Riksdag Act of 1866

For other versions of this work, see The Riksdag Act.

The Riksdag Act

June 22, 1866 as amended up to and including the year 1953.

We, CARL, by the Grace of God, King of Sweden, Norway, the Goths and the Wends, hereby make known that as the Estates of the Realm in the manner conforming to the fundamental law have adopted the proposal brought forward by us regarding a new Riksdag Act, this Riksdag Act in accordance with Article 82 of The Instrument of Government shall have the force of a fundamental law exactly as follows word for word:

We, the undersigned Estates of the Realm of Sweden, counts, barons, bishops, nobles, clergy, burghers and peasants, who are now, on our own behalf and on behalf of our brethren at home, assembled at a general Riksdag, hereby make known that as the King in Council by means of a gracious proposition of January 5, 1863, has delivered for our consideration a proposal for a new Riksdag Act, in accordance with Article 81 of The Instrument of Government, we have, following the procedure prescribed by the fundamental law for such important business, adopted the aforementioned graciously presented proposal as follows:

General Principles.

Art. 1.

1. The Swedish people are represented by the Riksdag, divided into two houses, the Upper House and the Lower House, which in all matters shall have equal competence and authority. In the exercise of their duties members of the Riksdag (Riksdagmen) can not be bound by other instructions than the fundamental laws of the realm.

2. Should it be deemed necessary in view of the particular importance or character of some measure to ascertain the opinion of the people before the decision, the King and the Riksdag may, by a law enacted jointly, provide that a referendum shall be held, in accordance with the provisions of Article 49, Section 2, of The Instrument of Government.

Art. 2.

By virtue of The Instrument of Government and without special summons the Riksdag shall convene annually on the 10th of January, or, if that be a holiday, on the following day. Nothing shall prevent the King, however, if he considers it necessary, to summon the Riksdag at an earlier date.

The spring session of the Riksdag shall adjourn not later than May 31; however, if it is considered that the business pending can be finished by not later than June 15, the Riksdag may, after consultation with the Speakers' Conference referred to in Article 50, decide that the session shall continue up until the last named date. If the Riksdag according to Article 58 has postponed the consideration of business pending to the autumn session, the Speakers shall summon the Riksdag to an autumn session beginning on the first suitable day after October 15; the session shall continue thereafter as long as it is necessary. The Riksdag shall adjourn not later than December 31; however, the King may, when particular reasons warrant, decide to postpone the adjournment of the Riksdag, with a corresponding extension of expiring terms of office. The adjournment shall take place not later than the day before the beginning of the spring session of the next Riksdag.

During the time when the Riksdag is not in session, the King may also, if he deems it necessary, summon the Riksdag to an extra session.

If the Riksdag is not in session, sixty-five members of the Upper House or one hundred members of the Lower House may request the summoning of the Riksdag to an extra session, in which case special reasons prompting the action shall be given and the summons issued not later than twenty days after the request has been presented. Provisions for the summoning of the Riksdag on certain special occasions are contained in Articles 91, 92, 93, 94 and 108 of The Instrument of Government.

Art. 3.

Riksdagmen are elected to both houses for a definite period of time. The King has the right, however, to order new elections throughout the entire realm to one or both houses before the expiration of this period.

Art. 4.

No one shall prevent a Riksdagman from exercising his duties as a representative; however, in wartime an exception may be made for military personnel, when they are ordered by the King into the service of the realm.

Art. 5.

The King has the right to dissolve the Riksdag, provided he orders new elections to one or both houses. If the Riksdag has been dissolved, it shall convene within three months of the dissolution on a date set by the King and it may not be dissolved again until four months from the beginning of the last meeting have elapsed.

The Composition of the Houses.

A. Upper House.

Art. 6.

1. The members of the Upper House, one hundred and fifty in number, shall be elected by the county councils and the city councils in cities not represented on a county council. Election is for eight years from the beginning of January of the year following the election.

2. For election to the Upper House the realm is divided into constituencies. The cities of Stockholm and Gothenburg each form a separate constituency. Any other city not represented on a county council belongs to the same constituency as the county council area in which the city formerly was included. Several county council areas can be included in one constituency; but no such area shall be divided into separate constituencies. The division into constituencies is set forth in the Electoral Law.

3. Each constituency shall elect one Riksdagman for every full number of its population corresponding to one one hundred and fiftieth part of the population of the realm.

4. For the purpose of attaining a number of Riksdagmen of one hundred and fifty, where the number of Riksdagmen to be elected after the application of the provisions in Section 3 does not reach that figure, those constituencies whose population most exceeds the number which according to the same Section governs the distribution of Riksdagmen among the constituencies, shall be entitled to elect an additional Riksdagman.

5. The number of Riksdagmen to be elected from each constituency according to the above mentioned principles, is established every tenth year by the King; the number of Riksdagmen for a constituency shall not, however, on account of what is thus established, be reduced during the current election period.

6. If, when the provisions of Section 5 are to be applied, there are not so many vacancies within the house that all the constituencies for which an increase in the number of Riksdagmen ought to occur, can at the same time be entitled to the right to elect the full number of Riksdagmen, the following principles shall be applied in establishing the order in which these constituencies shall be entitled to this right: constituencies for which the increase in the number of Riksdagmen is based on the provisions in Section 3 shall have priority over those for which the increase is derived from the provisions in Section 4; among constituencies which on account of provisions in Section 3 shall choose an increased number of Riksdagmen, priority is given to the constituency for which the number is the largest, or, if the number is equal for two or more constituencies, the one among them whose population most exceeds the number which according to the same Section governs the distribution of Riksdagmen among the constituencies; among constituencies which pursuant to Section 4 have the right to choose an increased number of Riksdagmen priority shall be given the one in which the excess defined in the same Section is largest; and in those cases where this excess, equally large in two or more constituencies, can not serve as a basis for the determination of priority among them, priority shall be established by lot before the head of the Ministry of Justice, in the presence of three of the Commissioners of the Bank of Sweden and three of the Commissioners of the National Debt Office.

7. If several county council areas belong to the same constituency, and if in any of the areas the number of council members is larger than the number which would have been chosen provided the rules governing the election to the county council of another area within the constituency had been applied, then no more councilmen in the first named area shall participate in the election of Riksdagmen than the number corresponding to the rules just mentioned; and therefore the county council in the area, when election to the Riksdag is to be held in the constituency, shall select such a number of its members as should take part in the election to the Riksdag.

If one or several cities which are not represented on a county council belong to the same constituency as the county council area, then no more city council members in such a city, or cities, shall take part in the election of Riksdagmen than the number which according to the population in the city, or cities, corresponds to the general rules concerning elections to county councils; and therefore when election to the Riksdag for the constituency is to be held, the city council, or councils, shall select such a number of its members as should take part in the election to the Riksdag; the city council, or councils, when selecting such electors shall also select, from among council members, substitutes for the electors.

Election provided for in this Section shall be proportional and in accordance with specifications set forth in legislation enacted jointly by the King and the Riksdag.

Where a county councilman who has been selected an elector is unable to perform his duties a substitute shall be called in the order generally applicable in cases of unavoidable absence on the part of councilmen. If a city councilman who has been selected an elector is similarly incapacitated he shall without delay inform the court in the city which shall call the proper substitute to participate in the election.

