COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2024 Rule of Law Report Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2024 Rule of Law Report The rule of law situation in the European Union
Date: 2024-07-24
Institutions: European Commission, Secretariat-General
Subjects: Sweden, administrative transparency, corruption, democracy, freedom of the press, independence of the judiciary, infringement of EU law, pluralism in the media, rule of law, whistleblowing

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 24.7.2024  SWD(2024) 827 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT 2024 Rule of Law Report           Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden Accompanying the document COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT, THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE AND THE COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS 2024 Rule of Law Report                        The rule of law situation in the European Union {COM(2024) 800 final} - {SWD(2024) 801 final} - {SWD(2024) 802 final} - {SWD(2024) 803 final} - {SWD(2024) 804 final} - {SWD(2024) 805 final} - {SWD(2024) 806 final} - {SWD(2024) 807 final} - {SWD(2024) 808 final} - {SWD(2024) 809 final} - {SWD(2024) 810 final} - {SWD(2024) 811 final} - {SWD(2024) 812 final} - {SWD(2024) 813 final} - {SWD(2024) 814 final} - {SWD(2024) 815 final} - {SWD(2024) 816 final} - {SWD(2024) 817 final} - {SWD(2024) 818 final} - {SWD(2024) 819 final} - {SWD(2024) 820 final} - {SWD(2024) 821 final} - {SWD(2024) 822 final} - {SWD(2024) 823 final} - {SWD(2024) 824 final} - {SWD(2024) 825 final} - {SWD(2024) 826 final} - {SWD(2024) 828 final} - {SWD(2024) 829 final} - {SWD(2024) 830 final} - {SWD(2024) 831 final}  
 
 
ABSTRACT 

The  level  of  perceived  judicial  independence  in  Sweden  is  very  high  among  the  general 
public  and  high  among  companies.  The  Government  is  reflecting  on  the  follow-up  to 
proposals  of  a  committee  of  inquiry  to  strengthen  judicial  independence,  including  on 
establishing a more independent court administration agency and has tasked an inquiry with 
the follow-up on strengthening the independence of the Judges Proposal Board and setting up 
a Disciplinary Board. While initial steps have been taken in relation to the independence of 
lay judges, there have been no measures yet as regards their nomination system. The courts 
were  granted  increased  financial  resources  for  the  period  2023-2026,  in  view  of  increased 
challenges  in  tackling  organised  crime.  A  survey  on  the  working  conditions  of  Swedish 
judges  highlights  issues  in  attracting  and  retaining  staff.  The  justice  system  continues  to 
perform efficiently. 

The  perception  among  experts  and  business  executives  is  that  Sweden  is  one  of  the  least 
corrupt  countries  in  the  world.  Work  on  the  first  National  Anti-Corruption  plan  was 
concluded,  and  the  Government  adopted  a  new,  more  extensive  plan  in  July  2024.  The 
Government also adopted a strategy on organised crime with anti-corruption elements and set 
up a committee of inquiry to review criminal law legislation in relation to corruption. While, 
as part of this review, the legal definitions of foreign bribery are being analysed, there is no 
improvement in the prosecution of foreign bribery cases. Addressing corruption risks related 
to infiltration by organised crime groups into the public service is an increasing priority for 
the  authorities.  Some  gaps  in  ethics  guidance  for  top-level  officials  remain,  while  ethical 
guidelines  for  all  civil  servants  have  not  been  updated  yet.  Some  shortcomings  exist  in  the 
asset disclosure requirements for ministers, as they do not include significant liabilities. An 
all-party committee of inquiry is discussing rules on lobbying and gaps in the political party 
financing  framework.  The  evaluation  of  the  rules  on  revolving  doors  was  completed, 
recommending  some  legislative  changes.  Areas  at  high  risk  of  corruption  include  the  local 
government level and public procurement, as confirmed by a recent national survey. 

The  restructured  national  regulatory  authority,  the  Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media,  has 
received  new  tasks.  The  Government  is  examining  possible  rules  on  satellite  broadcasting. 
The political independence of public service media has been strengthened and further efforts 
in this field are still being envisaged by the Government. Legislation on access to documents 
guarantees  wide  availability  of  information.  An  inquiry  is  looking  into  the  review  of  the 
current  constitutional  protection  of  private  sector  search  services.  Swedish  journalists 
continue to work mainly in favourable conditions.  

The Government  is  examining  the follow up to an all-party committee report on a possible 
amendment  of  the  Constitution  to  deal  with  serious  peacetime  crises.  The  Government’s 
handling of the legislative process  has  undergone parliamentary review as stakeholders  and 
constitutional  review  bodies  express  concerns  about  the  acceleration  of  the  legislative 
preparatory  work.  The  National  Human  Rights  Institution  has  a  secured  funding  for  its 
activities  and  continues  working  towards  an  A-status  accreditation.  The  civil  society  space 
remains open, though a combination of funding cuts and faster pace of consultations impacts 
some segments of civil  society.  Further steps were taken as regards the ongoing  reforms  to 
the legal framework for the funding and operation of civil society organisations, notably with 
a new proposal on the so-called ‘democracy condition’ 

1 

 
 
RECOMMENDATIONS 

Overall,  concerning  the  recommendations  in  the  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Sweden  has 
made: 

•  No  progress  on  ensuring  that  the  nomination  system  of  lay  judges  safeguards  their 

independence, taking into account European standards on judicial independence. 

•  Fully implemented the evaluation  on the scope, impact  and implementation  of the rules 

relating to revolving doors that cover top executive functions in the Government.  

•  Some  progress  on  strengthening  the  fight  against  foreign  bribery  by  amending  the 
existing legal definitions to improve on the prosecution of, and final judgments in foreign 
bribery cases.  

•  Some  further  progress  on  continuing  efforts  to  ensure  that  the  on-going  reforms  to  the 
legal  framework  for  the  funding  and  operation  of  civil  society  organisations  do  not 
unduly affect civil society engagement.  

On this basis, and considering other developments that took place in the period of reference, 
it is recommended to Sweden to: 

•  Ensure  that  the  nomination  system  of  lay  judges  safeguards  their  independence,  taking 

into account European standards on judicial independence. 

•  Ensure the appropriate follow-up to the evaluation of the rules on revolving doors.  
•  Strengthen the fight against foreign bribery, by amending the existing legal definitions to 

improve on the prosecution of, and final judgments in foreign bribery cases. 

•  Continue  efforts  to  ensure  that  the  reforms  to  the  legal  framework  for  the  funding  and 
operation of civil society organisations do not unduly affect civil society engagement. 

2 

 
 
 
 
I. 

JUSTICE SYSTEM  

The  Swedish  justice  system  has  two  branches:  the  general  courts,  consisting  of  48  district 
courts,  six  courts  of  appeal  and  the  Supreme  Court;  and  the  administrative  courts  with  12 
administrative  courts,  four  administrative  courts  of  appeal  and  the  Supreme  Administrative 
Court.  There  are  also  two  special  courts1.  The  National  Courts  Administration,  an  agency 
operating  under  the  Ministry  of  Justice,  is  responsible  for  the  overall  management  of  the 
Courts,  including  allocation  of  resources,  staffing  levels  and  equipment.  The  independent 
Judges’  Proposal  Board2  prepares  proposals  for  all  judicial  appointments3,  based  on  which 
judges are appointed by the Government4. The Swedish Prosecution Service5 is independent 
and  separate  from  the  Government.  In  July  2024,  Sweden  joined  the  European  Public 
Prosecutor’s  Office  (EPPO)6.  The  Swedish  Bar  Association  is  an  independent  and  self-
governing  association  established  by  law  and  is  responsible  for  supervision  of  the 
professional activities of advocates and taking disciplinary measures against its members7.  

Independence  

The level of perceived judicial independence in Sweden is very high among the general 
public  and  high  among  companies.  Overall,  78%  of  the  general  population  and  75%  of 
companies perceive the level of independence of courts and judges to be ‘fairly or very good’ 
in  20248.  Nevertheless,  the  perceived  judicial  independence  among  the  general  public  has 
increased  in  comparison  with  2023  (75%),  although  it  remains  lower  in  comparison  with 
2020  (81%).  The  perceived  judicial  independence  among  companies  has  increased  in 
comparison with 2023 (70%), although it remains lower in comparison with 2020 (80%). 

1   The Labour Court and the Defence Intelligence Court. Input from Sweden for the 2021 Rule of Law Report. 
For a description of the judicial structure, see CEPEJ (2021), Study on the functioning of judicial systems in 
the EU Member States. Sweden does not have a constitutional court. 

2   The Judges’ Proposal Board is composed of nine members: five current or former judges proposed by the 
courts, two law graduates working outside the court system (one lawyer proposed by the Bar Association, 
the other proposed by the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions and the Swedish Agency 
for Government Employers) and two representatives of the public. The members of the public are appointed 
by Parliament (and are usually members of Parliament), while the seven other members are appointed by the 
Government.  

3   The Judges’ Proposal Board, following an assessment of the applicants’ qualifications, submits a motivated 
proposal  (ranked  list,  in  general  three  candidates)  to  the  Government,  which  appoints  the  judge.  If  the 
Government  intends  to  select  a  candidate  not  included  in  the  proposal  of  the  Judges’  Proposal  Board,  the 
Board  is  to  have  an  opportunity  to  submit  an  opinion  on  the  candidate.  In  practice,  since  2011,  when  the 
current system came into force, the Government has always followed the proposal.  

4   Act on the Appointment of Permanent Judges (2010:1390).  
5   Instrument of Government, Chapter 12, Section 2. 
6   On 29 May, Parliament adopted the Government's proposal for a new law on the EPPO and other legislative 
amendments required for Swedish participation in EPPO. The Government foresees that EPPO will start its 
activities in Sweden before the end of 2024. Input from Sweden for the 2023 Rule of Law Report, p. 2 and 
Swedish  Government  (2024)  A  decisive  step  towards  Swedish  participation  in  EPPO.  On  16  July,  the 
Commission adopted the decision confirming Sweden's participation in EPPO.  

