Sample questions: How Sweden is governed
State, regions and municipalities, the Riksdag, the Government, public agencies and the form of government.
Political responsibility is shared between the state, 21 regions and 290 municipalities, and Sweden is also affected by decisions in the EU. Sweden is a parliamentary representative democracy. The Riksdag has 349 members elected every four years and decides on laws and the state budget. The Riksdag elects the prime minister, who then appoints the ministers of the government. Every autumn the government submits a budget bill. Parties that do not support the government are called the opposition. The government governs with the help of state agencies such as Försäkringskassan, Migrationsverket and Skatteverket; the JO and JK check that agencies act correctly. The regions are mainly responsible for health care and public transport, the municipalities for schools, elderly care, water and sewage and more. Sweden is a constitutional monarchy: the head of state has no political power.
The questions below are written by Medborgarklar for practice. They are not taken from a real test, they are not published by UHR, and we do not claim they have appeared in a sitting.
8 questions with answers and explanations
What do Sweden's public agencies do?
- AThey elect the prime minister
- BThey make the laws
- CThey set the municipalities' tax rates
- DThey carry out decisions in practice and must follow the law and the government's instructions
Correct answer: D. They carry out decisions in practice and must follow the law and the government's instructions
Why: The government runs the country with the help of public agencies. The agencies carry out decisions in practice and must follow the law and the instructions given by the government. The JO and JK check that agencies act correctly.
Which level affects Sweden in addition to the state, regions and municipalities?
- ADecisions in the European Union (EU)
- BDecisions in the European Court of Human Rights
- CDecisions in the Nordic Council
- DDecisions in the UN Security Council
Correct answer: A. Decisions in the European Union (EU)
Why: Political responsibility in Sweden is shared between the national level (the state), the regional level (regions) and the municipal level (municipalities). In addition, Sweden is affected by decisions in the European Union (EU).
How many members does the Swedish Riksdag have?
- A21
- B290
- C349
- D100
Correct answer: C. 349
Why: The Riksdag has 349 members elected every four years. They decide on laws and on the state budget.
Who appoints the prime minister in Sweden?
- AThe Riksdag
- BThe Government
- CThe people directly in an election
- DThe King
Correct answer: A. The Riksdag
Why: The Riksdag elects the prime minister, who is then tasked with forming a government and appoints the ministers.
Who appoints the ministers in the government?
- AThe Speaker of the Riksdag
- BThe public authorities
- CThe prime minister
- DThe King
Correct answer: C. The prime minister
Why: The Riksdag elects the prime minister, and the prime minister then chooses the ministers of the government.
What is the regions' main responsibility?
- ADefence
- BCompulsory school
- CThe police
- DHealth care
Correct answer: D. Health care
Why: The regions' main task is responsibility for health care. They are also responsible for public transport and county museums.
What does the municipal council decide on?
- ASweden's laws
- BSweden's defence policy
- CMatters in its own municipality, such as schools and elderly care
- DThe state budget
Correct answer: C. Matters in its own municipality, such as schools and elderly care
Why: Municipalities are governed by politicians elected by residents in the municipal election, who take decisions in the municipal council, on matters such as schools, elderly care, water and sewage.
Which authority decides on parental benefit?
- AMigrationsverket (Migration Agency)
- BArbetsförmedlingen (Employment Service)
- CSkatteverket (Tax Agency)
- DFörsäkringskassan (Social Insurance Agency)
Correct answer: D. Försäkringskassan (Social Insurance Agency)
Why: If a person applies for parental benefit, it is Försäkringskassan that takes the decision.