8. If a constituency for election of members of the Upper House comprises several counties, or parts of several counties, it shall be incumbent upon the County Governor in the one of those counties named by the King to attend to all those matters connected with the election, which, according to what is provided concerning such matters, devolves upon the County Governor.

Art. 7.

1. Constituencies shall be divided into eight groups. This division is set forth in the Electoral Law.

2. Each year during the month of October an election shall be held within one of the groups mentioned in Section 1 for the eight year period following that year. The order to be observed among the groups in holding elections is prescribed in the Electoral Law.

3. If the King has ordered new elections throughout the entire realm, an election shall be held in each constituency for the time not yet expired of the eight year period for which elections last were held within the group to which the constituency belongs.

4. If a Riksdagman in one constituency has retired before the expiration of the eight year period, or if the seat, when the eight year period for a constituency has expired, shall be transferred from that constituency to a constituency in another group, the seat shall be filled in the manner provided in the Electoral Law for the time until the expiration of the eight year period for which election last was held in the constituency entitled to the seat; provided that when the seat is already filled for the time after the current year, the seat shall be held only for the time until the end of the year.

Art. 8.

Elections to the Upper House shall be proportional in all cases where two or more Riksdagmen are to be elected. Further provisions regarding these elections are given in the Electoral Law.

Art. 9.

Only men and women who are entitled to vote in local affairs and who have attained the age of 23 years can be elected as members of the Upper House. If a Riksdagman, after he has been elected, ceases to be eligible to be a member of the house, he shall relinquish his position.

Art. 10.

For each person who has been elected as a member of the Upper House a certificate of election in two copies shall be issued without delay and in the manner set forth in detail by the Electoral Law, one copy to be delivered to the person elected and the other to be sent to the Ministry of Justice.

Art. 11.

Whoever has objections to raise over the election of a Riksdagman to the Upper House may humbly file a complaint with the King. For such a purpose the complainant shall request from the proper recorder an appropriate extract from the records which is to be delivered to the complainant within two days; and in order to preserve his right to proceed he shall file his complaint, which shall be addressed to the King, with the County Governor within a month of the completion of the election. By proclamation to be published in the official gazette the Governor shall set a certain brief period in which a humble demurrer may be lodged with him against the complaint. After the lapse of that time the County Governor shall send the documents concerning the complaint together with whatever demurrer that may have been made without delay to the King so that the matter may be pleaded and decided promptly by the Supreme Administrative Court.

Art. 12.

If a member of the Upper House wishes to resign he may do so at the time of the election, or, later, when the Riksdag is not in session, by notifying the County Governor.

B. Lower House.

Art. 13.

The members of the Lower House shall be two hundred and thirty in number or that larger number which may be occasioned by the application of Article 15, Section 3. They shall be elected for a period of four years, from the beginning of January of the year following election.

Art. 14.

The division of the realm into constituencies is set forth in the Electoral Law.

Art. 15.

1. Each constituency shall elect one Riksdagman for every full number of its population at the beginning of the year immediately preceding the four year period for which the election is held corresponding to one two hundred and thirtieth part of the population of the realm.

2. For the purpose of attaining the number of Riksdagmen of two hundred and thirty, in case the number of Riksdagmen to be elected after the application of the provisions in Section 1 does not reach that figure, those constituencies whose population most exceeds the number which according to the same Section governs the distribution of Riksdagmen among the constituencies, each in the order determined by the size of the excess shall be entitled to elect an additional Riksdagman. If the excess number is equal for two or more constituencies priority shall be established when necessary by lot in the manner provided by Article 6, Section 6.

3. If the number of Riksdagmen which according to Section 1 and 2 shall be elected in a constituency is either less than three or at least three but not five the number shall be increased in the former instance to three and in the latter to five.

4. The number of Riksdagmen to be elected from each constituency according to the above designated principles shall be established for each four year period by the King.

Art. 16.

Each man and woman who is a Swedish subject and has attained the age of twenty-one years not later than during the calendar year preceding the election year, shall have the right to vote at elections.

The right to vote at elections shall not be exercised, however, by anyone who is under guardianship. There shall be a record of persons entitled to vote for use at elections; and, in the manner set forth in the Electoral Law, the right to vote at elections shall be based on circumstances existing at the time this record is compiled, changes occurring before the election notwithstanding.

Art. 17.

1. Election of Riksdagmen to the Lower House shall be held the year immediately preceding the four year period for which the election is held, on the day during the month of September designated in the Electoral Law.

2. If the King orders new elections they shall be held without delay for the remainder of the four year period.

3. If a Riksdagman retires before the period for which he was elected has expired, the seat shall be filled in the manner provided for in the Electoral Law. If the seat is to be filled by new election, such election shall be held without delay for the remaining period.

Art. 18.

Elections to the Lower House shall be direct and when two or more Riksdagmen are to be elected, proportional. At these elections each voter shall have an equal vote.

Further provisions concerning the elections are given in the Electoral Law.

Art. 19.

Only men and women who have attained the age of twenty-three years and have the right to vote within the constituency or, in a city consisting of several constituencies, in one of them, can be elected as members of the Lower House.

Art. 20.

For each person who has been elected a member of the Lower House a certificate of election in two copies shall be issued without delay in the manner set forth in detail by the Electoral Law, one copy to be delivered to the person elected and the other to be sent to the Ministry of Justice.

Art. 21.

If a member of the Lower House wishes to resign he may do so at the time of the election, or later, when the Riksdag is not in session, by notifying the County Governor.

Art. 22.

Whoever has objections to raise over the election of a Riksdagman to the Lower House may humbly file a complaint with the King. For such a purpose the complainant shall request of the County Governor an appropriate extract from the records which is to be delivered to the complainant within three days; and in order to preserve his right to proceed he shall file his complaint, which shall be addressed to the King, with the County Governor within ten days after completion of the election. In the manner prescribed in Article 11 the Governor shall allow those concerned the opportunity to demur. After the time set for making demurrers has expired the County Governor shall send the complaint together with all other documents in the case without delay to the King, whereupon the case shall be disposed of in the manner set forth in Article 11.

C. Provisions Applicable to Both Houses.

Art. 23.

Members of the Riksdag are entitled to a salary and traveling expenses out of public funds. Further provisions concerning this matter are prescribed in an act jointly adopted by the King and the Riksdag.

Art. 24.

The right to vote may not be exercised by anyone entitled to vote unless he appears personally at the place of election in the manner prescribed in the Electoral Law; provided that citizens entitled to vote, who are prevented from appearing in person as a consequence of an absence from the realm or on account of duties relating to their occupations or professions may, to the extent and under the conditions provided for in the aforementioned law, vote before the election, and provided that a spouse may, in the manner prescribed in the same law, submit a completed ballot through the other spouse if the latter is also entitled to vote.

Art. 25.

Election of Riksdagmen is carried out by secret ballot. If more than half the number of ballots are invalid a new election shall be held.

Art. 26.

Membership of the Riksdag can be held only by Swedish citizens.

No one shall be accepted as a Riksdagman a) who is under guardianship, b) who is a bankrupt, c) who has been convicted of having tried to solicit votes at an election to the Riksdag by money or gifts, or who has given his vote in return for recompense, or who has interfered with the freedom of election by means of violence or threat.