7   Code of Judicial Procedure, Chapter 8. 
8   Figures 51 and 53, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard and Figures 50 and 52, 2022 EU Justice  Scoreboard. The 
level  of  perceived  judicial  independence  is  categorised  as  follows:  very  low  (below  30%  of  respondents 
perceive judicial independence as fairly good and very good); low (between 30-39%), average (between 40-
59%), high (between 60-75%), very high (above 75%). 

3 

 
 
The  Government  is  reflecting  on  the  follow-up  to  a  proposal  to  establish  a  more 
independent court administration agency. As noted in the 2023 Rule of Law Report9, on 
17  March  2023,  an  all-party  'Committee  of  Inquiry  on  strengthening  the  protection  of 
democracy and the independence of the judiciary’ recommended the setting up of a new court 
administration agency that would be more independent from the Government compared to the 
current  National  Courts  Administration,  notably  by  being  headed  by  a  Board  that  would 
appoint  the  agency’s  director10.  While  most  stakeholders  have  welcomed  the  thrust  of  the 
proposal towards greater independence of the court administration agency, some have called 
for  its  full  independence  from  the  Government11.  The  Committee  of  Inquiry’s  proposal 
envisages  that  the  Board  of  the  new  agency  would  be  composed  of  nine  members,  five  of 
whom  would  be  current  or  former  permanent  judges12  from  various  levels  of  the  Swedish 
courts13. The representatives of the judiciary on the Board (member and a deputy) would be 
appointed  by  the  Government14  based  on  a  proposal  from  the  judiciary;  the  Government 

9   See 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 4. 
10   The new agency would have overall the same assignments as the National Courts Administration. The Board 
would  appoint  the  Director  of  the  new  agency  instead  of  the  Government  as  is  presently  the  case  for  the 
National Courts Administration. A decision to remove the Director from office would be made by the Board. 
The 2020 Committee of Inquiry on the Constitution (2023), Strengthening the protection of democracy and 
independence of the judiciary, p. 49. 

11   The Swedish Judges Association welcomed the proposal for a more autonomous justice administration body, 
but  argued  for  a  constitutionally  independent  Council  of  the  Judiciary.  The  Bar Association  considered  a 
Council for the Judiciary independent from the Government and the Parliament as essential. The National 
Courts  Administration  agreed  that  the  new  agency  should  be  more  independent,  yet  remain  under  the 
Government’s authority. Swedish Government (2023) The public consultation on the report ‘Strengthening 
the protection of democracy and independence of the judiciary’.  

12   In accordance with European standards for Councils for the Judiciary, not less than half the members of such 
councils should be judges chosen by their peers from all levels of the judiciary and with respect for pluralism 
inside  the  judiciary;  Recommendation  CM/Rec(2010)12  of  the  Committee  of  Ministers  of  the  Council  of 
Europe,  paragraph  27.  To  be  noted  that  the  European  Networks  of  Councils  for  the  Judiciary  would  not 
consider former permanent judges as representatives of the judiciary within a judicial council. Allowing for 
members who have been judges is presently used for the Judges Proposal Board and appears to reflect the 
preference  to  appoint  experienced  former  judges  or  to  allow  retired  judges  to  continue  in  their  role. 
Information  received  from  the  Ministry  of  Justice  and  the  Judges  Association  in  the  framework  of  the 
country  visit.  With  regard  to  former  judge  members,  see  also  the  subsequent  paragraph  on  the  Judges 
Proposal Board and the Disciplinary Board. Written contribution received from the European Networks of 
Councils for the Judiciary in the framework of the country visit to Sweden.  

13   An identical wording namely, that members must be, or must have been, judges is presently in the regulation 
governing  the  composition  of  the  Judicial  Proposal  Board  (see  also  footnote  2  above).  According  to  the 
Government,  the  legislative  history  for  this  provision  mentions,  among  other,  the  need  for  the  Board 
members  to  have  knowledge of  the  judge’s  role  and  that  profession’s  requirements. This  may  be  down  to 
practical  reasons,  such  as  a  judge  member  changing  employment  or  retiring  during  their  term  of  office, 
which  should  not  prevent  them  from  continuing  as  a  member  of  the  Judges  Proposal  Board.  Written 
contribution received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Sweden.  

14   The Government would receive nominations for the members and deputies representing the relevant bodies 
from: i) the presidents of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative Court, ii) the presidents of the 
courts of appeal,  iii) the presidents of the  administrative courts of appeal,  iv) the presidents of the district 
courts, v) the presidents of the administrative courts, vi) the Swedish Bar Association, and vii) the Swedish 
Agency  for  Government  Employers.  The  2020  Committee  of  Inquiry  on  the  Constitution  (2023), 
Strengthening  the  protection  of  democracy  and  independence  of  the  judiciary,  pp.  349  and  388-389.  The 
Swedish  Judges  Association  considers  that  the  proposed  composition  and  the  nomination  procedure  lack 
predictability and underlined that all types of judges should be involved in the management of the courts (i.e. 
court  managers,  other  permanent  judges  or  judges  in  training).  Swedish  Government  (2023)  The  public 
consultation on the report ‘Strengthening the protection of democracy and independence of the judiciary’. 

4 

 
 
would only be able to appoint a person proposed for the role of member or a deputy15. The 
Government  is  assessing  the  proposals  of  the  Committee  of  Inquiry  and  the  stakeholder 
replies from the public consultation. It aims to adopt a proposal based on the report no later 
than November 202516.  

The Government tasked an inquiry with the follow-up to proposals on strengthening the 
independence  of  the  Judges  Proposal  Board  and  to  establish  a  Disciplinary  Board.  As 
noted  in  the  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report17,  the  comprehensive  report  delivered  by  the 
‘Committee of Inquiry on strengthening the protection of democracy and the independence of 
the  judiciary’  on  17  March  2023  also  included  proposals  on  adjustments  in  the  system  of 
appointment of judges18. At present, all permanent judges are appointed by the Government, 
upon a recommendation by the Judges Proposals Board for an indefinite period of time. The 
Government is not bound by the Board’s proposal but cannot appoint a person who has not 
first been heard by the Board19. The Committee of Inquiry20 proposed that the Government 
should only appoint a person proposed by the Judges Proposals Board as a judge, while not 
being bound by the Board’s ranking21. While the proposal would strengthen the independence 
of the judiciary in the  appointment procedure22, stakeholders have emphasised the need for 
the  Government  to  provide  reasons  when  departing  from  the  Judges  Proposal  Board’s 
ranking23.  Furthermore, the Committee of  Inquiry  proposed that the disciplinary system  for 
judges should not be linked to the executive and that instead, a Disciplinary Board for Judges 

15   A  specific  nomination  procedure  should  ensure  that  the  courts  have  a  significant  influence  over  the 
composition of the Board. A Board member or deputy on the Board could not simultaneously be a member 
of  the  Parliament,  a  Government  minister,  employed  by  the  Parliament,  employed  in  the  Government 
Offices,  employed  at  central  level  in  a  political  party  or  hold  another  post  or  mandate  rendering  them 
ineligible.  A  decision  to  remove  a  Board  member  (other  than  at  own  request)  would  be  taken  by  the 
Parliament.  The  2020  Committee  of  Inquiry  on  the  Constitution  (2023),  Strengthening  the  protection  of 
democracy and independence of the judiciary, pp. 47-50, 331-336 and 341-345. 

16   Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the framework of the country visit to Sweden. 
17   See 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 4. 
18   The Committee proposed targeted changes to the current system of appointing judges, by providing in the 
Constitution  that  judges  are  appointed  by  the  Government  following  the  proposal  of  a  specific  body,  a 
majority of whose members must be or have been judges. A provision would be inserted in the Constitution 
on the conditions under which a member or deputy member of  the proposing body may be removed from 
office. Furthermore, the Government should only appoint a person proposed by the Judges Proposals Board 
as  a  judge.  If  the  appointment  proposal  were  to  include  a  ranking  with  more  than  one  candidate,  the 
Government would not be bound by the ranking. The 2020 Committee of Inquiry on the Constitution (2023), 
Strengthening the protection of democracy and independence of the judiciary, pp. 50-51.  

19   If the Government intends to appoint a person not proposed by the Board,  it has to refer the matter back to 

the Board. Input from Sweden for the 2020 Rule of Law Report, p. 4. 

20   The 2020 Committee of Inquiry on the Constitution (2023), Strengthening the protection of democracy and 

independence of the judiciary, pp. 50-51. 

21   In accordance with European standards, an independent and competent authority drawn in substantial part 
from  the  judiciary  should  be authorised  to  make  recommendations  or  express  opinions which  the  relevant 
appointing authority follows in practice. Recommendation CM/Rec(2010)12 of the Committee of Ministers 
of the Council of Europe, paragraph 47. 

22   In comparative terms, the appointment system for judges in Sweden is presently among those exhibiting the 
highest level of discretion for the executive or legislative branch. See EU Justice Scoreboard 2018, figure 62. 
23   Public  consultation  replies  by  the  Swedish  Bar Association,  the  Swedish  Institute  for  Human  Rights,  and 
Civil Rights Defenders. Swedish Government (2023) The public consultation on the report Strengthening the 
protection of democracy and independence of the judiciary. 

5 

 
 
should  be  established  and  constitutionally  protected24.  Similarly,  the  Committee  proposed 
that the Chancellor of Justice, who acts as the Government’s Ombudsman, should no longer 
have  any  supervisory  powers  with  regard  to  the  judiciary,  while  the  Parliamentary 
Ombudsmen’s powers should remain unchanged in this respect25. The Committee’s proposals 
on  the  disciplinary  system  have  been  generally  welcomed  by  stakeholders  and  the  bodies 
concerned26. As is the case for the proposed new court administration agency, the Committee 
of  Inquiry  proposed  that  both  the  Judges  Proposal  Board  and  the  new  Disciplinary  Board 
would consist of a majority of members who are or have been judges27. On 19 April 2024, the 
Government appointed an inquiry28 to report on, among other, proposals for a system to hold 
permanent judges accountable, to establish a Disciplinary Board and adjustments to the tasks 
and  the  organisational  aspects  of  the  Judges  Proposal  Board;  the  proposal  should  be 
submitted to Government by 13 May 202529.  

