The War Delegation ( sv, krigsdelegationen, or ''KD'') is a standing committee of the

Riksdag The Riksdag (, ; also sv, riksdagen or ''Sveriges riksdag'' ) is the legislature and the supreme decision-making body of Sweden. Since 1971, the Riksdag has been a unicameral legislature with 349 members (), elected proportionally and se ...

, with its functions enumerated in the

Instrument of Government The Instrument of Government was a constitution of the Commonwealth of England, Scotland and Ireland. Drafted by Major-General John Lambert in 1653, it was the first sovereign codified and written constitution in England. Antecedence The ' ...

and the Riksdag Act, with the purpose of replacing the Riksdag as a whole whenever

Sweden Sweden, formally the Kingdom of Sweden,The United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names states that the country's formal name is the Kingdom of SwedenUNGEGN World Geographical Names, Sweden./ref> is a Nordic countries, Nordic c ...

is at war or is otherwise exposed to a serious threat or crisis. The War Delegation is chaired by the

Speaker of the Riksdag (English: "Mr Speaker") , residence = , seat = Parliament House , nominator = Riksdag , appointer = The Alderman , termlength = Four years (''de facto'') , inaugural = Henry Allard , formation ...

and has fifty members who are elected following each

general election A general election is a political voting election where generally all or most members of a given political body are chosen. These are usually held for a nation, state, or territory's primary legislative body, and are different from by-elections ( ...

, for a total of 51 members. The Delegation has roughly the same powers as the Riksdag, but may not call

snap election A snap election is an election that is called earlier than the one that has been scheduled. Generally, a snap election in a parliamentary system (the dissolution of parliament) is called to capitalize on an unusual electoral opportunity or to ...

s or suspend ordinary elections. If Sweden is at war the members of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs can, if possible after consultation with the

Prime minister of Sweden The prime minister ( sv, statsminister ; literally translating to "Minister of State") is the head of government of Sweden. The prime minister and their cabinet (the government) exercise executive authority in the Kingdom of Sweden and are su ...

, enact that the delegation will take the place of the Riksdag. If the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs is hindered to meet the

Government of Sweden The Government of the Kingdom of Sweden ( sv, Konungariket Sveriges regering) is the national cabinet of Sweden, and the country's executive authority. The Government consists of the Prime Ministerappointed and dismissed by the Speaker of the ...

can decide the same. Since it is the member of the Advisory Council that makes the decision, the

King of Sweden The monarchy of Sweden is the monarchical head of state of Sweden,See the Instrument of Government, Chapter 1, Article 5. which is a constitutional and hereditary monarchy with a parliamentary system.Parliamentary system: see the Instrument ...

who is the president of the advisory council, does not partake in the decision. If Sweden is in danger of war the decision to call the War Delegation is decided in unison between the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs and the Prime minister. In order for it to have effect the Prime minister and at least 6 of the members of the Advisory Council must vote in its favor.1974 Instrument of Government

References

Kungörelse (1974:152) om beslutad ny regeringsform: 15. kap "Krig och krigsfara" 2-3 §
nstrument of Government 15th Chapiter "War and threat of war" 2-3 §(in Swedish). {{Committees of the Parliament of Sweden Riksdag

See also

References