The provisions in general or special laws according to which a person who is sentenced to punishment in certain cases shall also be sentenced to be deprived of such public office as he may have held, or be disqualified from taking up such office, shall also be applied with regard to membership of the Riksdag.

Art. 27.

If anyone is elected for the same time a member of both houses, or a member of one house from two or more constituencies, he shall have the right to decide in which house he is to sit or for which constituency he wants to regard himself as elected Riksdagman. It is his duty, however, to notify promptly the County Governor in the area for which he does not accept the position of Riksdagman.

Art. 28.

1. While the Riksdag is in session the Speakers of each house shall notify the King of the vacant seats within their respective houses which shall be filled during the same Riksdag or before the next, whereupon the King shall enjoin his county governors to make arrangements for the selection of new Riksdagmen to take the place of the retired members.

2. If a vacancy in either house occurs owing to the retirement of a member during the time when the Riksdag is not in session, it is incumbent upon the County Governor to proceed in the manner set forth in Section 1.

Art. 29.

A Riksdagman may not resign while the Riksdag is in session unless he shows such cause preventing him from carrying out the duties of a Riksdagman as will be accepted by the house to which he belongs, provided that by this provision no change is made in what is stated above concerning the right to resign at the time of election.

Art. 30.

If the realm is at war or in danger of war the King and the Riksdag jointly may decide, if it is found absolutely necessary, that election to the Riksdag shall be postponed for one year at the most from the time the election would normally have been held, and that the election period which would have expired shall be extended by one year. At the same time it may be decided that the term of the election that takes place for the election postponed shall be reduced by one year. Decisions taken by authority of this paragraph may be repeated. For a valid decision of the Riksdag according to the first paragraph it is necessary that a division be taken and that at least three-fourths of those voting in each house concur in the decision. The extension of the period of election does not curtail the right of the King to order new elections.

The Beginning and Dissolution of the Riksdag.

Art. 31.

The Riksdag shall meet in the capital city of the realm unless hostile invasion, pestilence or other equally grave circumstances make it impossible or dangerous to the liberty or security of the Riksdag. It devolves upon the King in such instances to designate and announce another place of meeting in the manner specified in Article 50 of The Instrument of Government.

Art. 32.

1. Before the Riksdag convenes, the certificates of election, issued for the members of the Riksdag and received by the Ministry of Justice, shall be examined before the head of the Ministry, or before the person designated by the King to act in his stead, in the presence of three of the Commissioners of the Bank of Sweden chosen by the Riksdag, and three of the Commissioners of the National Debt Office. This examination, the purpose of which is to investigate whether the certificates of election have been issued in the prescribed form, shall be completed not later than the day before the beginning of the Riksdag. If certificates of election arrive after the beginning of the Riksdag such examination shall take place immediately.

2. It devolves upon each house, however, to pass on the competence to exercise the duties of Riksdagmen not only for those members whose certificates of election have not been approved but also for those against whom objections based on this fundamental law have otherwise been raised. The member whose right to exercise the duties of a Riksdagman is being questioned in the house shall nevertheless retain his position as a member of the Riksdag until he has been declared incompetent by the house.

Art. 33.

1. As soon as the Riksdag is convened and the report made by the head of the Ministry of Justice, or the person designated to act in his stead on the examination prescribed in Section 1 of the preceding Article has been communicated to each of the houses as far as its members are concerned, each house shall elect from among its members a Speaker and a First and a Second Deputy Speaker.

At the election of Speakers and Deputy Speakers the candidate who has received more than half of the votes cast shall be considered elected. Further provisions concerning such elections are given in The Riksdag Regulations, mentioned in Article 78.

2. Before the election mentioned in the first Section takes place, the member present who has attended the greatest number of Riksdags, or, if there are two or more members who have attended an equal number, the one of them who is the oldest in years, shall preside.

3. If a Speaker or Deputy dies or resigns his position during a Riksdag, the house shall elect as soon as possible a new Speaker or Deputy Speaker.

4. If both the Speaker and the Deputy Speakers of a house are unavoidably absent at the same time another member shall be elected by the house, under the chairmanship as provided in Section 2, to act as Speaker until one of them again resumes his duties.

Art. 34.

The King shall cause the time designated by him for the opening of the Riksdag to be publicly proclaimed. This time may not be fixed for a later date than the second weekday after the beginning of the Riksdag. At that time the Riksdagmen, after a religious service has been held, shall assemble in the Hall of State where the King, or if he finds it suitable, the Prime Minister or another member of the Council of State shall preside. On this occasion the King will cause to be delivered to the Riksdag in two copies, of which one shall be given to each house, the proposition as to the state and requirements of the administration, containing also a proposal relating to the manner of providing by taxation for the needs of the State in excess of the standing revenues, as well as the report on what has occurred in the government of the realm since the beginning of the preceding Riksdag. If, however, in accordance with Article 2, the King has summoned the Riksdag to convene on a day before January 10, the proposition and the report mentioned may be presented to the houses in a different manner although not later than at the first meeting after the 11th of January.

At a Riksdag convening after dissolution according to Article 5, the report just mentioned shall not be delivered, and the proposition concerning the state and requirements of the administration shall be presented only if the budget has not been passed.

When the King, in the manner here provided for, has opened the Riksdag, the Speakers of the houses on the same occasion shall convey to the King in the name of the houses their loyal respect.

Art. 35.

If, when the Riksdag is in session, the King desires to order new general elections to one or both houses, the King, after he has caused the Riksdag to be called to the Hall of State, shall communicate this decision with the Riksdag. The decision may also, if the King deems it appropriate, be announced to the Riksdag by open letter, which shall be read simultaneously in both houses by the member of the Council of State designated by the King. The Riksdag shall be dissolved immediately after the reading.

The Preparation of Business.

Art. 36.

1. At each Riksdag, within six days after the opening of the Riksdag, the following committees shall be constituted: one Committee on Foreign Affairs, one Committee on the Constitution, one Committee of Supply, one Committee of Ways and Means, one Committee on Banking, three Committees on Laws, one Committee on Agriculture and one Committee on Miscellaneous Affairs. These standing committees of the Riksdag shall consist of the following number of members, half the number always to be chosen by each house from among its own members; the Committee on Foreign Affairs 16, the Committee on the Constitution 20, the Committee of Supply 30, the Committee of Ways and Means 20, the Committee on Banking 16, the Committees on Laws 16 each, the Committee on Agriculture 20 and the Committee on Miscellaneous Affairs 24. By joint decision the houses, whenever it is considered necessary, may resolve to constitute a special committee to take up questions belonging to the jurisdiction of a standing committee, and also, whenever a committee other than the Committee on Foreign Affairs reports a need for an increase in the number of committee members, to provide for such enlargement.

If a question is closely associated with a subject matter under the jurisdiction of a certain standing committee the question may be referred to that committee, notwithstanding that the matter according to regulations in Articles 37-44 ought to have been dealt with by another standing committee.

2. If a question is raised in a house which concerns that house only, a Committee on House Internal Matters may be constituted within the house, consisting of as many members as the house deems necessary.