While initial steps have been taken in relation to the independence of lay judges,  there 
was  no  progress  as  regards  their  nomination  system.  The  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report 
recommended to Sweden to ‘ensure that the nomination system of lay judges safeguards their 
independence, taking into account European standards on judicial independence’30. As noted 
in  the  2023  Report,  in  March  2023  a  public  debate  on  the  role  of  political  parties  in  the 
nomination process was triggered following a judgment in a criminal case on appeal, which 
had attracted significant media coverage; the political party having nominated two of the lay 
judges  involved  subsequently  invited  them  to  a  ‘coaching  session’,  after  which  the  two  lay 
judges  resigned31.  Lay  judges  in  Sweden  are  nominated  exclusively  by  the  political  parties 
and elected by municipal councils or county council assemblies32. Ahead of the new intake of 
lay judges for the period 2024-2027, the Swedish National Courts Administration carried out 
an information campaign for prospective lay judges and nominating and selecting bodies  in 

24   Given that this proposal was outside of the Committee’s mandate, the latter proposed that a separate inquiry 
be established. The 2020 Committee of Inquiry on the Constitution (2023), Strengthening the protection of 
democracy and independence of the judiciary, pp. 52-53. 

25   The Committee considered that the Chancellor of Justice’s supervisory duties can be seen as a check on the 
part  of  the  Government  on  the  administration  of  justice  of  the  courts  and  individual  judges.  The  2020 
Committee  of  Inquiry  on  the  Constitution  (2023),  Strengthening  the  protection  of  democracy  and 
independence of the judiciary, pp. 51-52. 

26   The replies of the Chancellor of Justice and the Parliamentary Ombudsmen on the public consultation. The 
Swedish  Judges’  Association  also  does  not  have  any  objections  on  the  Committee’s  proposal  on  a 
Disciplinary Board and is supportive of abolishing the disciplinary competence of the Justice Chancellor  as 
regards permanent judges. Swedish Government (2023) The public consultation on the report ‘Strengthening 
the protection of democracy and independence of the judiciary’. 

27   For the Judges Proposal Board, the nomination procedure would mirror that of the  Board of the new court 
administration agency. The Disciplinary Board should be composed of five members, a majority of which 
should be or have been judges, nominated by the Board of the new court administration agency. The latter 
should  submit  two  proposals  to  the  Government,  who  cannot  appoint  any  other  persons  as  member  and 
deputy than those proposed. The 2020 Committee of Inquiry on the Constitution (2023), Strengthening the 
protection of democracy and independence of the judiciary, p. 438-440. 

28   The  Committee  of  Inquiry  noted  that  separate  inquiries  would  be  needed  to  fully  implement  certain of  its 
proposals,  such  as  relating  to  questions  on  labour  law  and  the  procedure  for  rendering  permanent  judges 
accountable.  The  2020  Committee  of  Inquiry  on  the  Constitution  (2023),  Strengthening  the  protection  of 
democracy and independence of the judiciary, p. 56. 

29   Swedish Government (2024) Strengthening the protection of the independence of courts and judges. 
30   2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 2. 
31   Ibidem, p. 6. 
32   Ibidem, pp. 5-7. 

6 

 
 
spring 202333. The outcome of the campaign was reported in March 2024 and concluded that 
a  significant  majority  of  new  lay  judges  continue  to  be  members  of  political  parties  that 
nominated  them34.  The  Government  will  take  the  findings  of  the  campaign  report  into 
account35,  together  with  the  findings  of  an  inquiry  report  on  public  assistance  in  migration 
cases  that  was  extended  in  scope  and  incidentally  also  touched  upon  the  nomination  of  lay 
judges36  and  the  replies  to  the  public  consultation37.  Nevertheless,  there  are  presently  no 
specific  initiatives  envisaged  to  implement  the  recommendation  of  the  2023  Rule  of  Law 
Report and therefore no progress has been made.  

Quality  

The  digitalisation  of  justice  is  at  a  good  level  overall.  The  use  and  availability  of  digital 
technology in Swedish courts continues to be at a good level overall. This is notably the case 

33   In  July  2022,  the  Government  assigned  the  Swedish  National  Courts  Administration  to  carry  out  an 
information campaign for prospective lay judges and nominating and selecting bodies. Input from Sweden 
for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3. 

34   A survey among the new lay judges was carried out and answered by 6 147 lay judges (a response rate of 
79 %). The survey showed that 6 % (347 persons) of lay judges were elected without belonging to a political 
party (5 % in previous intake), whereas 94 % were members of a political party. The report concluded that 
there are individuals who would like to become a lay judge but do not want to be associated with a political 
party and the National Courts Administration has received questions and comments about this. A willingness 
and  a  structured  way  of  working  within  the  political  parties  is  needed  to  achieve  a  rejuvenation  and 
broadening  of  the  body  of  lay  judges.  Alternatively,  there  is  a  need  for  tighter  control  in  law  or  a 
fundamental  change  in  the  system  of  nomination  and  election  of  lay  judges.  Swedish  National  Courts 
Administration  (2024),  Final  report: Assignment  to  carry  out  communication  activities  ahead  of  the  2023 
council elections, pp. 18-19.  

35   Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the context of the country visit to Sweden. In October 
2023,  the  Minister  of  Justice  invited  representatives  of  the  parties  in  the  Parliament  and  the  National 
Association of Lay Judges to discuss the nomination procedure for lay judges. According to the Government, 
the participants agreed on the importance of independent and impartial judges and on the need to continue 
the discussion. Input from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 3. 

36   The special inquiry officer was, in addition to the original assignment on public assistance in migration cases 
from July 2022, assigned in March 2023 to examine the need for further measures to make it clear that the 
assignment as a lay judge is non-political. The report, published on 1 June 2023, noted that the role of lay 
judges  is  sometimes  perceived  as  being  political  due  to  the  strong  link  with  political  parties  and  nothing 
prevented the political parties from proposing candidates without party membership. Another way to weaken 
the political link would be if the nominated person would abstain from political office during the mandate as 
lay judge. These options would not require changing the current rules. However, a clearer option would be to 
remove the power of nomination from political parties and develop a new recruitment model. It concluded 
that issues related to the nomination and appointment of lay  judges are not part of the mandate. Therefore, 
there was no scope to further analyse a different layout of the lay system or to develop proposals on how lay 
judges are nominated and selected. It concluded that there was no need for further action to clarify that the 
mandate of lay judges is not political. Swedish Government (2023) ‘A review of certain matters relating to 
public assistance’, pp. 142-144. 

37   The Swedish Institute for Human Rights would have found it desirable for the investigation to also include 
analysing the recruitment model for lay judges; the need to investigate  this aspect remains, notably how a 
new  recruitment  system  for  lay  judges  can  be  designed  without  the  involvement  of  the political  parties  to 
ensure  the independence and impartiality of the courts. A number of courts noted the limited scope of the 
inquiry and suggested the need to investigate the nomination of lay judges in a broader context (Stockholm 
Administrative  Court  of  Appeal,  Administrative  Court  in  Malmö,  Administrative  Court  in  Uppsala,  Svea 
Court  of  Appeal).  Swedish  Government  (2023)  The  public  consultation  on  ‘A  review  of  certain  matters 
relating to public assistance’. The National Court Administration also took the view that the conditions for 
appointing  lay  judges  should  be  examined.  Swedish  Government  (2023)  The  public  consultation  on  the 
report ‘Strengthening the protection of democracy and independence of the judiciary’ 

7 

 
 
in  terms  of  procedural  rules  allowing  digital  technology  in  courts  in  civil,  commercial, 
administrative,  and  criminal  cases,  or  availability  of  online  information  about  the  judicial 
system for the general public38. Further efforts are underway to enable individuals’ access to 
legal  information39.  Nevertheless,  some  gaps  remain  when  it  comes  to  digital  solutions  to 
conduct and follow criminal proceedings, notably concerning the possibility for victims and 
defendants  to  access  their  ongoing  case  electronically,  accessing  first  instance  court 
judgments online, or arrangements for machine readability of judgments40. In May 2024, the 
Parliamentary Ombudsmen closed an own investigation into issues concerning the National 
Courts Administration’s implementation of the support for districts courts to issue judgments 
in criminal cases in a digital format and with the possibility of an electronic signature41.   

The  courts  were  granted  increased  financial  resources  for  the  period  of  2023-2026  in 
view  of  increased  challenges  in  tackling  organised  crime.  In  September  2023,  the 
Government  proposed  increases  to  the  budget  of  the  Swedish  courts  from  approximately 
EUR 627.26 million (7 051 million SEK) in 2023 to approximately EUR 730 million (8 206 
million SEK) by 202642. This increase inserts itself into an overall greater spending on law 
enforcement  including  on  the  Police  Authority,  the  Security  Service  and  the  Prosecution 
Service  to  strengthen  and  restore  public  security  in  the  fight  against  organised  crime43.  In 
April 2024, the Government proposed in the spring amendment budget for 2024 an additional 
allocation  for  the  Swedish  courts  of  approximately  EUR  8.59  million  (SEK  100  million)44. 
The  challenges  related  to  infiltration  and  intimidation  of  the  judiciary  in  view  of  organised 
crime have increasingly come into focus45. In this context, various initiatives have been taken 

38   Figure 40 and 41, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
39   The  Government  has  entrusted  the  National  Courts  Administration  to  analyse  how  the  public  legal 
information  system  can  be  developed  further,  ensuring  that  legal  information  can be  provided  in  a  digital, 
uniform, secure and efficient manner based on the needs of users. The report should be submitted by 30 May 
2025. Swedish Government (2023) Secure and efficient access to legal information. 

40   Figures 46, 47 and 48, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
41   According  to  the  Ombudsman,  the  introduction  of  the  electronic  system  (DiBa)  had  been  impacted  by 
certain  shortcomings  related  to  reliability  of  the  system,  as  well  as  readability,  comprehensibility  and 
confidentiality of a judgment drafted in DiBa. National Courts Administration noted that even if the majority 
of  the  issues  highlighted  by  Ombudsman  have  meanwhile  been  remedied,  it  will  continue  to  intensively 
work  on  improvements.  Parliamentary  Ombudsmen  (2024)  Ombudsman's  review  of  the  introduction  of 
operational support Digital Criminal Case Decision (DiBa) and National Courts Administration (2024) The 
National Courts Administration comments on the Ombudsman's criticism. 

