1. The 5 GOLDEN RULES... Do not interfere during the report. Refrain from talking with your seatmates. Sharpen your ear. Observe silence. Strictly.. No questions will be entertained during the reportand even AFTERthe report.

2. During the seventh and eighth centuries, the Swedeswere merchant seamen well known for their far-reaching trade. In the ninth century, Nordic Vikings raided andravaged the European continent as far as the Black andCaspian Seas. During the 11th and 12th centuries, Sweden graduallybecame a unified Christian kingdom that laterincluded Finland. 3. The unions final disintegration in the early 16thcentury brought on a long-lived rivalry betweenNorway and Denmark on one side and Sweden andFinland on the other. In the 16th century, Gustav Vasa fought for anindependent Sweden, crushing an attempt to restorethe Kalmar Union and laying the foundation formodern Sweden and he broke with the CatholicChurch and established the Reformation. 4. During the 17th century, after winning wars againstDenmark, Russia, and Poland, Sweden-Finland (withscarcely more than 1 million inhabitants) emerged as agreat power Sweden suffered further territorial losses during theNapoleonic wars and was forced to cede Finland toRussia in 1809. 5. Sweden was a largely impoverished agrarian societyuntil it was transformed into a center of heavyindustry in the 19th and 20th centuries. Swedens transformation has been helped by severalfactors, including avoiding involvement in the 20thcenturys many wars and the countrys long history ofentrepreneurialism. Economists and politicians have long pointed toSweden as a role model because of its successfulcombination of generous welfare benefits and high-tech capitalism. 6. Sweden is very much oriented towards overseas trade. The Swedish economy is built on rich reserves of ironore and timber, and plentiful hydroelectric power. The main industrial sectors are forestry, telecoms, andthe automotive and pharmaceutical industries. The private sector is strong and growing, supported bya highly educated and productive workforce. 7. Swedens economy grew 1.2 percent in the fourthquarter of 2010 compared to the previous three-monthperiod and jumped 7.3 percent year-on-year, beatinganalyst expectations. The 7.3-percent year-on-year quarterly jump is thehighest on record since the statistics agency startedrecording quarterly data in 1970. Sweden, which emerged from recession in the secondquarter of 2009 and saw growth quickly pick up in thefirst quarter of 2010 8. Today the country is among the worlds 15 richest interms of GDP per capita, a status helped by high levelsof education and a skilled workforce, excellent internaland external communications, and one of the highestlevels of internet access. Sweden is part of the European Union but maintainsits own currency, the krona (crown) 9. Type: Constitutional monarchy. Constitution: The Swedish Constitution Based on the following: the Instrument of Government (originally dating from June 6, 1809), the Act of Succession (1810) the Freedom of the Press Act (1949) Riksdag Act. 10. Monarch head of state Prime Minister head of government Cabinet responsible to Parliament. 11. 84 district courts 10 appeal courts two superior courtsSubdivisions: 21 counties, 18 county councils, 290municipalities, and two regions. 12. Riksdag -unicameral Parliament -349 members -the supreme decision-making assembly in our country -passes laws in Sweden -appoints a prime minister 13. 1435 representatives of different social groups were called to ameeting in the town of Arboga to discuss and determineaffairs affecting the country as a whole. It is referred as Swedens first parliament. 1527 and later 1544 King Gustav Vasas two assemblies inVsters that representatives of all four estates - theNobility, the Clergy, the Burghers and the Peasantry -were called on to participate. The term "Riksdag" wasfirst used in the 1540s. 14. 17th century the establishment of clearer parliamentary procedures. The committee organization began to emerge and written regulations on the work of the Riksdag were drawn up. In the late 17th century King Karl XI gained increasing power which meant that the Riksdags position was weakened. 15. 1809 a new Instrument of Government was adopted in Sweden. It set out how the power was to be divided between the Riksdag and the King. The new Instrument of Government remained in force until 1974. The first Riksdag Act - which is a law setting out the procedures for the work of the Riksdag - was introduced in 1810. 16. The bicameral Riksdag In 1865 the parliament of the four estates wasabolished and replaced by a bicameral (two-chamber)system. Elections to the Second Chamber were only open tomen, and in order to vote it was necessary to meetcertain economic criteria such as ownership of realestate or payment of tax on an annual taxable income. 17. In 1909 a reform was passed in the Riksdag givingSwedish men the right to vote in elections to theSecond Chamber In 1921 a universal and equal franchise was introducedfor men and women alike, and the Riksdag finallyachieved a system of democratic representation for allcitizens. This means that the government requires the Riksdagsconfidence and support for all major decisions. 18. The unicameral Riksdag 1971 the bicameral system was abolished and a singlechamber with 350 members was introduced. The system of different committees for legislative andbudgetary matters was abandoned and 16 committeesfor different specialised areas were established instead. 