Författningsutvecklingén och parlamentarismen sedan 1970

Abstract

Constitutional development andparliamentarianism since 1970. The constitutional development and the parliamentarianism in Sweden since 1970 can schematically be divided into two periods. The first period was 1970-1990. The second was initiated in 1990. 1970-1990 stands out as a 'classical1 period to the new constitution with its unicameral system and exact proportional representation above a 4 per cent threshold. The formation of government was mainly based on blocs with sharp opposition, although in combination with negotiating parliamentarianism in the Riksdag. In their years of parliamentary majority, 1976-1982 and 1991-1994, the tight-wing parties introduced considerable constitutional changes which the social democrats in opposing position accepted. From 1990 and onwards, it is above all the disrupting EU dimension which generates new constitutional changes concerning the politico-economic institutions. The European influence in legal matters is regulated, as are the EU-processes between government and parliament. Moreover, the electoral period is extended by one year and an element of personalised voting is introduced. Both the vote of censure and the instrument of consultative referendum attain a partially new constitutional character through the development of praxis. One can also identify a series of minority governments (right-wing 1991-1994 and social democratic since 1994) with prolonged partial coalitions grounded on different issues, and with all the parties of the Parliament involved in different areas. The EU dimension is central in this respect too. The constitutional changes, the new form of parliamentarianism and the EU processes strengthen the government. In this period too, questions can be raised regarding the role of the opposition in Swedish parliamentarianism.