Referendums in Sweden
Encyclopedia
Since the introduction of parliamentarism in Sweden
, six referendum
s have been held. The constitution of 1974
provides for binding referendums. However, none of the referendums held have been binding but rather have been of an advisory and consultative nature and not formally binding on the Riksdag
. The latest referendum on Adopting the euro was held on 14 September 2003. The referendum on joining the European Union was held on 13 November 1994.
¹ The outcome of the 1980 referendum has been highly debated, as none of the alternatives gained a majority. Alt 1 was a phase-out according to practical considerations, forbidding extension. Alt 2 was the same plus the principle of state-owned power plants and some other issues. Alt 3 was a phase-out within ten years. The Riksdag ultimately interpreted the result in favour of a phase-out to be completed in 2010 (a date never mentioned in the actual alternatives), although the programs for this have not since been followed.
² In spite of this, in 1963, the Riksdag passed a government bill ordering a change to right-hand traffic. The changeover
took place on September 3, 1967.
about a local political issue. Such referendums are common, and often held in connection with a general election, but also at other times. The municipalities in Sweden have comparatively little power, and can't change laws. Local referendums requesting a law change are sometimes held anyway, and can be seen as political statements towards the government.
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
, six referendum
Referendum
A referendum is a direct vote in which an entire electorate is asked to either accept or reject a particular proposal. This may result in the adoption of a new constitution, a constitutional amendment, a law, the recall of an elected official or simply a specific government policy. It is a form of...
s have been held. The constitution of 1974
Constitution of Sweden
The Swedish Constitution consists of four fundamental laws :* The 1810 Act of Succession * The 1949 Freedom of the Press Act * The 1974 Instrument of Government * The 1991 Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression...
provides for binding referendums. However, none of the referendums held have been binding but rather have been of an advisory and consultative nature and not formally binding on the Riksdag
Parliament of Sweden
The Riksdag is the national legislative assembly of Sweden. The riksdag is a unicameral assembly with 349 members , who are elected on a proportional basis to serve fixed terms of four years...
. The latest referendum on Adopting the euro was held on 14 September 2003. The referendum on joining the European Union was held on 13 November 1994.
| Year | Referendum | Participation | Yes | No | Blank | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 Swedish euro referendum, 2003 A referendum on introduction of the euro was held in Sweden on 14 September 2003.The voter turnout was 82.6%, and the suggestion failed by 55.9% against 42.0%. Sweden in Europe was the main umbrella group campigning for a Yes vote.-Result:... |
Joining the Economic and Monetary Union Economic and Monetary Union of the European Union The Economic and Monetary Union is an umbrella term for the group of policies aimed at converging the economies of members of the European Union in three stages so as to allow them to adopt a single currency, the euro. As such, it is largely synonymous with the eurozone.All member states of the... of the European Union |
82.6% | 42.0% | 55.9% | 2.1% | Reject | |
| 1994 Swedish European Union membership referendum, 1994 A referendum on membership for the European Union was held in Sweden on 13 November 1994.The voter turnout was 83.3%, and the result was 52.3% for and 46.8% against.-Result:Source: NationalencyklopedinSee also: Swedish Election Authority-References:... |
Joining the European Union European Union The European Union is an economic and political union of 27 independent member states which are located primarily in Europe. The EU traces its origins from the European Coal and Steel Community and the European Economic Community , formed by six countries in 1958... |
83.3% | 52.3% | 46.8% | 0.9% | Approve | |
| Year | Referendum | Participation | Alt. 1 | Alt. 2 | Alt. 3 | Blank | Outcome |
| 1980 Swedish nuclear power referendum, 1980 A referendum on the nuclear power was held in Sweden on 23 March 1980.The voter turnout was 75.6%, and the result was 18.9% for Line 1 , 39.1% for Line 2 and 38.7% for Line 3 .-Result:Source: NationalencyklopedinSee also: Swedish Election Authority-References:... |
Reliance on nuclear power Nuclear power in Sweden Sweden has an energy policy focused on hydroelectricity, which has been supplemented by nuclear power starting in 1965.The country began research into nuclear energy in 1947 with the establishment of the Atomic Energy Research Organization. In 1964, the country built its first small heavy water... |
75.7% | 18.9% | 39.1% | 38.7% | 3.3% | Alternative 2¹ |
| 1957 Swedish pensions system referendum, 1957 A referendum on the pensions system was held in Sweden on 13 October 1957.The voter turnout was 72.4%, and the result was 45.8% for Line 1 , 15.0% for Line 2 and 35.3% for Line 3 .-Result:Source: NationalencyklopedinSee also: Swedish Election Authority-References:... |
Tax Tax To tax is to impose a financial charge or other levy upon a taxpayer by a state or the functional equivalent of a state such that failure to pay is punishable by law. Taxes are also imposed by many subnational entities... funded pension Pension In general, a pension is an arrangement to provide people with an income when they are no longer earning a regular income from employment. Pensions should not be confused with severance pay; the former is paid in regular installments, while the latter is paid in one lump sum.The terms retirement... system |
72.4% | 45.8% | 15.0% | 35.3% | 3.9% | Alternative 1 |
| Year | Referendum | Participation | Yes | No | Blank | Result | |
| 1955 Swedish driving side referendum, 1955 A referendum on introduction of right hand traffic was held in Sweden on 16 October 1955.The voter turnout was 53.2%, and the suggestion failed by 15.5% against 82.9%... |
Changing from left- to right-hand traffic | 53.0% | 15.5% | 82.9% | 1.6% | Reject² | |
| 1922 | Prohibition of alcohol Alcohol In chemistry, an alcohol is an organic compound in which the hydroxy functional group is bound to a carbon atom. In particular, this carbon center should be saturated, having single bonds to three other atoms.... |
55.1% | 49.1% | 50.9% | - | Reject |
¹ The outcome of the 1980 referendum has been highly debated, as none of the alternatives gained a majority. Alt 1 was a phase-out according to practical considerations, forbidding extension. Alt 2 was the same plus the principle of state-owned power plants and some other issues. Alt 3 was a phase-out within ten years. The Riksdag ultimately interpreted the result in favour of a phase-out to be completed in 2010 (a date never mentioned in the actual alternatives), although the programs for this have not since been followed.
² In spite of this, in 1963, the Riksdag passed a government bill ordering a change to right-hand traffic. The changeover
Dagen H
Dagen H , today mostly called "Högertrafikomläggningen" , was the day, 3 September 1967, on which traffic in Sweden switched from driving on the left-hand side of the road to the right...
took place on September 3, 1967.
Local referendums
Referendums can be held in a municipalityMunicipality
A municipality is essentially an urban administrative division having corporate status and usually powers of self-government. It can also be used to mean the governing body of a municipality. A municipality is a general-purpose administrative subdivision, as opposed to a special-purpose district...
about a local political issue. Such referendums are common, and often held in connection with a general election, but also at other times. The municipalities in Sweden have comparatively little power, and can't change laws. Local referendums requesting a law change are sometimes held anyway, and can be seen as political statements towards the government.
External links
- Swedish Election Authority - Official site