19. 1974, Sweden adopted a new Instrument ofGovernment and a new Riksdag Act. The principles of parliamentarianism wereincorporated into the constitution and the Speakeracquired a central role in the formation of a newgovernment after an election. 20. Four-year electoral periodTwo important decisions were taken in 1994 extend the electoral period from three to fouryears and the second to make the budgetprocedure more efficient. the budget year now coincides with the calendaryear and that the Budget Bill is presented anddealt with during the autumn. 21. FUNCTIONS OF RIKSDAG Adopts laws Determines the central governmentbudget Examines the work of the Government Works with EU-related matters Foreign policy 22. Proposals for new laws, or amendments to lawsthat are already in force, normally come from theGovernment in the form of a Government bill. All legislative proposals are first considered by acommittee before the Riksdag takes a decision. For the proposal to be adopted, a majority of members of the Riksdag must vote in favour of it. The Riksdag communicates its decision to the Government, which issues the new law and ensures that it is implemented in the way intended by the Riksdag. 23. The Riksdag is responsible for determining centralgovernment expenditure and revenue. It does this after the Government has submittedproposals in the Budget Bill as to how the money at thedisposal of the central government sector should beused. Once the Riksdag has taken a decision on the centralgovernment budget, the Government is responsible forthe budget and for implementing the Riksdagsdecision. 24. The members of the Riksdag have the opportunity toaddress questions to Government ministers. The Committee on the Constitution checks that theGovernment acts in compliance with existingregulations. If the Riksdag no longer has confidence in a ministeror in the prime minister it can decide to make adeclaration of no confidence. Members of the public who are dissatisfied with apublic agencys handling of a matter can lodge acomplaint with the Parliamentary Ombudsmen. 25. The Government represents Sweden in the EU. The Government cannot promote any EU policieswithout the support of the Riksdag. The Riksdags and Governments work with EUissues is carried out in various forums includingthe Chamber of the Riksdag, the parliamentarycommittees and the Committee on EU Affairs. 26. The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs is a bodyfor consultation on foreign affairs between theGovernment and the Riksdag. Areas of foreign policy that are determined by the Riksdag include what countries Sweden is to deploy peacekeeping forces to and what proportion of our gross national income is to be spent on development assistance. 27. Swedish Parliament are held every fourth year onthe third Sunday in September. A party must receive at least 4% of the votes in theentire country or 12% in a single electoral districtto qualify for any seats in Parliament. 28. Democratic Party (SDP) It derives much of its power from strong links withthe National Swedish Confederation of TradeUnions (LO), which represents blue-collarworkers. The party program combines a commitment tosocial welfare programs and government directionof the economy. 29. Moderate Party emphasizes personal freedom, free enterprise, andreduction of the public-sector growth rate, while stillsupporting most of the social benefits introducedsince the 1930s. supports a strong military and Swedens membershipin the EU Its voter base is urban business people andprofessionals, but the party also attracts young voters,main-street shop owners, and, some blue-collarworkers 30. The Green Party left-leaning, environmentalist party that attractsyoung people strongly support greater public transportation andenvironmental taxation, and replacing nuclear energyin Sweden with alternative, environmentally friendlyenergy sources. 31. The Liberal Party Partys platform is "social responsibility withoutsocialism," which includes a commitment to a free-market economy combined with comprehensiveSwedish social welfare programs centered in educated, middle-class voters, and is pro-EU. 32. The Center Party maintains close ties to rural Sweden The main priorities of the party include providinga sound economic climate for business and jobcreation, rural development, climate change andenvironmental concerns, and health and welfareissues. 33. The Sweden Democrats It is a nationalist, right-wing party Its main priority is to protect Swedish culture and values, mostly by reducing immigration to Sweden 34. The Left Party formerly the Communist Party, focuses on feministissues, employment in the public sector, and theenvironment. It opposes privatization, cuts in public expenditure,Swedish participation in NATO activities, and EUmembership Its voter base consists mainly of young people, publicsector employees, feminists, journalists, and formersocial democrats. 35. The Christian Democrat Party is conservative and value-oriented Its voter base is primarily among members of conservative churches and rural populations. Christian Democrats seek government support for families and better ethical practices to improve care for the elderly. 36. Carl XVIGustaf 37. FredrikReinfeldt 38. CabinetMinisters 39. TACK SAMYCKET!!!