Government, Local Authorities and Regions

(Stat, kommun och region)

The authorities

(Myndigheterna)

Approximately 300 agencies, including the Police, Försäkringskassan and Tax Agency, report to the Government. The agencies help enforce the laws approved by the Riksdag and Government. The agencies are autonomous – neither the Riksdag nor the Government may try to influence their decisions.

The county administrative board

(Länsstyrelserna)

Each of Sweden’s 21 counties has an administrative board. The boards serve as the branch offices of the Government and Riksdag. They see to it that the decisions of the Government and Riksdag have the desired impact. The boards deal with various county-related issues, such as integration and protecting nature reserves.

Region Stockholm

(regioner)

Region Stockholm is responsible for health care and other matters. Health care is financed primarily by a general region tax. Each region determines the size and allocation of the tax. Sweden has 21 regions.

The municipality

(Kommunen)

Sweden has 290 municipalities. They are in charge of most of the public services that are available in the local communities. Among their most important tasks are nursery schools, compulsory schools, social services and elderly care. Their other responsibilities include Swedish for Immigrant programmes, rescue services, libraries and housing.

The parties that receive the most votes in the municipal elections gain the most seats on the municipal council. The politicians in the municipal council govern the work of the municipality. The general public can attend municipal council meetings. The meetings are advertised in local papers and on the municipality website.