3. Each house shall also choose from among its members substitutes to take the place of committee members who resign or are temporarily unable to fulfill their duties. The number of substitutes for members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs shall be eight from each house.

4. At a Riksdag convening after dissolution, provided for in Article 5, no more committees than necessary shall be constituted.

5. Elections to committees shall be governed by the provisions in Article 75 below as well as The Riksdag Regulations, mentioned in Article 78.

6. Members of the Council of State may not participate in elections to the Committee on the Constitution; nor may a former Council of State member participate in the first election to the Committee on the Constitution following the termination of his service.

Neither members of the Council of State nor justices of the Supreme Court or the Supreme Administrative Court may participate in committees, with the exception indicated in Article 37, Section 2, for the Committee on Foreign Affairs.

No one whom the Riksdag can call to account may be elected to a committee in which his own official actions might be reviewed, provided that former members of the Council of State shall not be excluded from being elected to the Committee of Supply, in which, however, such a member shall not have the right to participate in the consideration of business defined in Article 39, Section 2.

Art. 37.

1. The Committee on Foreign Affairs shall make reports and submit proposals with regard to matters referred to it which concern the relations of the realm with foreign powers and are not subject to the jurisdiction of another committee.

2. When a matter submitted by the King to the Riksdag is on the agenda of the Committee all available documents shall be communicated to the Committee.

The Prime Minister, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, as well as, when the nature of the matter under consideration so warrants, any other member of the Council of State, may personally or through a public official communicate verbal or written information to the Committee.

If in the opinion of the King or the Committee information submitted on a certain matter is of such a character that it should be kept secret for reasons of the security of the realm or for other extremely important reasons based on the relations with foreign powers the members of the Committee shall be committed to secrecy. The first time a member, or a substitute, is present at a meeting of the Committee he shall vow to observe such commitments.

Art. 38.

1. It devolves upon the Committee on the Constitution to examine the fundamental laws, the law restricting the right of access to public documents, the Electoral Law, the statute on emoluments for the performance of the duties of Riksdagmen, as well as The Riksdag Regulations adopted pursuant to Article 78, and to propose to the Riksdag those amendments thereto which the Committee considers most necessary or useful and possible to effect, and, also, to report on matters referred to the Committee from the houses concerning these enactments.

2. The Committee shall further make reports and submit proposals with regard to matters referred to it which concern the enactment, amendment, interpretation or repeal of laws relating to local government and the laws and statutes on the responsibility of the Council of State, on the number of ministries and Council members without portfolio, on matters of military command, on the arms and flag of the realm, on the Synod of the Church, and on general referendum in questions not subject to the jurisdiction of another committee.

3. It is incumbent upon the Committee to ask for the minutes kept in the Council of State, provided that what is prescribed in Article 105 of The Instrument of Government shall obtain with regard to certain minutes. The provisions of The Instrument of Government govern the right and duty of the Committee, after inspection of the minutes, to report criticisms to the Riksdag arising from this inspection or to take such other action as may be necessary with reference to reported censure, and, also, when a question has been raised by a Riksdagman or a committee other than the Committee on the Constitution that the Council of State or one of its members has exercised his office in an unauthorized manner, to report on the matter before it is decided upon by the Riksdag.

4. It devolves upon the Committee likewise to render a decision when differences arise between the houses as to which committee a matter under discussion ought to be referred, and also to render a decision when a difference arises between a house and its Speaker concerning a refusal of the latter to put a matter to a vote.

5. If in the opinion of the Committee information submitted on a certain matter is of such a character that it should be kept secret for reasons of the security of the realm or for other extremely important reasons based on the relations with foreign powers the members of the Committee shall be committed to secrecy. The first time a member or a substitute is present at a meeting of the Committee he shall vow to observe such commitments.

Art. 39.

1. It is incumbent upon the Committee of Supply to which shall be communicated the proposition issued to the Riksdag by the King concerning the state and requirements of the administration and which Committee shall also have access to all governmental accounts and documents, to inspect, investigate and give account of the state and administration of the government insofar as it does not concern agricultural matters, the cost of the Riksdag, the activities of its auditors or the expenses for the Riksdag building, or the offices and agencies of the Riksdag, and to propose what is necessary to meet the needs of government with due consideration for the reductions and saving that ought to be effected. It is likewise incumbent upon the Committee either jointly, in the manner prescribed by Article 47, or otherwise, after consultation with the other committees handling budgetary matters, to estimate the standing revenue, to report the need of taxation, and to draw up a proposed budget.

2. It devolves upon the Committee, furthermore, to examine and inspect whether completed or authorized disbursements from public funds have not exceeded the total of the main headings which were set by the Riksdag in the final budget, and whether disbursements have been based on duly established budget accounts, or the King's directions for payment issued in the prescribed manner, and verified by the receipt required from those persons who have received the funds. If, contrary to the decisions of the Riksdag, the sums appropriated to any main heading are found to have been used for other purposes than those covered by that same main heading, or if any appropriation voted by the Riksdag has been exceeded, the Committee shall submit a report to the houses on the official who has countersigned or signed such a direction to pay, whereupon the provisions in Articles 106 and 107 of The Instrument of Government shall be applied. The Committee may not, however, in contravention of Article 90 of The Instrument of Government, enter upon any criticism of the King's directions to pay, nor hold those government officials in charge of the state accounts personally responsible to the Committee or the Riksdag; but the Riksdag, when it is found necessary, shall report to the King the grounds that have been brought to its attention for legal action against any such official.

Art. 40.

1. It is incumbent upon the Committee of Ways and Means to prepare all questions concerning taxation referred to the Committee from the houses. The Committee, furthermore, either jointly, in the manner prescribed by Article 47, or otherwise after consultation with the other committees handling budgetary matters, shall estimate the income of each of the several taxes and, after the needs of the administration have been investigated and determined, recommend the manner in which the budget may be balanced by means of taxation. The Committee may also recommend such measures relating to matters of taxation as it considers just, reasonable and useful.

2. It devolves upon the Committee, moreover, to make reports and present proposals in matters referred to it by the houses concerning the enactment, amendment, interpretation or repeal of laws and statutes relating to taxation by local government and relating to products containing alcohol, including cases not covered by Section 1.

Art. 41.

1. It is incumbent upon the Committee on Banking to investigate and inquire into the management and state of the Bank of Sweden and the National Debt Office and to propose, and, wherever the Riksdag has delegated such power to the Committee, to make regulations on the management of the Bank of Sweden and the National Debt Office. The Committee shall propose what is necessary to meet the needs of the National Debt Office. The Committee, furthermore, shall make reports and present proposals with reference to those matters referred to the Committee from the houses which concern the use of loan funds administered by the National Debt Office.

2. It devolves upon the Committee, moreover, to make reports and present proposals with regard to matters referred to the Committee from the houses concerning the enactment, amendment, interpretation or repeal of laws and statutes relating to the Bank of Sweden as well as other banking establishments and the currency of the realm, and also such matters concerning the organization and condition of the general economy or particular branches of economic life as are not of the nature to be handled in another committee.

