How Sweden is governed

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Sweden has been a member of the EU since 1995. At national level, Sweden is governed by the Government and the Riksdag (the Swedish Parliament). The Government is supported by ministries and authorities.

Parliamentary elections are held every four years in Sweden. Parliament elects a Prime Minister who in turn elects a government.

At regional level, Sweden is divided into 21 counties. Political tasks at this level are carried out by the county council, which is directly elected by the county's population, and by the county administrative boards, which are the government bodies in the county. As an EU citizen, you are entitled to vote in the county council elections.

At local level, Sweden is divided into 290 municipalities. Each municipality has an assembly, the municipal council, which is elected by the municipality's inhabitants, that makes decisions on municipality matters. The municipal council elects a municipal board, which in turn manages the municipality's business. As an EU citizen, you are entitled to vote in the municipal council elections.

Entrepreneurs should be aware that licensing and supervisory authorities may be local, regional or national. Local and regional authorities include municipalities, county administrative boards and police authorities. The Swedish Authority for Privacy Protection and the National Food Administration are examples of national authorities.

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Responsible: Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth

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