42   Input  from  Sweden  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  5.  The  Judges  Association  has  welcomed  the 
increase for the next three-year period. It noted that in 2024 the main part of the increase is likely to be taken 
up by increased rents for court buildings and called for the increases in 2025 and 2026 to be used to a greater 
extent on strengthening the operational output, such as numbers of court staff and remuneration. Information 
received from the Judges Association in the context of the country visit to Sweden.  

43   Swedish  Government  (2023)  Historic  investment  in  the  justice  system  to  restore  security  in  Sweden  In 
March 2023, the National Courts Administration had asked for an increase of SEK 50 million from 2026 in 
addition  to  the  estimated  appropriation  levels  for  2024-2025.  National  Courts  Administration  (2024) 
Budgetary proposal 2024-2026, p. 7. 

44   According to the Government, the development of  crime has increased the workload on the courts, among 
other, by means of more complex cases. The courts have thus recruited more staff, leading to increased costs. 
At the same time, costs for security have also increased. Swedish Government (2024) Government increases 
support for Swedish courts. 

45  In  December  2023,  a  former  court  administrator  at  the  Attunda  district  court  was  convicted  to  an 
imprisonment  of  one  year  and  nine  months  for  a  serious  breach  of  confidentiality,  a  serious  data  breach, 
three  counts  of  breach  of  confidentiality  and  a  data  breach.  The  former  court  administrator  handled 
documents that, among other things, involved secret coercive measures against people in a criminal network 

8 

 
 
 
to prevent infiltration and/or threats against public sector employees, including a committee 
report on measures to reduce the vulnerability of public sector employees to violence, threats 
and  harassment46.  However,  while  steps  are  being  taken,  such  as  considering  to  expand 
background  checks  for  court  staff47,  and  to  ensure  safety  of  courts48,  prosecutors49,  police 
officers exposed to organised crime50 and witnesses51, risks remain in terms of protection of 
individuals involved in the judiciary (e.g. judges, lay judges), notably in view of the ease of 
access  to  personal  data52,  such  as  private  addresses  of  individuals,  by  organised  crime  to 
intimidate, retaliate  and  commit attacks53. On  11  April 2024, the Government mandated an 
inquiry54 to propose measures to reinforce trust in public defence attorneys and strengthen the 

in Sollentuna. According to the prosecution, these are the documents that she handed over to a member of a 
criminal  gang  with  whom  she  was  in  a  relationship.  National  Courts Administration  (2023)  Judgement  in 
case against accused court employee and Göteborgs Posten (2023) Court employee sentenced for leaking to 
a gang.  

46   An inquiry report was published on 11 January 2024 and open for public consultation until 12 April 2024. 
Swedish  Government  (2024)  Stronger  protection  for  public  employees  against  violence,  threats  and 
harassment.  

47   On 4 March 2024, the Swedish Court Administration Agency sent a letter to that effect to the Government. 
National  Courts  Administration  (2024)  The  National  Courts  Administration  wants  to  see  expanded 
possibilities for register checks and written contribution received from the National Courts Administration in 
the framework of the country visit to Sweden. 

48   The  National  Courts  Administration  was  tasked  by  the  Government  to  examine  the  need  for  additional 
security-enhancing measures in the courts and show what measures it has taken and  intends to take so that 
everyone  employed  or  visiting  the  courts  can  feel  safe.  Swedish  Government  (2024)  Assignment  to 
strengthen the security work within Sweden's Court. 

49   In November 2023, the Prosecution Service was tasked to report on measures taken and planned in the short 
term  to  strengthen  security  work,  with  regard  to  both  employee  protection  and  the  service’s  protection 
against  unauthorised  influence.  Swedish  Government  (2023)  Assignment  to  strengthen  the  security  work 
within the Prosecution Service.  

50   The  Police Authority  may  decide  that  an  employee  may  use  another  name  than  his  or  her  own  in  certain 
cases. This applies to cases involving a person who can be assumed to belong to or work for an organisation 
or  group  carrying  out  criminal  activities  of  a  serious  or  extensive  nature.  In  addition,  there  must  be  a 
significant  risk  that  the  staff  member  or  someone  close  to  him/her  will  be  killed.  Swedish  Government 
(2024) Strengthened protection for certain police employees.  

51   An  inquiry  launched  in  October  2023  proposes  that  a  system  of  anonymous  witnesses  be  introduced  in 
criminal  cases.  The  opportunity  to  testify  anonymously  will  be  available  both  during  the  preliminary 
investigation and at the trial in cases involving serious crime and where there is a tangible risk that a witness 
or his or her relatives will be exposed to a serious crime  if he or she testifies in the case. The new  law is 
proposed to enter into force on 1 April 2025. Swedish Government (2023) Investigation proposes new law 
on anonymous witnesses. 

52   In October 2023, the Government appointed an inquiry to review the constitutional protection on freedom of 
expression of search services that publish personal data on offenses and search services that publish personal 
data  on  address,  telephone  number,  marital  status  and  other  information  relating  to  individuals'  personal 
circumstances. Under Sweden’s openness principles, information on organised crime investigations can be 
requested;  once  public,  it  risks  leading  to  retaliations.  Svenska  Dagbladet  (2024)  Strömmer:  Risk  of  more 
acts  of  violence  when  investigations  become  public  and  Swedish  Government  (2023)  A  strengthened 
protection for personal data in the area of freedom of press and expression. 

53   Against the background of recent serious violent crimes suspected of being acts of revenge against having 
been charged, the National Police Commissioner questioned whether police investigations should continue 
to be public when charges are brought and stated "In the past, I've definitely thought the principle of public 
access to information was a good thing, but I've  seen the downside and I think you have to come  up with 
something".  Sveriges  Radio  (2024)  National  Police  Commissioner:  Keep  investigations  secret  to  a  greater 
extent.  See  also  Aftonbladet  (2024)  Police  chief:  the  principle  of  openness  is  outdated,  Sveriges  Radio 
(2024) Prosecutor: "Gangs are avid consumers of the principle of openness". 
54   Swedish Government (2024) Legal aid and the expenses for legal assistance. 

9 

 
 
resilience of the legal profession against criminals55. This inquiry will also examine specific 
questions  related  to  the  legal  aid  and  limiting  the  expenses  for  legal  assistance,  and  the 
inquiry report should be submitted by 1 August 202556. 

A survey on the working conditions of permanent judges highlights issues in attracting 
and  retaining  staff.  In  2023,  the  Judges  Association  commissioned  a  survey  among 
permanent judges on the working conditions at district and administrative courts. The survey 
focuses  on  the  working  conditions  of  Swedish  judges,  which  had  increasingly  become  a 
subject of debate and it also touches upon the attractiveness of the profession57. In particular, 
this highlights the challenges of Swedish  judges  related to  workload58, attractiveness  of the 
profession as a judge59, and the salary system based on collective agreements and not based 
on a law60. The findings of the survey reflect the view of the National Courts Administration 
that the filling of vacant permanent judge positions continues to be a challenge61. 

55   The  Swedish  Bar  Association  welcomed  the  investigation,  while  noting  that  “criminal  lawyers”  are  an 
anomaly.  The  Bar Association  has  set  up  a  special  supervision  unit  to  strengthen  its  proactive  work  and 
prevent lawyers from committing ethical offences. Some of the measures proposed in the inquiry mandate 
were already discussed within the Bar, such as mandatory qualification requirements for public defenders in 
criminal  cases  involving  serious  crime  and  updating  of  its  deontological  rules.  Information  and  written 
contribution received from the Bar Association in the framework of the country visit to Sweden and Dagens 
Juridik (2024) Bar Association: Welcomes investigation - but 'criminal lawyers' are an anomaly.  

56   Swedish Government (2024) Legal aid and the expenses for legal assistance. 
57   The study recorded responses by 548 permanent judges. Information received from the Judges Association in 
the framework of the country visit to Sweden.  See also 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the 
rule  of  law  situation  in  Sweden,  p.  5  and  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Country  Chapter  on  the  rule  of  law 
situation in Sweden, p. 8. 

58   A majority of 55,1% of respondents felt that their normal working time was insufficient to meet their duties. 
Swedish Judges Association (2024), Survey: Ordinary judges' working conditions at Sweden's district courts 
and administrative courts, p. 5.  

59   A  majority  of  respondents,  53,6%,  indicated  that  they  are  not  considering  leaving  the  profession,  while 
23,5% of respondents consider leaving the profession of judge in the coming years to apply for other career 
options.  From  those  considering  leaving,  the  most  common  reasons  given  were  the  salary  (68,2%  of 
respondents),  workload  (66,7%),  a  lack  of  recovery  opportunities,  (46,5  %)  or  a  lack  of  career  prospects 
(41,1%).  Swedish  Judges  Association  (2024),  Survey:  Ordinary  judges'  working  conditions  at  Sweden's 
district courts and administrative courts, pp. 9-10. 

60   On the remuneration of permanent judges, a majority of 63,3% of respondents considered that wage setting 
should not continue to be based on the current regime of individually negotiated salaries. Out of those, 278 
respondents chose options where the salary can be assessed on the basis of objective criteria. Swedish Judges 
Association  (2024),  Survey:  Ordinary  judges'  working  conditions  at  Sweden's  district  courts  and 
administrative  courts,  pp.  12-13.  There  are  no  rules  laid  down  in  law  regarding  judges’  salaries;  they  are 
based  on  a  collective  agreement  between  the  National  Courts  Administration  and  the  Trade  Union 
representing  judges.  The  agreement  sets  minimum  levels  of  pay.  When  a  new  judge  is  appointed,  the 
National  Courts  Administration  and  the  judge  agree  on  a  salary.  Every  year  salaries  are  revised,  set  in 
agreement  between  the  judge  and  the  responsible  court  president.  According  to  the  Council  of  Europe 
recommendations, the principal rules of the system of remuneration for professional judges should be laid 
down in law. 2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 8.  

