The government proposes in a proposition changes to the constitution in the instrument of government. The purpose is to be able to act faster in the event of war or crises in peacetime.
The proposition implies, among other things, that the Riksdag can grant the government special powers to issue regulations in crises.
The regulations can be in force for a maximum of three months and the government cannot change or repeal the constitution.
In certain exceptional cases, the government itself should be able to take a decision on a kind of state of emergency, an activation decision, in order to then be able to take temporary measures without first having received a green light from the Riksdag.
In the event of cyberattacks
It could be relevant in the event of severe acute crises such as a nuclear power plant accident, natural disaster, widespread spread of a severe disease, terrorist attack, a major financial crisis, extensive IT disruptions or cyberattacks. The government also mentions that in connection with other severe events, regulations may be required within a day or two to avert a serious threat to our democratic system of government.
LO, Journalistförbundet and Stockholm District Court have expressed concern about giving the government such a possibility. Journalistförbundet warns that an authoritarian government could implement changes that do not have support in the Riksdag.
I think that these questions are very important to take seriously. I also think that there are very good answers, says Justice Minister Gunnar Strömmer (M) at a press conference.
According to the proposition, the government can only activate the special powers on its own if it is obvious that the Riksdag's decision cannot be waited for.
Such a decision should also be approved by a three-quarters majority in the Riksdag as soon as possible after the fact.
Approved later
Regulations issued by the government with the support of the activation decision should immediately cease to apply if they are not submitted for consideration in the Riksdag within a week or if the Riksdag does not make a decision on them within a month.
This ensures the division of power, and reduces rather than increases the scope for a government with more despotic ambitions to take itself liberties, says Strömmer.
In practice, the Riksdag always has the final word.
The proposition also proposes that the Riksdag should be able to convene on a different location than Stockholm in more cases than is possible today and that it should be opened up for digital meetings in certain severe situations.
The proposed changes to the law are expected to come into force on January 1, 2027.
The proposition is based on a proposal from an inquiry that seven out of eight Riksdag parties stood behind.
