On account of the coronavirus pandemic, the opening of the Riksdag session this year was different from previous opening ceremonies. The ceremony took place in the Chamber as in previous years, but not in full scale. An important difference was that fewer members of the Riksdag and a very small number of invited guests attended the ceremony.
The Life Guards at Riksplan at the opening of the 2020 Riksdag session.
Photo: Melker Dahlstrand
This year, the theme of the opening of the Riksdag session was inspired by the Democracy Centenary which is being celebrated between 2018 and 2022. In connection with the opening, the fact that it is 100 years since the advent of democracy in Sweden was highlighted.
Programme for the opening of the 2020 Riksdag session
On account of the coronavirus pandemic, the number of participants in the opening of the Riksdag session was limited. 190 of 348 members of the Riksdag participated – the number (175 with a safety margin of 15) that needed to be present to take two decisions requiring qualified majority, later during the day. In addition, the King and Queen, half of the government ministers and a handful of other invited guests participated.
At 11 a.m. the Speaker Andreas Norlén welcomed the members of the Riksdag to a new working year in the Chamber.
At 1 p.m. the webcast from the opening of the Riksdag session started. The guests arrived at Riksplan. A small troop from the Life Guards was on parade. Flag-bearers from Sollentuna Dementia Association and Frivillig Väntjänst stood at the entrances. The piano trio Trio Conti performed inside on the Grand Stairway in the East Wing of the Riksdag.
At 2 p.m. the opening ceremony started in the Chamber. At the request of the Speaker Andreas Norlén, H.M. The King declared the 2020/21 Riksdag session open. Prime Minister Stefan Löfven (Social Democratic Party) then delivered the Statement of Government Policy which outlines the policies the Government intends to pursue during the coming year.
The programme in the Chamber also included music by the Brass Ensemble, the Swedish Royal Anthem, a performance by the vocal quartet Kraja, the Swedish National Anthem and exit music.
At 3 p.m. a live broadcast was shown on the Riksdag website, with interviews and other features about the opening of the Riksdag session and the future of democracy. The event ended with a pre-recorded concert with a number of musicians from the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra.
Participate remotely
You will be able to access the broadcasts from the opening from this page.
Follow the opening via Sveriges riksdag on social media (in Swedish)
Broadcasts
All broadcasts may be watched on demand. The ceremony was interpreted into English. Other webcasts are in Swedish only.
Broadcast from the Chamber at 11 a.m. The Speaker welcomed the members of the Riksdag to a new working year.
Webcasts: Inledning (Swe)
Broadcast from the opening of the Riksdag session
Webcasts: The opening of the Riksdag session
Continued coverage and concert
The opening of the Riksdag session highlights the fact that 100 years have passed since the advent of democracy in Sweden. The National Association for Women's Suffrage (LKPR) fought for universal and equal suffrage between 1903 and 1921.
Photo: Signe Bergmans samling