61   The National Court Administration noted that the number of vacant judges posts indicates that recruitment is 
a  challenge in an increasing number of courts. It has identified the need to ensure that the profession of a 
judge  is  perceived  as  attractive  in  terms  of  the  working  environment,  tasks  and  work  situation.  National 
Courts Administration  (2024)  Budgetary  proposal  2024-2026,  p.  7.  This  challenge  was  also  noted  in  the 
previous Rule of Law Reports.  See notably 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law 
situation  in  Sweden,  p.  5  and  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Country  Chapter  on  the  rule  of  law  situation  in 
Sweden, p. 8. National Courts Administration (2024), Annual report 2023, p. 80. 

10 

 
 
Efficiency 

The  justice  system  continues  to  perform  efficiently.  The  number  of  incoming  civil  and 
commercial  litigious  cases  has  remained  comparatively  low  in  202262.  The  estimated  time 
needed to resolve litigious civil and commercial cases at all court instances is comparatively 
short  (in  2022,  152  days  at  first  instance,  101  days  at  second  instance  and  124  at  third 
instance),  as  in  previous  years63.  The  time  needed  to  resolve  administrative  cases  at  first 
instance  was  107  days  in  2022  and  is  comparatively  low  among  Member  States64.  The 
clearance  rate  has  stayed  positive  at  a  stable  level  for  both  civil  and  commercial  litigious 
cases (103% in 2021 and 102% in 2022) and administrative cases (103% in 2021 and 2022)65. 
The number of pending  civil and commercial cases at first instance remains stable at a low 
level66. [On 16 April 2024, the Government presented a proposal allowing in certain cases for 
transfers of cases between administrative courts and between courts of appeal. The proposal 
aims to improve the efficiency of case-handling in administrative courts and should enter into 
force on 1 November 202467. 

II. 

ANTI-CORRUPTION FRAMEWORK  

Sweden  has  the  legislative  and  institutional  framework  to  combat  and  prevent  corruption 
broadly in place. There is no independent anti-corruption authority or agency in Sweden, but 
the Agency for Public Management is responsible for the good administrative culture across 
Government.  The  National  Council  for  Crime  Prevention  is  a  knowledge  centre  for  the 
criminal  justice  system  and  its  mandate  includes  developing  crime  prevention  work  at  the 
national,  regional,  and  local  level.  The  National  Anti-Corruption  Unit  (NACU)  is  the 
specialised prosecution agency within the Swedish Prosecution Authority responsible for all 
criminal  investigations,  related  to  corruption  and  bribery,  including  foreign  bribery,  in 
cooperation  with  the  National  Anti-Corruption  Unit  of  the  Swedish  Police  Authority 
(NACPU). As part of the Swedish Police Authority, the National Anti-Corruption Police Unit 
is  tasked  with  investigating  corruption  crimes,  asset  recovery  and  preventing  corruption  by 
providing  knowledge  to  different  public  authorities  as  well  as  business  associations.  The 
Special  Investigation  Department  of  the  Police  Authority  handles  internal  investigations  of 
police  officers  and  prosecutors  (including  as  regards  corruption  offences).  The  Swedish 
Economic  Crime  Authority  organised  under  the  Ministry  of  Justice  has  the  mandate  to 
investigate  and  prosecute  serious  financial  crimes,  including  the  recovery  of  proceeds  of 

62   Figure  3, 2024  EU  Justice  Scoreboard. According  to  the  National  Courts Administration  data,  in  2023  the 
general and the administrative courts, at all levels, received 400 424 cases (excluding migration cases), an 
increase of 4% compared to 2022; in the same period, the same processed 404 978 cases, an increase of 3% 
compared to 2022. National Courts Administration (2024), Annual report 2023, pp. 14-15. 

63   Figure 7, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard and Figure 7, 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard. 
64   Figure 7, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. In terms of competition cases, the average length of judicial review in 

2022 at first instance was among lowest at 251 days. Figure 16, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

65   Figures  11  and  12,  2024  EU  Justice  Scoreboard.  The  Parliamentary  Ombudsmen  considered  that  the 
activities of the administrative courts generally function well, but that many courts have problems with long 
processing  times,  such  as  noted  in  complaints  against  administrative  courts  (case  numbers  7263-2022 
migration cases, Malmö, 7504-2022 migration cases, Gothenburg, 1568-2022 general cases, Uppsala, 4332-
2022  LOU  cases,  Växjö,  5220-2022  social  insurance  cases,  Falun,  and  1197-2023  weapons  cases, 
Gothenburg). Parliamentary Ombudsmen (2024) Annual Report 2023, p. 15.  

66   Figure 13, 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard.  
67   Swedish  Government  (2024),  Proposal  for  increased  opportunities  to  transfer  cases  between  general 

administrative courts. 

11 

 
 
crime.  Other  agencies,  such  as  the  National  Audit  Office,  the  National  Competition 
Authority, and the Financial Intelligence Unit of the Swedish Police Authority, are in charge 
of the prevention and investigation of corruption, and of forensics and auditing. 

The perception among experts and business executives is that Sweden is one of the least 
corrupt countries in the world.  In the 2023 Corruption Perception Index by Transparency 
International,  Sweden  scores  82/100  and  ranks  third  in  the  European  Union  and  sixth 
globally68.  This  perception  has  been  relatively  stable  over  the  past  five  years69.  The  2024 
Special  Eurobarometer  on  Corruption  shows  that  49%  of  respondents  consider  corruption 
widespread  in  their  country  (EU  average  68%)  and  12%  of  respondents  feel  personally 
affected by corruption in their daily lives (EU average 27%)70. As regards businesses, 42% of 
companies consider that corruption is widespread (EU average 65%) and 13% consider that 
corruption  is  a  problem  when  doing  business  (EU  average  36%)71.  Furthermore,  33%  of 
respondents find that there are enough successful prosecutions to deter people from  corrupt 
practices  (EU  average  32%)72,  while  43%  of  companies  believe  that  people  and  businesses 
caught for bribing a senior official are appropriately punished (EU average 31%)73. 

Work  on  the  first  National  Anti-Corruption  plan  was  concluded  and  the  Government 
adopted a new, more extensive plan. As noted in previous Rule of Law Reports, the aim of 
the  Anti-Corruption  Plan,  adopted  at  the  end  of  2020,  was  to  provide  public  agencies  with 
tools and best practices on the prevention of corruption74. In December 2023, the Agency for 
Public Mangement published its final report, which examines agencies’75 work in preventing 
corruption.  It  shows  that  overall,  the  agencies’  work  progressed,  although  it  considers  that 
steps  taken  between  2021-2023  are  relatively  limited  and  challenges  remain  in  addressing 
corruption  in  a  structured  and  more  conscious  manner76.  The  report  issues  a  number  of 
recommendations  to  the  Government,  including  expectations  for  continous  support  for  the 
agencies’  work  against  corruption  as  well  as  regular  follow-up  on  their  activities77.  The 

68   Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2022, pp. 2-3. The level of perceived corruption is 
categorised  as  follows:  low  (the  perception  among  experts  and  business  executives  of  public  sector 
corruption scores above 79); relatively low (scores between 79-60), relatively high (scores between 59-50), 
high (scores below 50). 

69   In 2019 the score was 85, while, in 2023, the score is 82. The score significantly increases/decreases when it 
changes  more  than  five  points;  improves/deteriorates  (changes  between  4-5  points);  is  relatively  stable 
(changes from 1-3 points) in the last five years. 

70   Special Eurobarometer 584 on Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). The Eurobarometer 
data  on  citizens’  corruption  perception  and  experience  is  updated  every  year.  The  previous  data  set  is  the 
Special Eurobarometer 534 (2023). 

71   Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). The Eurobarometer 
data on businesses’ attitudes towards corruption as is updated every year. The previous data set is the Flash 
Eurobarometer 524 (2023). 

72  Special Eurobarometer 584 on Citizens’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024).  
73   Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024).  
74   2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 6, 2022 Rule of Law 
Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 8 and 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country 
Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 11. 

75   In this context, “agency” refers to agencies under the Government, mostly carrying out different executive 

tasks, and not those under the Parliament or others.  

76   Input from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 8 and information received in the framework of the 

country visit to Sweden from the Agency for Public Management.  

77   This  concerns  in  particular  the  way  the  Government  and  its  agencies  address  the  prevention  of  and  fight 
against corruption, and is not related to the cooperation of law enforcement and judicial bodies. Agency for 

12 

 
 
 
agencies  themselves  are  encouraged  to  further  strengthen  their  work  on  anti-corruption, 
including by carrying out awareness-raising activities and ensuring that anti-corruption work 
is  sufficiently  prioritised78.  On  4  July  2024,  the  Government  adopted  a  new  ‘Action  Plan 
against  corruption  and  unauthorised  influence  2024-2027’  taking  into  account  these 
recommendations79. The Action Plan has an expanded scope compared to the previous one, 
focusing  on  corruption  but  also  on  unauthorised  influence  and  links  with  organised  crime. 
The  plan  summarises  ongoing  measures  in  several  areas,  such  as  the  review  of  criminal 
legislation on corruption, as well as measures on conflicts of interests, undue influence and 
public procurement, and provides for a new Anti-Corruption Forum and a role of the Agency 
for  Public  Management  in  awareness  raising80.  Notably,  the  plan  focuses  primarily  on  the 
public sector (both national and local level) but does not address private sector corruption81. 

The  Government  set  up  a  committee  of  inquiry  to  review  criminal  law  legislation  in 
relation  to  corruption  and  work  is  ongoing  on  draft  legislation  to  extend  statute  of 
limitations  for  serious  bribery.  On  1  February  2024,  the  Government  established  a 
committee of inquiry with a broad mandate to review criminal law legislation on corruption, 
including  as  regards  compliance  with  international  obligations  and  future  EU  legislation82. 
Main  topics  under  investigation  include  a  broad  assessment  of  whether  the  criminal  law 
legislation  on  corruption  is  effective  and  up  to  date  or  whether  amendments  are  needed,  as 
well as specific elements on criminal liability in relation to bribery, foreign bribery and the 
crime of ‘breach of trust’. The committee shall present its report no later than 25 July 2025, 
after  which  the  report  will  be  referred  for  consideration  to  relevant  bodies  whereafter  the 
Government  will  consider  the  committee’s  recommendations  in  the  form  of  possible 
legislative changes83. As noted in  previous Rule of Law Reports84, a separate committee of 
inquiry was tasked with reviewing the statute of limitations of all crimes and it proposed to 
extend  the  statute  of  limitations  as  applied  to  serious  crimes  –  including  the  offences  of 

Public  Management  (2023),  Step  by  step  –  the  authorities'  work  against  corruption  is  under  development. 
Final report. 

