In 1965 the Riksdag raised to 25 the age at which a king could begin his rule, and in 1971 it enacted legislation, effective at Gustav’s death in 1973, stripping the monarchy of its most important political functions.
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Johan, Count Gyllenstierna
…of his career (at the Riksdag, or Parliament, of 1660), Gyllenstierna advocated a strong royal authority and opposition to the nobles of the Riksråd (Council of the Realm). During Charles XI’s minority, an opposition group in the regency and in the council had Gyllenstierna elected president of the Riksdag of…
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…of his career (at the Riksdag, or Parliament, of 1660), Gyllenstierna advocated a strong royal authority and opposition to the nobles of the Riksråd (Council of the Realm). During Charles XI’s minority, an opposition group in the regency and in the council had Gyllenstierna elected president of the Riksdag of…
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Sweden
New constitution
…its recommendations, the old two-chamber Riksdag was replaced in 1971 by a one-chamber Riksdag composed of 350 members elected by proportional representation. The new Instrument of Government, which entered into force on Jan. 1, 1975, reduced the membership of the Riksdag to 349 (to minimize the risk of evenly divided…
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…its recommendations, the old two-chamber Riksdag was replaced in 1971 by a one-chamber Riksdag composed of 350 members elected by proportional representation. The new Instrument of Government, which entered into force on Jan. 1, 1975, reduced the membership of the Riksdag to 349 (to minimize the risk of evenly divided…
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Riksdag
…however, was also called the Riksdag.
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…however, was also called the Riksdag.
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Oscar I
…1844) he worked with the Riksdag (parliament) to further various reforms. Among these were the institution of equal rights of inheritance for men and women (1845), the abolition of the guild system (1846), and the enactment of the right of unmarried women to come of age at age 25 (1858).
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…1844) he worked with the Riksdag (parliament) to further various reforms. Among these were the institution of equal rights of inheritance for men and women (1845), the abolition of the guild system (1846), and the enactment of the right of unmarried women to come of age at age 25 (1858).
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Sweden
Constitutional framework
The Riksdag, a unicameral parliament elected by the people for four-year terms, is the foundation for the democratic exercise of power through the cabinet. The Riksdag appoints its speaker, deputy speakers, and standing committees, in which parties are represented in proportion to their strength. All bills…
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The Riksdag, a unicameral parliament elected by the people for four-year terms, is the foundation for the democratic exercise of power through the cabinet. The Riksdag appoints its speaker, deputy speakers, and standing committees, in which parties are represented in proportion to their strength. All bills…
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