3. The proposition presented by the King concerning the state and requirements of the administration shall also be communicated to the Committee insofar as the proposition pertains to the expenses of the Riksdag and the activities of its auditors or the expenses for the Riksdag building and the offices and agencies of the Riksdag, and submit reports and proposals occasioned by those parts of the proposition or by matters concerning the subjects mentioned referred to the Committee from the houses.

Art. 42.

1. The Committees on Laws shall make reports and present proposals with regard to matters which, not being subject to the jurisdiction of another committee, are referred to them from the houses concerning the enactment, amendment, interpretation or repeal of civil, criminal or ecclesiastical law or other laws and statutes, which are enacted jointly by the King and the Riksdag.

2. It devolves upon a Committee on Laws moreover to inspect the reports of the Procurators General of Civil and Military Affairs and likewise their official diaries, minutes and registers, and to submit a report on the inspection to the Riksdag. If the Committee finds from the inspection that a Procurator General or his deputy does not deserve the confidence of the Riksdag and that on this account he should be relieved of his duties before the end of the time for which he has been elected, the Committee shall make a recommendation on the matter to the Riksdag in its report.

3. The division among the Committees on Laws of the work under their jurisdiction shall be executed in the manner decided by the Riksdag.

Art. 43.

It is incumbent upon the Committee on Agriculture to which shall be communicated the proposition presented by the King to the Riksdag on the state and requirements of the administration insofar as it pertains to agricultural matters, to inspect and, with due consideration to necessary reductions and savings, investigate and give an account of the needs of the administration with reference to that branch of government, and furthermore, to submit reports and proposals concerning agricultural matters referred to the Committee from the houses.

Art. 44.

The Committee on Miscellaneous Affairs shall make reports and present proposals on those matters, not under the jurisdiction of another committee and referred to it from the houses, which are of such a nature as to require a committee opinion.

Art. 45.

1. All committees shall meet within two days from the time they are constituted.

2. The committees shall elect, each from among its members, a chairman. and a vice-chairman. Until this election has been held, the member who has attended the greatest number of Riksdags, or if there are two or more members who have attended an equal number, the one of them who is the oldest in years, shall preside.

3. The committees shall, as soon as possible, submit such reports as are incumbent upon them.

Art. 46.

If a committee needs verbal or written information from any government official or agency, the committee through its chairman may request the King's order, through the member of the Council of State whom the King shall designate for this purpose at each Riksdag, to the proper person or agency to submit the information requested; provided that the Office of the Paymaster General, the Bank of Sweden and the National Debt Office shall submit directly all information requested concerning the accounting of public moneys.

Art. 47.

When a standing committee considers it necessary to meet with another standing committee to consider a matter, a meeting shall be held, comprising representatives of the committees, in the manner agreed upon by the committees. Such a combined committee has the right to present reports on questions with which it has dealt without the participation of the other members of the two standing committees.

Art. 48.

Open voting shall be used in the committees. If the votes are evenly divided, the chairman shall place in an urn used exclusively for this purpose a yes-ballot and a no-ballot, both exactly alike in size and appearance, printed and unmarked and each closed and rolled up, and the result of the voting is determined by the ballot which one of the members of the committee draws. from the voting urn at the request of the chairman.

Elections which occur within committees are governed by the provisions of Article 75, Section 2.

A member who does not concur in the decision of a committee shall retain the right to submit to the houses, along with the report of the committee, his dissenting opinion which in that case is to be presented in writing to the committee. The committee report must not thereby be delayed.

Art. 49.

The members and substitutes elected to the Committee on Foreign Affairs provided for in Article 36 also constitute the members and substitutes of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs referred to in Article 54 of The Instrument of Government. A member of this Council retains his membership until new elections to the Committee on Foreign Affairs take place. A member of the Advisory Council who ceases to be a member of the Riksdag before the termination of the period for which he was elected to the Riksdag, or who is appointed a member of the Council of State, shall, however, no longer be recognized as a member of the Advisory Council. If the King orders new elections to one or both houses, the members of the Advisory Council retain their membership on the Council notwithstanding.

If a vacancy on the Council arises, it shall be filled by a substitute. If a member is unavoidably absent from a meeting a substitute shall be called upon to serve in his stead. The regulations concerning the order of priority to be observed in calling upon substitutes to the committees of the Riksdag shall also have validity with regard to the Council. A substitute although not called upon to serve as a member on the Council shall nevertheless be given the opportunity to attend the meetings of the Council.

The King convenes the Council as often as business demands, and is chairman of the Council when he is present. In the King's absence, the Prime Minister, or in the latter's absence, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, takes the chair. The King may summon other members of the Council of State, as well as special experts to the meetings. The King appoints the secretary of the Council.

The Council shall be convened if at least six members propose to the Minister for Foreign Affairs that a certain stated question be considered.

The first time a member or a substitute is present at a meeting of the Council, he shall vow to observe the rules of secrecy specified in Article 54 of The Instrument of Government.

The Consideration of Business in the Houses.

Art. 50.

The Speakers shall ensure that the work of the Riksdag is pursued with due promptness and as systematically as possible.

Each house shall choose four members to confer with the Speakers and Deputy Speakers on what should be observed with respect to the consideration of business in the committees and houses in order to attain that end (Speakers' Conference). Further provisions on the Speakers' Conference are given in The Riksdag Regulations mentioned in Article 78.

Art. 51.

It is incumbent upon the Speakers or, in case they are unavoidably absent, the Deputy Speakers, each for his house, to summon meetings, to state the business at the meeting, to take notice of, clarify and present the expressed opinions, to put the questions for final decision and maintain order at the meetings, according to the provisions of this fundamental law. However, the member who exercises the functions of the Speaker may not participate in the debates or voting, nor propose anything other than that which is required for the execution of the fundamental laws, of the several decisions of the Riksdag or the houses, or in general of the rules and regulations which have been adopted for the consideration of the business of the Riksdag. A Speaker does not have the power to adjourn a meeting of a house without its approval.

Art. 52.

At a meeting of a house each member has the right, with those exceptions embodied in this Riksdag Act, or in regulations adopted by the house, based on the same Act, to speak freely for the minutes and to elaborate on all matters under consideration and on the lawfulness of everything which occurs within the house.

Each member may speak in the order in which he has registered himself for that purpose and is called by the Speaker. However, in the manner especially prescribed by the house a member may speak in a different order for the purpose of making a reply to another member.

A Riksdagman may, in the manner especially prescribed by the house, pose an interrogation to a member of the Council of State on a subject not appearing on the agenda. Such interrogations are either interpellations or simple questions to elicit information. The house may prescribe limitations on the right of a member to speak in connection with the presentation of interpellations or replies to simple questions.

No one shall have the right to speak without his remarks being recorded in the minutes.

No one shall indulge in personally insulting remarks or otherwise conduct himself in a manner inconsistent with good order. Should this happen and the offender not mend his ways on the Speaker's admonition, the Speaker shall have the right to deprive him of his right to speak. If that has taken place, the offender may not speak again for the remainder of that meeting. If a proposal is presented that the Speaker also issue a warning to the member who has thus misconducted himself or that the matter be referred to the competent court, such a decision shall be taken by the house at the next meeting without previous deliberation.

Art. 53.

Neither the Riksdag nor the houses may deliberate or decide on any subject in the presence of the King, nor may regents acting on behalf of a King who is under age be present at the deliberations or decisions of the houses.