78   Agency  for  Public  Management  (2023),  Step  by  step  –  the  authorities'  work  against  corruption  is  under 

development. Final report.  

79   Swedish Government (2024), Action Plan against corruption and unauthorised influence 2024-2027, p. 2 and 

pp. 28-30. 

80   Swedish Government (2024), Action Plan against corruption and unauthorised influence 2024-2027, pp. 2-

23. 

81   Swedish Government (2024), Action Plan against corruption and unauthorised influence 2024-2027, p. 2-4.  
82   This includes obligations and recommendations from OECD and GRECO, but also, the proposal for an EU 
Directive  on  combating  corruption.  The  committee  of  inquiry  replaces  a  past  committee  of  inquiry  on 
corruption,  with  a  more  limited  mandate,  that  was  established  under  a  previous  government  and 
subsequently cancelled. 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, 
p. 12. 

83   Swedish  Government  (2024),  Inquiry  terms  of  reference,  Measures  under  criminal  law  against  corruption 
and  official  misconduct  (2024:14),  1  February  2024  and  Information  received  in  the  framework  of  the 
country visit to Sweden from the Ministry of Justice. 

84   2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on  the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 5 and 2021 Rule of 
Law  Report,  Country Chapter on the rule of law  situation in Sweden, p. 6 and 2022 Rule of Law  Report, 
Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 8.  

13 

 
 
serious active and passive bribery – from 10 to 15 years85. Work on this draft legislation is 
currently ongoing at the Government level86.  

There  has  been  some  further  progress  as  regards  the  fight  against  foreign  bribery, 
while, as part of the abovementioned review, the legal definitions of foreign bribery are 
being analysed, but there is no improvement in the prosecution of foreign bribery cases. 
The  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report  recommended  to  Sweden  to  ‘strengthen  the  fight  against 
foreign  bribery,  including  through  amending  existing  legal  definitions  and  improving  on 
prosecution and final judgments of cases’87. Amending the applicable legislation in relation 
to foreign bribery is one of the objectives of the committee of inquiry that will examine all 
legislation in the fight against corruption – an independent evaluation that is a first step in all 
law-making  processes  in  Sweden  –  which  will  present  its  results  in  202588.  The  authorities 
have  adequate  resources  and  collaborate  with  international  counterparts  to  investigate  and 
prosecute foreign bribery89. However, similarly to past  years90, the few notable high profile 
foreign bribery cases did not result in convictions. This is mostly due to legal limitations and 
difficulties  to  gather  the  necessary  evidence91,  while  mutual  legal  assistance  requests  with 
some countries remain difficult92. The Government’s new strategy on foreign trade includes 
preventing corruption risks as one of its points93. The OECD has urged Sweden to reform its 
laws  to  ensure  that  companies  bribing  foreign  public  officials  to  obtain  advantages  in 
international business are properly investigated and prosecuted94. Therefore, as the committee 
of  inquiry  has  started  its  work  and  although  the  legal  definitions  of  foreign  bribery  remain 
limited  and  there  is  no  improvement  in  the  prosecution  of  foreign  bribery  cases,  there  has 
been some further progress on the recommendation made in the 2023 Rule of Law Report.  

Law  enforcement  agencies  responsible  for  investigating  and  prosecuting  corruption 
cooperate well, have an appropriate level of resources and continue to present results. 
The  Prosecution  Authority  and  the  Police  Authority  have  a  sufficient  level  of  resources95, 

85   2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 8.  
86   Input  from  Sweden  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  12  and  written  contribution  received  in  the 

framework of the country visit to Sweden from the Ministry of Justice.  

87   2022 Rule of Law Report, Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, pp. 9-10. In 2023 the Commission 
concluded that ‘some progress’ had been made on the recommendation addressed in the 2022 Rule of Law 
Report. 

88   Swedish  Government,  Inquiry  terms  of  reference,  Measures  under  criminal  law  against  corruption  and 
official misconduct (2024:14), 1 February 2024; Input from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 1 
and Information received in the context of the country visit to Sweden from the Ministry of Justice. 

89  2023 Rule of Law Report, Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, pp. 13-14. 
90   Ibidem, pp. 13-14. 
91   The  most  high-profile  judgement  in  this  context  is  the  acquittal  in  the  so-called  “Ericsson  case”  over  the 
alleged bribery of the Ericsson company in Djibouti. See Judgement of 10 January 2024, Case No B 8546-
22. Information received in the context of the country visit by the Prosecution Service. 

92   Information received in the context of country to Sweden from the Prosecution Service and Police and 2023 

Rule of Law Report, Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, pp. 13-14. 

93   Input from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 1 and 7. 
94   In  the  context  of  its  country  specific  monitoring  in  relation  to  the  OECD  Anti-Bribery  Convention,  the 
OECD  has  called  on  Sweden  multiple  times  since  2014  to  address  issues  with  its  framework  on  foreign 
bribery, including as regards corporate criminal liability, dual criminality and others. See also OECD (2019), 
Sweden must urgently implement reforms to boost the fight against bribery and information received in the 
context of the country visit to Sweden.  

95   Information  received  in  the  context  of  the  country  visit  to  Sweden  from  the  Prosecution  Service  and  the 
Police Authority. The  National Anti-Corruption  unit  of  the  Police Authority  consists  of  28  persons,  which 

14 

 
 
 
although some issues on staffing and performance of the Police Authority’s intelligence unit 
in  corruption  cases  were  noted96.  Good  cooperation  exists  between  the  law  enforcement 
agencies involved in the investigation and prosecution of corruption, although some overlaps 
in  their  responsibilities  can  at  times  lead  to  uncertainty  as  to  the  service  in  charge  of 
investigation97.  These  authorities  continue  to  present  results  in  the  fight  against  corruption. 
Data from the National Council for Crime Prevention indicates that, following a decrease in 
reported bribery cases in 2022, reports have risen again to 115 cases for passive bribery and 
146 cases for active bribery in 202398. In 2023, prosecutions were initiated for 166 bribery-
related  offences  and  50  convictions  were  obtained  in  bribery-related  cases,  of  which  one 
resulted  in  imprisonment99.  Some  civil  society  actors  have  expressed  concerns  over 
inadequate  reporting  of  corruption  and  other  financial  crimes,  in  particular  in  the  private 
sector100.  Following  some  shortcomings  identified  by  the  Swedish  National  Audit  Office 
regarding the functioning of the Economic Crime Authority101, the latter followed-up in line 
with the auditors’ recommendations102. The Government has announced an initiative to join 
the European Public Prosecutor’s Office and presented a legislative proposal to Parliament103. 
Prosecutors report good cooperation with EPPO on ongoing cases104. 

Addressing  corruption  risks  related  to  infiltration  by  organised  crime  into  the  public 
service  is  an  increasing  priority  for  the  authorities  and  this  is  highlighted  in  the 
Government  National  Strategy  against  organised  crime.  According  to  the  authorities, 
there have been several cases of organised crime actors trying to infiltrate public services at 
local  level,  often  in  areas  where  criminal  networks  are  more  influential105.  Despite  these 
concerns, corruption related to infiltration of organised crime is not accurately reflected in the 
number  of  investigations  and  prosecutions106,  also  as  reporting  is  hampered  by  threats  and 

includes police officers, civil investigators and forensic accountants. Within the Public Prosecution there are 
11 senior public prosecutors working on economic crime, alongside specialised support staff.  
96   Information received in the context of the country visit to Sweden from the Prosecution Service.  
97   Information  received  in  the  framework  of  the  country  visit  to  Sweden  from  the  Prosecution  Service  and 

Economic Crime Authority. 

98   In 2021, there were 309 reports on passive bribery, whereas in 2022 the number of reports on passive bribery 
was  80.  For  active  bribery,  there  were  82  reports  in  2021  and  90  in  2022.Written  contribution  from  the 
National Council for Crime Prevention in the context of the country visit to Sweden. 

99   Overall, there were 138 convictions and 18 cases that resulted in imprisonment for all corruption offences 

including bribery, trading in influence and abuse of office. Ibid.  

100  Dagens  Juridik  (2024),  All  crimes  must  be  reported,  it  is  the  only  way  to  get  the  correct  picture  of  the 

situation. 

101  National Audit Office (2021), Swedish Economic Crime Authority ‘Combating organised economic crime’, 
pp. 5-7, and 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the Rule of law situation in Sweden, pp, 8-9.  
102  Swedish  Economic  Crime Authority (2023),  ‘Annual  Report,  2023’,  pp. 42-44. The  National Audit  Office 
noted, for example, that the Economic Crime Authority was failing in its internal control and recommended 
that  it  better  structures  its  overall  planning  and  distribution  of  resources  more  effectively.  By  way  of 
addressing this recommendation, the Economic Crime Authority has, for instance, amended its management 
structure linked to local public prosecution offices.  

103  EPPO  (2024),  More  effective  law  enforcement  through  Sweden’s  participation  in  EPPO  and  Swedish 
Government  (2024),  The  Government  submits  a  bill  on  Swedish  participation  in  the  European  Public 
Prosecutor's Office (EPPO). 

104  Information  received  in  the  framework  of  the  country  visit  to  Sweden  from  the  Prosecution  Service  and 

Economic Crime Authority. 

105  Information received in the framework of the country visit to Sweden by the Prosecution Service and 2023 

Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the Rule of law situation in Sweden, pp. 12-13. 

