Sweden 1974 Constitution (reviewed 2012) - Page 32 of 36

Table of Contents

Chapter 6. Interpellations and questions to ministers

Part 1. Interpellations

Article 1

An interpellation shall deal with a specific subject, and shall include a statement of motivation. The Speaker determines whether an interpellation may be introduced. If the Speaker considers that an interpellation conflicts with fundamental law or with this Act, he or she shall refuse to allow the interpellation to be introduced, stating the reasons for the decision. If the Chamber requests nevertheless that the interpellation be introduced, the Speaker shall refer the matter to the Committee on the Constitution for decision. The Speaker may not refuse to allow the interpellation if the Committee has declared that it does not conflict with fundamental law or with this Act.

An interpellation is answered by a minister within two weeks from its referral to the minister. If a break occurs in the work of the Chamber during the two-week period, the period is extended accordingly.

If no reply is given within the period indicated in paragraph two, the minister shall inform the Riksdag why no reply will be given or why a reply is being held over. A statement of this nature shall not give rise to a debate.

An interpellation lapses if no reply is given during the parliamentary session at which it was introduced.

Supplementary provision 6.1.1

An interpellation is delivered to the Secretariat of the Chamber. The Speaker notifies a meeting of the Chamber without delay of his or her decision whether or not to allow the interpellation to be introduced. If the Speaker allows the interpellation to be introduced, he or she forwards it to the minister without delay.

After conferring with the special representatives of the party groups, the Speaker determines the latest date in a parliamentary session on which interpellations may be delivered to the Secretariat of the Chamber for a reply, prior to a break of more than one month in the work of the Chamber.

The interpellation shall be entered in the record of Riksdag proceedings.

Supplementary provision 6.1.2

The Speaker determines the meeting at which a reply will be delivered, after conferring with the minister and the interpellant. Notice of this date shall be given without delay in the manner determined by the Speaker, and shall be entered in the order paper.

The reply to an interpellation may be distributed to members in advance.

Supplementary provision 6.1.3

When a minister replies to an interpellation, his or her reply shall be delivered in the form of an oral statement of no more than six minutes’ duration. The minister shall be entitled to make three more interventions, of which the first two shall be of no more than four minutes’ duration each, and the third of no more than two minutes’ duration.

The interpellant shall be entitled to make no more than three interventions, of which the first two shall be of no more than four minutes’ duration each, and the third of no more than two minutes’ duration.

Other speakers shall be entitled to make no more than two interventions, of which the first shall be of no more than four minutes’ duration, and the second of no more than two minutes’ duration.

Part 2. Questions

Article 2

A question may be oral or written. It shall deal with a specific subject.

Part 3. Oral questions

Article 3

An oral question is put forward at a special Question Time arranged in the Chamber. It receives an immediate reply from a minister.

The Speaker determines who shall have the floor at Question Time. The Speaker may decide to limit interventions to no more than one minute.

Supplementary provision 6.3.1

Question Time is held every Thursday in weeks in which the Chamber meets for purposes other than the tabling of business.

Should the work situation in the Riksdag so require, the Speaker may determine that Question Time shall be held in a particular week on some day other than Thursday or that it shall be cancelled.

The Government Offices shall inform the Secretariat of the Chamber no later than Friday of the preceding week which ministers will be in attendance at Question Time. Notice to this effect shall be given without delay in the manner determined by the Speaker.

Part 4. Written questions

Article 4

A written question may include a brief introductory explanation. The Speaker determines whether a written question may be introduced. If the Speaker considers that a written question conflicts with fundamental law or with this Act, he or she shall refuse to allow the question to be introduced, stating the reasons for the decision. If the Chamber requests nevertheless that the question be introduced, the Speaker shall refer the matter to the Committee on the Constitution for decision. The Speaker may not refuse to allow the question if the Committee has declared that it does not conflict with fundamental law or with this Act.

A written question receives a written reply from a minister.

Supplementary provision 6.4.1

A written question is delivered to the Secretariat of the Chamber. The Speaker notifies a meeting of the Chamber without delay of his or her decision whether or not to allow the question to be introduced. If the Speaker allows the question to be introduced, he or she forwards it to the minister without delay.

The written reply is delivered to the Secretariat of the Chamber, which forwards it to the member who submitted the question.

Written questions delivered during the week no later than 10 a.m. on Friday receive a reply no later than 12 noon on the following Wednesday.

The Speaker may determine, during a break of more than one month in the work of the Chamber, that replies shall be given within fourteen days from the date on which the questions were submitted. The Speaker makes his or her decision after conferring with the special representatives of the party groups. If no reply is given within this period, the minister shall inform the Secretariat of the Chamber of when the question will receive a reply or that no reply will be given.