Committee on the Constitution (Parliament of Sweden)
Encyclopedia
The Committee on the Constitution is a committee
in the Parliament of Sweden
. The committee prepares matters concerning the constitution
and the Parliament Act and other matters concerning legislation of a constitutional and general administrative nature, as well as matters relating to radio
and television
. Other matters concern freedom of expression
, formation of public opinion, freedom of worship
and financial support for the press and the political parties.
The Committee on the Constitution also prepares matters concerning the parliament itself and certain authorities under it, the county administration and Sweden's administrative organisation and local self-government etc.
Matters concerning appropriations falling within expenditure area 1 - The government of the Realm - are prepared by the Committee on the Constitution.
The Committee on the Constitution also has the task of scrutinising the work of the government
and its ministers and informing the parliament of the result of its scrutiny. The Committee on the Constitution can also decide whether or not a member of parliament or a government minister is to be prosecuted.
The first Committee on the Constitution was established in the Swedish Estates Assembly
in May 1809. Its first secretary was Hans Järta
. The committee played a decisive role in bringing about a new constitution, which was adopted on 6 June 1809 (see Instrument of Government (1809)
). The existence of a Committee on the Constitution and other parliamentary committees was further regulated in the new constitution.
As with the other committess, the Committee on the Constitution consists of seventeen elected MPs (at least one from each party). Traditionally, the chairman of the committee is chosen from the largest opposition party. The current chairman is Peter Eriksson
of the Swedish Green Party.
Committee
A committee is a type of small deliberative assembly that is usually intended to remain subordinate to another, larger deliberative assembly—which when organized so that action on committee requires a vote by all its entitled members, is called the "Committee of the Whole"...
in the Parliament of Sweden
Parliament of Sweden
The Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
. The committee prepares matters concerning the constitution
Constitution of Sweden
The Swedish Constitution consists of four fundamental laws :* The 1810 Act of Succession * The 1949 Freedom of the Press Act * The 1974 Instrument of Government * The 1991 Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression...
and the Parliament Act and other matters concerning legislation of a constitutional and general administrative nature, as well as matters relating to radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
. Other matters concern freedom of expression
Freedom of speech
Freedom of speech is the freedom to speak freely without censorship. The term freedom of expression is sometimes used synonymously, but includes any act of seeking, receiving and imparting information or ideas, regardless of the medium used...
, formation of public opinion, freedom of worship
Freedom of religion
Freedom of religion is a principle that supports the freedom of an individual or community, in public or private, to manifest religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship, and observance; the concept is generally recognized also to include the freedom to change religion or not to follow any...
and financial support for the press and the political parties.
The Committee on the Constitution also prepares matters concerning the parliament itself and certain authorities under it, the county administration and Sweden's administrative organisation and local self-government etc.
Matters concerning appropriations falling within expenditure area 1 - The government of the Realm - are prepared by the Committee on the Constitution.
The Committee on the Constitution also has the task of scrutinising the work of the government
Government of Sweden
The Government of the Kingdom of Sweden is the supreme executive authority of Sweden. It consists of the Prime Minister and cabinet ministers appointed by the Prime Minister. The Government is responsible for their actions to the Riksdag, which is the legislative assembly...
and its ministers and informing the parliament of the result of its scrutiny. The Committee on the Constitution can also decide whether or not a member of parliament or a government minister is to be prosecuted.
The first Committee on the Constitution was established in the Swedish Estates Assembly
Riksdag of the Estates
The Riksdag of the Estates , was the name used for the Estates of the Swedish realm when they were assembled. Until its dissolution in 1866, the institution was the highest authority in Sweden next to the King...
in May 1809. Its first secretary was Hans Järta
Hans Järta
Hans Järta was a Swedish administrator and revolutionary. He helped overthrow Gustavus IV Adolphus in 1809 and was one of the main drafters of the constitution of Sweden in 1809....
. The committee played a decisive role in bringing about a new constitution, which was adopted on 6 June 1809 (see Instrument of Government (1809)
Instrument of Government (1809)
The Instrument of Government adopted on 6 June 1809 by the Riksdag of the Estates was one of the fundamental laws that made up the constitution of Sweden from 1809 to 1974...
). The existence of a Committee on the Constitution and other parliamentary committees was further regulated in the new constitution.
As with the other committess, the Committee on the Constitution consists of seventeen elected MPs (at least one from each party). Traditionally, the chairman of the committee is chosen from the largest opposition party. The current chairman is Peter Eriksson
Peter Eriksson
For other people named Peter Eriksson, see Peter Eriksson.Lars-Johan Peter Eriksson is Swedish politician who was one of the two spokespersons of the Green Party in Sweden between 2002 and 2011, working alongside Maria Wetterstrand. He lives in Kalix, Norrbotten, where he was Municipal...
of the Swedish Green Party.
External links
- Konstitutionsutskottet, official website