106  In particular, the Police Authority reports that it is rare to see a stand-alone corruption case that is obviously 
linked to organised crime. However, indications of corruption are sometimes found during organised crime-

15 

 
 
 
harassment107.  However,  a  slight  increase  of  cases  linked  to  infiltration  within  the  public 
service has been observed108. A study of the National  Council for Crime Prevention on the 
role  and  function  of  enablers  in  public  institutions  conducting  criminal  activities  linked  to 
criminal  networks  was  published  in  March  2024.  It  concluded  that,  while  the  number  of 
enablers is  presumed to  be  limited in Sweden, they have been found in all sectors surveyed. 
Such enablers are heavily sought after by criminal networks. In particular, the National Council 
for  Crime  Prevention  calls  on  employers  being  granted  increased  possibilities  to  screen  or 
investigate employees109. In a further work strand, the National Council is preparing a report 
on  how  system-threatening  actors  use 
influence  against  politically  elected 
representatives; a final report with concrete recommendations is due by 1 April 2025110. An 
interim report, based on a trust survey of politicians, showed that every year at least one in 
ten  elected  representatives  is  exposed  to  such  a  system-threatening  actor,  while  3%  of 
respondents  reported  coming  into  contact  with  some  form  of  corruption111.  An  additional 
study  on  how  organised  crime  uses  shell  companies  to  obtain  public  funds  in  an  illicit 
manner, was also commissioned from the Council for Crime Prevention. The study is to be 
completed  by  October  2025112.  The  Government  has  also  adopted  its  first  ever  National 
Strategy  against  organised  crime  which  includes  specific  measures  related  to  corruption, 
infiltration in the public sector and the tackling of undue influence. The strategy stresses the 
importance of awareness-raising113. 

illicit 

Some gaps in ethics guidance for top-level  officials remain while ethical  guidelines for 
all civil servants are still being updated. Sweden relies on a strong culture of transparency 
in  dealing  with  potential  conflicts  of  interests  and  ethical  breaches.  The  updated  handbook 
continues to provide guidance for top-level officials on topics such as rules regarding conflict 
of  interest,  restrictions  when  leaving  office,  or  rules  on  travel114.  Although  it  is  not  legally 
binding  nor  does  it  include  supervision115,  according  to  GRECO  the  handbook  provides 

related  investigations.  Information  received  in  the  framework  of  country  to  Sweden  from  the  Prosecution 
Service and Police Authority.   

107  Information received in the framework of the country visit to Sweden by the Prosecution Service and 2023 

Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the Rule of law situation in Sweden, pp. 12-13.  

108  This includes cases of employees within the Police Authority or other state bodies that, for various reasons, 
pass information to organised crime groups. In particular, it is reported that the relatively recent addition of 
the crime “gross dereliction of duty” proves useful in prosecuting these cases. Information received in the 
context of country to Sweden from the Department of Special Investigations. Additionally,  recent academic 
work suggests the corruption risk in Sweden is to some extent being underestimated, in particular as regards 
forms such as nepotism. Wittberg, E. (2023), Corruption risks in a mature democracy. 

109  Tasks of the enablers range from passing insider information to manipulating  procurement procedures, while 
the enablers themselves can range from pressured family members to “professional” enablers that are on the 
payroll  of  multiple  criminal  groups.  National  Council  on  Crime  Prevention  (2024),  Enablers  of  Criminal 
Networks – on local, state and private sector enablers. 

110  National  Council  on  Crime  Prevention  (2024),  Unauthorized  influence  exerted  by  actors  and  groups 

threatening the system and input from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 10. 

111  The  data  was  based  on  a  trust  survey  carried  out  in  2022.  National  Council  on  Crime  Prevention  (2023), 
Vulnerability  of  elected  representatives  -  Interim  Report:  Unauthorised  interference  by  system-threatening 
actors.  

112  Swedish Government (2024), Assignment to study how companies are used as criminal tools by criminals. 
113  This  includes  cross-references  to  the  future  anti-corruption  plan.  Swedish  Government  (2024),  Resilience 

and action - a national strategy against organised crime. 

114  GRECO Fifth evaluation round – second compliance report, recommendation ii, paragraphs 14-22 and input 

from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 9. 

115  GRECO Fifth evaluation round – second compliance report, recommendation ii, paragraphs 14-22 and 2023 

Rule of Law Report, Country chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 14. 

16 

 
 
sufficient  ethical  guidance  to  high-level  officials116.  The  ethical  guidelines  for  all  civil 
servants,  however,  remain  under  revision.  Both  ethics  training  and  an  integrity  advice 
function  for  ministers  remain  in  place,  although  there  is  no  central  independent  integrity 
adviser  or  committee117.  Training  on  integrity  includes  an  introductory  course  for  all 
Government employees, available online since July 2023118. 

Asset  declaration  requirements  for  ministers  do  not  include  significant  liabilities. 
Ministers and state-secretaries are required to declare their financial interests; the declaration 
needs to be supported by statements from banks and/or stockbrokers. These are checked by 
the Government Offices and may be provided to the public upon request119. As also noted in 
previous Rule of Law Reports120, the declaration does not include information on significant 
liabilities or information on their spouses and some dependent family members. There is no 
systemic verification of the declaration, and various categories of officials, such as senior law 
enforcement  officials,  do  not  need  to  declare  assets121.  The  Government  has  no  plans  to 
further  amend  the  asset  declaration  regime122,  despite  the  pending  recommendation  of 
GRECO123. 

Debate  on  the  regulation  of  lobbying  continues,  with  the  topic  under  discussion  in  an 
all-party committee of inquiry. There still are no rules on how to engage with lobbyists and 
on  disclosure  of  lobbying  contacts,  as  also  signalled  by  GRECO124.  An  all-party  inquiry 
committee  reviewing  the  regulation  on  transparency  in  the  financing  of  political  parties  is 
also  mandated  to  consider  whether  there  is  a  need  to  strengthen  transparency  regarding 
contacts between political decision-makers and lobbyists. The inquiry has a broad mandate to 
consider this question and to report on its work by 15 February 2025 at the latest125.  

116  While  stating  the  document  is  quite  different from  a  regular,  consolidated  code  of  conduct  covering high-
level  civil  servants  and  political  office  holders,  GRECO  considers  it  nonetheless  sufficient  to  fulfill  a 
recommendation aiming at providing ethical guidance to high-level officials. 
Fifth 
evaluation round – second compliance report, recommendation ii, paragraphs 14-22 and 2023 Rule of Law 
Report, Country chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 14. 

GRECO 

117  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 14. 
118  Input received from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 8 and 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country 

chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 14-15. 

119  GRECO Fifth evaluation round – compliance report, recommendation viii, paragraphs50-52.  
120  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 11 and 2023 Rule of 

Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 14. 

121  As regards senior public officials, if it is necessary with regard to the existence of inside information within 
an  authority,  the  Government  may  decide  that  those  who  are  part  of  the  authority’s  management  shall  be 
obliged to report their holdings of financial instruments. In such cases senior public officials at central level 
such as heads of central executive authorities, Secretaries-General, Directors-General, etc are covered by the 
reporting obligation. The authority may, in turn, decide that other employees and contractors that have access 
to inside information as a part of their employment must be covered by the same reporting obligations. See 
also 2024 Justice Scoreboard, Figures 60, 61, and 62. 

122  Information received in the framework of country to Sweden from the Ministry of Justice. 
123  GRECO Fifth evaluation round –Second Compliance report, recommendation vii, paras 40-45. 
124  GRECO  Fifth  evaluation  Round  –  Evaluation  Report,  recommendation  v,  paras.  51-52  and  GRECO  Fifth 

Evaluation Round – Compliance Report, recommendation v, para. 37. 

125  Swedish  Government  (2023),  Enhanced  transparency  in  the  financing  of  political  parties  (2023:88);  Input 
received from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 9 and information received in the context of the 
country visit to Sweden from the Ministry of Justice. See also 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on 
the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 15. 

17 

 
 
The  evaluation  of  the  rules  on  revolving  doors  was  completed,  fully  implementing  the 
relevant  recommendation  from  the  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report.  The  2023  Rule  of  Law 
Report recommended to  Sweden to  ‘‘evaluate the scope, impact  and implementation of the 
rules relating to revolving doors that cover top executive functions in the Government’’126. A 
committee  of  inquiry,  appointed  by  the  Government  in  2022  to  evaluate  the  existing 
framework  on  revolving  doors,  completed  its  work  in  August  2023127.  The  Committee’s 
evaluation concluded that the rules128, while relatively limited, have served their purpose, in 
particular as they have also created a self-regulatory effect and raised awareness among those 
with  top  executive  functions.  The  committee  has  recommended  to  keep  unchanged  the  12-
month period during which restrictions can be imposed (as it is purposeful and balanced). It 
also did not consider it necessary to introduce sanctions as any decision on restrictions by the 
Board  for  the  Examination  of  Transitionary  Restrictions  was  generally  complied  with. 
Additionally,  mass  media  scrutiny  and  the  self-regulatory  effect  are  considered  sufficient 
deterrents. The Committee has proposed to extend the transitionary restrictions, by means of 
a new law, to a wider scope of individuals – namely, heads of Government agencies such as 
Directors-General,  and  to  allow  for  the  possibility  to  widen  the  scope  to  lower-level 
employees  executing  critical  functions129.  The  Government  is  considering  the  results  of  the 
inquiry and has not yet taken any position on future legislative (or other) changes to the rules 
on  revolving  doors130.  During  2023,  the  Board  for  the  Examination  of  Transitionary 
Restrictions received a total of 43 reports – a significant increase from past years due to the 
change  of  governments  that  took  place  in  this  period.  In  nine  of  these  cases,  the  Board 
imposed  restrictions  concerning  the  content  of  the  future  employment131.  Given  that  the 
evaluation was completed, and the Government is examining the follow-up to its conclusions, 
the  recommendation  from  the  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report  is  considered  to  have  been  fully 
implemented. 

An all-party committee of inquiry is reviewing transparency gaps in the framework for 
political party financing. As noted in the 2023 Rule of Law Report132, an all-party inquiry 
committee continues to review the transparency of financing of political parties. Results are 
expected by 15 February 2025133. The main topics discussed include clarifications as regards 
anonymous  donations,  whether  parties’  accounting  should  also  cover  expenses,  assets  and 
debts  (and  not  only  income),  the  rules  on  auditing,  and  a  possible  ban  on  foreign 

126  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, pp. 15-16. 
127  Swedish  Government  (2023), Transitionary  restrictions  -  increased  trust  in  public  activities.  Report  of  the 

Inquiry into transitionary restrictions in public activities.  

