News

Photo: Stina Stjernkvist/TT

Thursday 5 May 2022 The Riksdag has voted in favour of a proposal from the Government to introduce the possibility of imposing banning orders at public swimming pools and libraries.

Photo: Melker Dahlstrand

Thursday 5 May 2022 Talmannen The Speaker Andreas Norlén received the President of the Chamber of Deputies of the Parliament of the Czech Republic Markéta Pekarová Adamová and her delegation on 3 May. The President of the Chamber of Deputies Pekarová Adamová with her delegation paid an official visit to Sweden on 2–3 May.

Wednesday 4 May 2022 The Riksdag called on the Government by way of an announcement to examine the legal, financial and practical conditions for drawing up a cohesive regulatory framework for identifying and repatriating Sami artifacts and remains.

Wednesday 27 April 2022 The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government's proposal for an additional amending budget for 2022. Energy tax on petrol and diesel will temporarily be lowered by SEK 1.05 from 1 May until 30 September 2022. The Government will furthermore be authorised to donate, to other countries, surplus doses of COVID-19 vaccine. At the same time, the Riksdag called on the Government by way of two announcements.

Wednesday 27 April 2022 The Riksdag is to give the Government extended rights to decide on certain exemptions from existing planning and building regulations. This is in order to be able to quickly provide temporary housing in the event of an especially large influx of people coming to Sweden, for example, from Ukraine. The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government's proposal.

Wednesday 20 April 2022 The Riksdag has voted in favour of the Government's proposal to tighten and improve current rules for labour immigration. The objective is to combat the exploitation of labour migrants, and to attract and maintain international competence.

Friday 8 April 2022 The Government has proposed measures to strengthen Sweden's military defence. The Government has also submitted a proposal on compensation to households for high electricity prices in March 2022. The proposals were submitted in an additional amending budget and are a consequence of the worsened security policy situation in Sweden's immediate neighbourhood and increasing energy prices, following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government's proposals.

Wednesday 6 April 2022 The Riksdag has adopted in abeyance the Government's proposal which will include criminalising foreign espionage as an offence against the freedom of the press and the freedom of expression. A final decision on the amendment to the Constitution can be taken at the earliest after the general elections this autumn. The objective is to strengthen Swedish legislation regarding the protection of sensitive and secret information in international peace support and security-building cooperation in which Sweden is participating.

Friday 1 April 2022 On 3 April, presidential and parliamentary elections are being held in Serbia. Six Swedish MPs will be included in an international delegation to observe the elections.

Friday 1 April 2022 On 3 April, parliamentary elections will be held in Hungary. Seven Swedish MPs will be included in an international delegation to observe the elections.

Wednesday 30 March 2022 In a statement, the Riksdag has examined applications for EU membership that Ukraine, Georgia and Moldava have submitted to the Council of Ministers. The Riksdag takes a positive view of the applications. In the opinion of the Riksdag, the EU should give the three countries a clear membership perspective and give them as potential candidate countries access to all possible support for reforms that the EU has to offer future member states.

Photo: Melker Dahlstrand

Thursday 24 March 2022 On Thursday 24 March, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held an address to the members of the Riksdag by video link. The address can be watched on demand via the Riksdag webcast service with interpretation into English. The President's speech starts a few minutes into the broadcast that can be viewed via the link.

Thursday 24 March 2022 The Riksdag has decided to authorise a government decision to give military equipment to Ukraine up to a maximum value of SEK 205 million. The equipment that will be given includes field equipment for mine clearance and up to 5,000 anti-tank weapons.

Thursday 24 March 2022 The Riksdag has voted in favour of the Government's proposal that companies that have found themselves in financial difficulties during the period 1 March 2020 – 31 December 2021 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic should be able to receive state support in the form of reduced energy tax. 

Wednesday 23 March 2022 The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government's proposal to repeal the COVID-19 Act and Act on temporary communicable disease control measures at venues serving food and drink on 31 March 2022.

Wednesday 23 March 2022 The Riksdag votes in favour of the Government's proposal for amendments to adapt Swedish legislation to the EU's new system for entering and exiting the EU.

Thursday 17 March 2022 The Government has presented a proposal for increased economic support to Ukraine. This means that Sweden is issuing a guarantee for a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) to Ukraine of just under EUR 45 million plus interest. With interest, the sum being guaranteed by Sweden is approx. EUR 56 million or approx. SEK 600 million. The Riksdag voted in favour of the Government's proposal.

Wednesday 16 March 2022 The Riksdag has called on the Government by way of five announcements to take action. Among other things, the Riksdag urges the Government to express a clear NATO option, which means that Sweden retains the option to seek membership of NATO. The Government should also draw up a new approach towards Russia in view of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and its violations of the European security order.

Photo: Melker Dahlstrand

Wednesday 16 March 2022 The Speaker Andreas Norlén received the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Matti Vanhanen at the Riksdag on 15 March.

Photo: Melker Dahlstrand

Friday 11 March 2022 The Riksdag wishes to show its support for Ukraine. The facade of the East Wing of the Riksdag will therefore be illuminated in yellow and blue from 7 p.m. on Wednesday 9 March and every evening for a week.