The members of the Council of State shall have the right to be present in each house with the right to participate in the debates but not in the decisions if they are not themselves members of the house.

In matters which concern any member of a house personally he may be present at the debates but not at the decision.

Art. 54.

The King's written messages and propositions shall be presented to both houses and shall always be accompanied by reports of the Council of State and, when the Law Council has also submitted a report, by that report. Propositions which refer to the income and expenditure of the State for the next fiscal year shall be presented to the Riksdag within seventy days from its opening, and, with the exception of propositions concerning the final settlement of the budget, such a proposition may not be presented later unless the King considers that delay in presenting it would cause serious detriment to the public interest.

Other propositions are to be presented to the Riksdag within ninety days from its opening, and such a proposition may not be presented later unless the King considers that delay in presenting it would cause detriment to the public interest or otherwise finds that special reasons call for its presentation.

Art. 55.

1. Private members' motions may be introduced by a Riksdagman in the house of which he is a member within fifteen days from the day the proposition concerning the state and requirements of the administration was delivered to the house.

Private members' motions occasioned by a proposition which has been presented after the opening of the Riksdag may, however, be introduced not later than at the first meeting occurring ten days after the proposition was presented to the house, provided that the house in such cases may grant an extension of this time if that is considered necessary owing to intervening holidays or the extraordinary magnitude of the matter concerned. However, the time may not be extended beyond the first meeting occurring fifteen days after the proposition was presented to the house, and the question of extension may not be raised later than at the second meeting after the one at which the proposition was thus presented.

If consideration of a proposition has been postponed to the autumn session, private members' motions occasioned by the proposition may be introduced not later than the day after the beginning of the autumn session. What is provided in the second paragraph shall be applied similarly to private members' motions occasioned by requests from any of the offices and agencies of the Riksdag. In such cases the time for the introduction of private members' motions shall be calculated from the day when the house was notified in the manner prescribed by the Riksdag of the filing of such a request.

On questions which concern one house only and on questions which have already been decided by one house or are immediately related to some other development occurring during the Riksdag, private members' motions may be presented as long as the Riksdag is in session.

Private members' motions shall always be delivered in writing for the minutes. Several matters of a different nature may not be combined in one and the same proposal.

2. Propositions from the King, and also private members' motions on subjects under the jurisdiction of a standing committee, can not be decided by the house before they have been reported on by a committee. Questions which concern one house only may be decided immediately.

Art. 56.

Whenever the King deems it desirable that information be communicated orally to the Riksdag on any matter concerning the relations of the realm with foreign powers, or on any other matter of major interest, it devolves upon the member of the Council of State named by the King for this purpose to deliver the message in each house. No member of the house shall be denied the right to express himself concerning the information communicated. The King may decide, in such cases, that the meetings of the houses shall take place behind closed doors.

Art. 57.

Whenever a question is raised in the houses by a Riksdagman or by any committee other than the Committee on the Constitution, that the Council of State or any one of its members have exercised their office in an unauthorized manner the following wording only shall be used: "There is cause for censure of the Council of State or of such and such a member, on which matter reference to the Committee on the Constitution is requested, before which Committee the cause will be stated." Such reference must not be refused but shall take place immediately. The deliberations in a house on such a question shall be governed, as regards the King's decisions in matters concerning the rights and affairs of private persons or corporations, by the provisions in Article 107 of The Instrument of Government.

Art. 58.

When a proposition or private member's motion is presented for the first time in a house it shall, provided that the house does not refer it to a committee immediately, lie on the table until the next meeting when such reference shall be made, unless the proposal is withdrawn, or, if it concerns one house only, otherwise acted upon. Each member has the right to state his opinion on the matter, such opinion likewise to be delivered to the committee, but the reference to the committee must not thereby be delayed.

If the question is raised in a house of extending the time for private members' motions in the manner prescribed in the second paragraph of Section 1, Article 55, or if a question arises as to which committee a matter should be referred, such a question may be tabled, but shall absolutely be decided at the next meeting. The houses may by joint decision postpone the consideration of propositions and private members' motions which do not concern the budget to another session or to the following Riksdag. Further postponements may be agreed to, provided that the matter shall be decided at the latest during the following Riksdag. Consideration of a matter may not be postponed to the following Riksdag if new general elections to the Lower House are to be held before that time. If the King orders new elections to one or both houses, the decision on postponement shall cease to have effect.

Postponement of a matter referred to a committee may be decided on the request of the committee, which has to secure the opinion of the Speakers' Conference on the question; the houses are entitled, however, at the consideration of the report of the committee in the matter to decide on postponement in accordance with the preceding paragraph. By joint decision the houses, after conferring with the Speakers' Conference mentioned in Article 50, may decide that a postponed question shall be taken up at an extra session.

Proposals to enact, amend, interpret or repeal a fundamental law adopted as pending by the Riksdag may only be postponed to such an extent as is compatible with the provisions of Article 64.

Art. 59.

Reports made by a standing committee or a committee especially constituted in its stead shall be read, as far as possible, at the same time in both houses for the purpose of deciding on the matter. After the first reading of the report it shall lie on the table. At the next reading whether debate then takes place or not, it shall again lie on the table, provided the house does not otherwise decide on the basis of a request of the proper committee. When the matter comes up for the third time it must be taken up for decision.

Preliminary requests and inquiries from a committee may be decided immediately unless a member of the house requests that they be tabled.

Art. 60.

1. No matter which has been subject to debate may be taken up for final decision until the house, on the Speaker's proposal, has declared the debate concluded.

2. Except in those cases mentioned in Section 3 the question shall then be put in the manner prescribed below in this Section.

If the question is of such a character that it can be assented to or rejected, the Speaker's first question shall relate to the affirmative alternative. If that is answered by "no," and amendments have been offered in the matter during the debate, the next question shall be put in accordance with them. If a proposal is composed of several parts, which can not appropriately be decided upon in one and the same connection, a separate question relating to each part shall be put in the order just prescribed.

A question shall always be answered only by "yes" or "no," and the Speaker shall make known his finding of the answer which was given, which shall stand unless a division is requested. In such a case a division shall not be denied. Whether a division is taken or not each member shall be entitled to have his individual opinion recorded in the minutes. No member may try to rescind a decision by opening a fresh debate.

When a division shall be taken the proposal and a succinct counterproposal which are to be voted upon shall be drawn up, approved and read without delay, and the vote taken immediately thereafter; but no question may be put and no vote be taken on a request for a division. The division shall be taken openly. If the votes are evenly divided, the Speaker shall place in a special voting urn one "yes" and one "no" ballot, both exactly alike in size and appearance, printed and unmarked and each one closed and rolled up, and the result of the division is decided by the ballot which one of the members of the house draws from the urn at the request of the Speaker.

3. A question on matters referred to in the first clause of Article 110 in The Instrument of Government or Article 32, Section 2, or the last paragraph of Article 52 of this Riksdag Act, shall always be decided by a division. In such cases the provisions in the preceding Section concerning the proposal and the counter-proposal to be voted upon shall be adhered to; provided that approved proposals shall be posted and the vote taken immediately thereafter. Such a division shall always be taken with printed and unmarked ballots, separate, closed and rolled up, and in order to avoid an equal number of votes for "yes" and "no," in matters where only a simple majority is necessary, the Speaker at each division before the counting of the ballots shall take out one of them and immediately lay it aside sealed. If at the counting of the other ballots the votes are evenly divided, the sealed ballot shall be opened and determine the decision. If majority has already been obtained the ballot laid aside shall be destroyed immediately without being opened.

Art. 61.

The Speaker may not refuse to put the question, except when he finds the question raised in violation of the wording of the fundamental laws; and in such cases he shall always state the reasons for his refusal. If the house nevertheless demands that the question be put, the Speaker shall have the right to declare the deliberations temporarily closed, and the matter is then referred to the Committee on the Constitution, upon which it is incumbent without delay to submit a reasoned and definitive opinion as to whether the question is in violation of or in conformity with the fundamental laws. The Speaker can not refuse to put the question on any matter the Committee declares is not in violation of the fundamental laws.

Art. 62.

Decisions of a house which do not concern that house only shall be communicated to the other house by extracts from the minutes. If the matter has been considered by a standing committee or a committee especially constituted in its stead, the committee shall also be informed of the decision in the identical manner. Should a member who did not concur in the decision of the house wish to communicate his dissenting opinion to the other house he may do so; in such a case he shall deliver his dissenting opinion in written form to the minutes, after which it is communicated to the other house by extract from the minutes; but this may not in any case delay the dispatch of the decision.

Art. 63.

When a question on which a committee has reported comes up for decision the house may either immediately assent to the report, or make its decision without respect to what the committee has proposed, or recommit the matter if it is considered to require further investigation.

If the houses reach decisions on a matter which in the main or in certain respects are not identical, and if the matter is one on which a standing com mittee or a committee especially constituted in its stead has reported, then the committee shall try to reconcile the different opinions, provided that that is possible, and present a proposal on the matter to the houses.

What the houses jointly decide shall be the decision of the Riksdag. If the houses, having followed the procedure prescribed above, are not in agreement on the decision, the matter shall be considered dropped for that session, except in those cases which are mentioned in Article 65.

Art. 64.

A proposal to enact, amend, interpret or repeal a fundamental law can be rejected by the Riksdag at which the proposal was presented, but it can not be finally adopted or assented to at that Riksdag as more than a proposal which shall be pending, to be considered again by the first Riksdag meeting after the next general election to the Lower House. If the proposal is then accepted by both houses it shall constitute the decision of the Riksdag. The houses shall not have the right to make changes in a pending proposal. The decision on such a proposal may not be postponed to any other Riksdag than that mentioned above, unless the King and both houses jointly agree.

Art. 65.

When, in matters concerning State expenditure or taxation, or regulations for the Bank of Sweden, or the income and expenditure of the Bank, or discharge from responsibility for the Commissioners of the Bank of Sweden, or the management and administration of the National Debt Office, or the income and expenditure of the Office, the houses reach different decisions, which are not reconciled on the proposal of the competent committee, both houses shall vote separately on the different decisions reached by each of them. The opinion then receiving a majority of the aggregate number of votes of both houses shall constitute the decision of the Riksdag. If the aggregate number of votes is found to be evenly divided, the Speaker of the Lower House shall deposit in a special voting urn a "yes" and a "no" ballot, both exactly alike in size and appearance, printed and unmarked and each one closed and rolled up, and the result of the voting is decided by the ballot which one of the members of the Lower House draws from the urn at the request of the Speaker.

Art. 66.

When election of a King or heir apparent is to take place a delegation shall be constituted, consisting of sixty-four persons, of which each house shall select thirty-two from among its members, with the duty of performing the election in case of a disagreement between the houses. The day after the selection of the delegation the houses shall proceed to the election of a King or heir apparent. If the houses are agreed on one and the same person he is to be regarded as chosen. In other cases the delegation shall decide. No other persons may be voted upon by the delegation, however, than those who received the greatest number of votes in each house. Neither house may present more than one candidate. The members of the delegation who shall not, by reason of this commission, be excluded from their rights as Riksdagmen in the houses, shall convene the day after the election has taken place in the houses, and shall not adjourn until the election procedure is completed. The one of the two persons voted upon receiving the greatest number of votes in the delegation is duly elected. In the event mentioned in Article 94 of The Instrument of Government the delegation shall be selected within ten days of the day which is designated in the summons to the Riksdag as the date for the meeting of the Riksdag.

Art. 67.

If regents are to be appointed for a King who is under age a delegation shall be selected by the houses, not later than the day after the Riksdag has convened, in the manner and comprising the number of persons determined by the preceding Article. This delegation shall vote for regents, the number of which shall be one, three or five, as determined by the Riksdag. Each member of the delegation shall record by secret ballot a number of persons whom he considers worthy of this confidence, which shall exceed by one the number decided upon by the Riksdag. Of those who are named, the person receiving the greatest number of votes shall then be subject to new voting, the majority of the delegation determining the outcome. In the same manner the delegation proceeds with the person who next has been named by the greatest number of delegation members, etc., until the designated number of regents has been filled. The delegation may not adjourn before the election is completed, and this election constitutes the decision of the Riksdag.

If it should happen that the houses do not agree on the number of regents within three days of the assembling of the Riksdag, a special delegation shall be appointed in the manner, and comprising the number of persons prescribed concerning the delegation referred to in the previous paragraph, to decide the question within two days by voting, with the same force and effect as a decision of the Riksdag. The delegation selected shall thereafter, likewise within two days, elect the regents, so that in all events the election of the regents shall be executed within the course of seven days from the day the Riksdag convened.

Art. 68.

In accordance with Article 96 of the Instrument of Government the Riksdag shall appoint a Procurator of Civil Affairs and a Procurator of Military Affairs of the qualifications stated in that Article. These procurators of the Riksdag shall be elected to serve from the election until such an election four years thence has again taken place.

The Procurator of Civil Affairs and the Procurator of Military Affairs shall be elected by forty-eight electors named for that purpose, of which each house selects twenty-four from among its members. These electors shall meet for the election not later than ten days after the one on which they were selected. The rules applicable to the election of the Speakers of the houses shall also govern this election.

On the occasion when a procurator is elected the electors shall also, in the identical manner, elect a deputy for him. The deputy shall be elected to serve until a new election for the procurator takes place.

In the event that the Procurator of Civil Affairs or the Procurator of Military Affairs resigns from his position of confidence or the office of procurator otherwise becomes vacant, the deputy shall take over the office immediately; and the Riksdag thereafter shall provide for the election of a new procurator as soon as possible for the time and in the manner prescribed above. If the deputy resigns from his position of confidence, or if he has taken over the office of procurator, or his position otherwise becomes vacant, the election of a new deputy shall take place for the time and in the manner prescribed above; provided that if such an election is necessary during the time when the Riksdag is not in session, the rights of the Riksdag in this matter shall be exercised by those Commissioners of the Bank of Sweden who are selected by the Riksdag and the Commissioners of the National Debt Office.

Art. 69.

The Riksdag shall every fourth year select a delegation of forty-eight persons of which each house shall choose twenty-four from among its members, and which delegation in the manner prescribed in Articles 103 and 104 of The Instrument of Government has the duty to decide whether all members of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court deserve to be retained in their important office, or if without any of them having demonstrably committed the offenses or crimes referred to in Article 102 of The Instrument of Government it might yet be deemed that they ought to be deprived of their offices. This delegation shall meet the same day it is elected.

The members of the delegation, each separately, shall first vote on the question: Shall a vote be taken to exclude any member of the Supreme Court? If this question is answered unanimously, or by the majority of votes, with "no," all of the members of the Supreme Court shall be retained. If it is answered, on the other hand, with "yes," each member of the delegation shall compile a closed list of these members of the Supreme Court, many or few, who in his opinion should be dismissed. Of those listed, the three against whom the largest number of votes was cast shall then, one after the other, be subject to new voting; provided that a two-thirds majority of the votes shall be required for a member to be considered excluded from the confidence of the Riksdag; and thereafter what is further prescribed in Article 103 of The Instrument of Government shall be followed.

In the identical manner voting shall take place concerning the members of the Supreme Administrative Court.

Art. 70.

1. The six Commissioners of the Bank of Sweden, who shall be appointed by the Riksdag according to Article 72 of The Instrument of Government, shall be elected to serve from the election until such an election three years thence has again taken place. Two of the Commissioners appointed by the Riksdag shall retire every year. If a Commissioner appointed by the Riksdag retires before the end of his term of office, or if he is refused discharge from responsibility, a new election shall take place for the time which remains of his term of office.

2. The Riksdag shall also elect Commissioners who shall administer, according to special regulations, the funds and property of the National Debt Office. These Commissioners shall be seven in number and shall be elected to serve from the election until such an election three years thence has again taken place. The chairman of the Commissioners shall be elected separately. Of the other six Commissioners two shall retire annually. If a Commissioner retires before the end of his term of office, or if he is refused discharge from responsibility, a new election shall take place for the time which remains of his term. When election of a chairman takes place, he shall be elected before the other Commissioners are elected.

3. The Commissioners of the Bank of Sweden and the National Debt Office shall be elected by forty-eight electors, of which each house shall select twenty-four from among its own members. The election shall take place by secret ballot. Election for longer terms of office shall take place before election for shorter terms. Retiring Commissioners may be reelected.

4. The Commissioners shall select a vice-chairman from among their own members. The Commissioner presiding shall possess the casting vote when in questions which come up for voting among the Commissioners, the votes are evenly divided on two divergent opinions.

Art. 71.

At the same time as the Commissioners are appointed according to Article 70 and in a similar manner, a substitute for each Commissioner appointed by the Riksdag shall be appointed to take his place in case of unavoidable absence, provided that the substitute thus selected for the Commissioner appointed to be head of the Bank of Sweden shall act for that Commissioner only in cases when the substitute appointed for the head of the Bank of Sweden by the Commissioners in accordance with Article 72 of The Instrument of Government is also unavoidably absent. If a Commissioner and his substitute elected by the Riksdag are both absent the Commissioners shall call in another substitute.

Art. 72.

The Riksdag annually within six days of its opening shall appoint auditors, twelve in number, six of whom shall be elected by each house, to inspect the government, management and condition of the administration, the Bank of Sweden and the National Debt Office in accordance with The Instrument of Government and special instructions. The auditors shall exercise their duties until new elections of auditors are held.

The auditors shall elect from among themselves a chairman who shall have the casting vote when in voting the votes are evenly divided on any matter. The critical remarks, which the auditors consider themselves justified to make, shall, after explanations have been given thereto, be delivered to the proper committee for inspection and further consideration.

Art. 73.

For each auditor elected according to Article 72 a substitute shall be elected to act in his place in case of unavoidable absence. If both the auditor and his substitute are unavoidably absent, another substitute is to be called in according to the order in which the substitutes were elected.

Art. 74.

The electors and delegations of the Riksdag, with the exception of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs, select their chairmen from among their own members.

Art. 75.

1. If a common list is presented at an election which shall take place in a house, and the list contains the names of as many persons as shall be elected, and if the list has been approved by those members of the house elected by it to the Speakers' Conference, the Speaker shall put the question to approve the list, and declare the listed persons elected, unless election by secret ballot is requested by at least as many members as corresponds to the number which is obtained if the number of all the members entitled to vote is divided by the number of the persons to be elected, increased by one. If such a request is made the election shall take place by secret ballot at a later meeting.

All elections, except the election of the members of the house to the Speakers' Conference, shall be proportional, if two or more persons are to be selected. Further provisions concerning the elections are given in The Riksdag Regulations mentioned in Article 78.

2. Elections which are held by the committees, delegations and electors of the Riksdag shall be held by secret ballot when that is requested by a member or by an elector; and it shall be observed in such cases that to be valid the ballots shall be separate, rolled up, unmarked and free from all ambiguities relative to the names of persons listed as well as from incorrectness relative to their number. When persons receive an equal number of votes the decision shall be made by lot if necessary.

If special provisions are contained in the fundamental laws concerning an election referred to in this Section the provisions of the preceding paragraph shall not apply.

Art. 76.

A decision may not be changed at the approval of the minutes, but such amendments may be made as do not cause any change in the decision. A statement by a member, and also the debate to which it may have given rise, may be excluded from the minutes at their approval with the consent of the house and the concordance of the member; provided that no utterances may be excluded on which the decision is clearly based.

Art. 77.

A Riksdagman who is absent when a decision is made by the house of which he is a member, shall have the right to have recorded in the minutes that he did not take part in that decision, but he shall not be allowed to comment on the decisions of those who were present.

Art. 78.

The Riksdag shall prescribe rules and regulations for the transaction of business in the Riksdag, for the preservation of order in its houses and committees and for the elections to be held within the Riksdag, and shall also adopt such other provisions as are considered necessary for the observance of the fundamental laws (The Riksdag Regulations). Each house may also establish regulations on matters which concern that house only (Standing Orders). Nothing may be introduced into these provisions which is in violation of fundamental or other general laws.

Communication of the Decisions of the Riksdag.

Art. 79.

The requests which the Riksdag decides to submit to the King, and also the replies to the proposals presented to the Riksdag by the King, shall be delivered by written message to the King.

Art. 80.

In matters which have been considered by a standing committee or a committee especially constituted in its stead the messages emanating from the Riksdag shall be drafted and issued by the secretariat of the committee which prepared the matter.

Other messages common to both houses shall be drafted and issued by a special Secretariat of the Riksdag under the supervision of two members of the Upper House and two members of the Lower House, these members to be selected from among the members of the respective houses (Supervisory Committee of the Secretariat).

No message concerning a decision of the Riksdag shall be dispatched before it has been approved by the houses. Messages emanating from the Riksdag shall be signed by the Speakers.

Art. 81.

The general laws and statutes upon which the King and the Riksdag jointly decide shall be issued only in the King's name and with his signature.

Art. 82.

The minutes kept in the houses and other documents of the Riksdag shall be published as soon as possible at the expense of the State, the minutes to be published to the extent prescribed by each house, and the other documents in full.

In witness whereof we have put our names and our seal to attest, confirm and endorse the same in Stockholm on the twenty-second day of June, in the year of our Lord 1866.