128  According  to  the  current  Act  on  post-employment  for  ministers  and  state  secretaries,  ministers  and  state 
secretaries have to notify the Board for the Examination of Transitionary Restrictions for Ministers and State 
Secretaries before accepting any new assignment in the private sector for a period of 12 months after the end 
of their term in office. See also 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in 
Sweden, pp. 15-16. 

129  Swedish  Government  (2023), Transitionary  restrictions  -  increased  trust  in  public  activities.  Report  of  the 

Inquiry into transitionary restrictions in public activities.  

130  Information  received  in  the  framework  of  the  country  visit  to  Sweden  from  the  Ministry  of  Justice  and 

Ministry of Finance. 

131  Board for the Examination of Transitionary Restrictions for Ministers and State Secretaries (2024) Report on 
the  activities  of  the  Board for  reviewing  the  transfer restrictions  of  ministers  and  certain  other officials  in 
2023. 

132  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 16. 
133  Input received from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 9. 

18 

 
 
contributions134.  The  Legal,  Financial 
and  Administrative  Services  Agency 
(Kammarkollegiet), responsible for the oversight of political party financing, opened a  total 
of  eight  enforcement  cases  in  2023135.  The  political  party  financing  disclosures  remain 
publicly available on the website of the Agency.  

The  Whistleblowers  Act  is  being  implemented.  The  Act  that  entered  into  force  in 
December 2021 aims to transpose the EU Whistleblower Protection Directive136 and applies 
to  private  and  public  organisations137.  The  Police  Authority  indicates  that  only  few  reports 
were  received  from  whistleblowers  in  relation  to  corruption  allegations,  although  detailed 
disaggregated data on this topic is not available138. 

Municipalities  and  regions  are  considered  at  higher  risk  of  corruption,  while  various 
initiatives  seek  to  address  corruption  risks  in  the  field  of  public  procurement. 
Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU show that 27% of companies in Sweden 
(EU average 27%) think that corruption has prevented them from winning a public tender or 
a  public  procurement  contract  in  practice  in  the  last  three  years139.  Public  procurement 
remains  one  of  the  main  corruption  risk  areas,  with  civil  society  advocating  for  more 
transparency140. The Police Authority also noted several cases linked to procurement and in 
the  construction  sector141.  A  committee  of  inquiry142  recommended  the  Government  to 
introduce  a  joint  database  to  allow  better  due  diligence  and  implementation  of  exclusion 
criteria to prevent unsuitable suppliers from being awarded public funds143. Aside from this, 
the Agency for Public Management conducted a survey on the overall risk of corruption in 
Swedish regions and municipalities144. The survey outcome suggested that local government 
institutions  need  to  strengthen  their  efforts  to  fight  corruption  so  as  to  effectively  manage 
both new and old risks. In particular, according to the survey, local authorities hold an overly 
narrow view of what constitutes corruption, and it consequently appears to be underreported 
at local and regional levels145.  

134  Information received in the framework of the country visit to Sweden from the Swedish Government. 
135  The  number  of  cases  dropped  from  an  exceptional  high  point  of  18  in  2022.  The  Legal,  Financial  and 

Administrative Services Agency (2024) Annual Report 2023, pp. 36-37 

136  Directive (EU) 2019/1937 on the protection of persons who report breaches of Union law. 
137  Act on Protection of Persons who Report Wrongdoings, 2021:890.  
138  Agency  for  Public  Management  (2023),  Step  by  step  –  the  authorities'  work  against  corruption  is  under 
development. Final report, p. 61 and information received in the framework of the country visit to Sweden 
from the Police Authority and Special Investigations Department.  

139  Flash Eurobarometer 543 on Businesses’ attitudes towards corruption in the EU (2024). This is the same as 

the EU average. 

140  Information received from Transparency International in the framework of the country visit to Sweden. 
141  Information received in the framework of the country visit to Sweden from the Police Authority. 
142 As mentioned in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 17. 
143  Swedish Government (2023), A coordinated registry check for procuring authorities and units and Input from 

Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 10. 

144  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 16. 
145  Some  local  authorities  do  not  signal  or  pursue  certain  conduct  that  is  generally  considered  corruption. 
Agency  for  Public  Management  (2023),  New  challenges  and  old  problems  –  Corruption  in  municipalities 
and regions. 

19 

 
 
III.  MEDIA PLURALISM AND MEDIA FREEDOM 

legal  framework  concerning  media  pluralism 

The  Swedish 
the 
Constitution146 and secondary law147. Freedom of expression is guaranteed by the Instrument 
of  Government,  the  Fundamental  Law  on  Freedom  of  Expression  and  the  Freedom  of  the 
Press  Act,  which  also  safeguards  access  to  information.  The  Swedish  media  regulator,  the 
Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media,  formed  by  a  merger  between  the  Swedish  Press  and 
Broadcasting  Authority  and  the  Swedish  Media  Council,  functions  according  to  the 
Constitution148. The Radio and Television Act  guarantees the availability of information on 
media ownership of audiovisual media and radio service providers149. 

is  established  by 

The restructured national regulatory authority, the Swedish Agency for the Media, has 
received  new  tasks.  Following  an  assessment  commissioned  by  the  Government150,  the 
independent  media  regulator  the  Swedish  Press  and  Broadcasting  Authority151  officially 
merged  with  the  Swedish  Media  Council  on  1  January  2024152.  The  merged  entity,  now 
called  the  Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media,  carries  on  with  the  previously  separate  media 
regulatory  tasks  and  some  specialist  functions  concerning,  for  example,  media  use  by 
children and young people153. The aim is to provide more effective services under the same 
structure  in  a  coordinated  manner154.  The  budget  and  human  resources  of  the  Swedish 
Agency for the Media have been slightly increased to deal with new tasks independent of the 
merger, such as monitoring journalists’ safety in addition to a new initiative related to media 
and information literacy and under the Digital Services Act155. The Agency also receives and 
processes  applications  for  financial  support  made  pursuant  to  the  recently  adopted  Media 
Subsidies  Act.  The  aid  is  administered  by  the  Swedish  Media  Subsidy  Council,  an 
independent  body  within  the  Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media156.  The  Media  Subsidies  Act 
encompasses a more technology neutral support scheme compared to the previous financial 
support  scheme157  but  journalists  have  criticised  it  for  not  sufficiently  guaranteeing  media 

146  The  Swedish  Constitution  consists  of  four  fundamental  laws:  the  Instrument  of  Government,  the  Act  of 

Succession, the Freedom of the Press Act and, the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression. 

147  Radio and Television Act. 
148  Relevant parts of the Constitution: the Instrument of Government and the Fundamental Law on Freedom of 

Expression. 

149  Sweden  ranks  third  in  the  2024  Reporters  without  Borders  World  Press  Freedom  Index,  which  is  one 

position up from the previous year. 

150  Swedish  Government  (2022)  Subordination  of  the  Swedish  Media  Council  to  the  Swedish  Press  and 
Broadcasting Authority, Ds 2022:17; 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Sweden, p. 18.  

151  The  independence  of  the  Swedish  media  regulator  is  stemming  from  the  Constitution  (IG  Chapter  12, 

Section 2). 

152  Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media  (2024)  Welcome  to  our  new  website,  European  Platform  of  Regulatory 

Authorities (2024) The Swedish Agency for the Media: merger of the MPRT and the SMC. 
153  Regulation with instructions for the Swedish Agency for the Media (2023) SFS 2023:844. 
154  There  were  no  lay-offs,  as  reported  in  the  written  information  provided  by  the  Ministry  of  Culture  in  the 

framework of the 2024 country visit. 

155  Information  provided  by  the  Ministry  of  Culture  the  Press  and  the  Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media 
(previously Swedish Press and Broadcasting Authority) in the framework of the 2024 country visit; Swedish 
Government (2024) The Swedish Agency for the Media is tasked with implementing a national initiative to 
strengthen  media  and  information  literacy  in  AI-driven  disinformation;  Swedish  Government  (2024) 
Strengthened protection for journalists against threats and hatred. 

156  Input from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 13. 
157  Swedish Agency for the Media (2024) 218 applications – new media subsidies. 

20 

 
 
pluralism158.  A  proposal  for  a  temporary  support  scheme  helping  current  affairs  and  news 
journals  to  adapt  to  new  digital  market  conditions  is  being  prepared  by  the  Government 
Offices159. The MPM 2024 continues to maintain a very low risk regarding the independence 
and effectiveness of the media authority160. 

The  Government  is  examining  possible  rules  on  satellite  broadcasting.  Following 
previous  amendments  of  the  Radio  and  Television  Act  concerning  licensing  periods161,  the 
Government  is  looking  into  rules  on  broadcasting  licenses  where  there  is  a  risk  to  national 
security162.  A  Government-appointed  inquiry  submitted  its  proposals  in  a  report  to  the 
Minister for Culture in October 2023. It suggested introducing a requirement for licensing all 
television and radio broadcasting via satellite, except for public service. These licences could 
be revoked under certain conditions163. The report has been subject to a public consultation 
and  the  Government  offices  expect  to  prepare  a  proposal  in  autumn  2024164.  While  the 
national regulatory authority broadly agrees with the proposed requirements in their response, 
stakeholders  in  the  media  sector  suggest  exploring  other  solutions,  as  they  consider  the 
envisaged authorisation requirements would restrict the freedom of expression165. In terms of 
media  concentration,  Sweden  has  no  sector-specific  legislation166  and  the  market  is 
characterised  by  a  high  level  of  concentration  both  in  the  newspaper  and  broadcast  media 
markets167.  The  MPM  2024  continues  to  give  a  high-risk  score  for  the  plurality  of  media 
providers in Sweden168. 

The political  independence of public service media  has been strengthened and further 
efforts  in  this  field  are  still  being  envisaged  by  the  Government.  A  dedicated 
parliamentary  committee  appointed  by  the  Government  has  issued  a  report  in  May  2024, 
suggesting  ways  to  strengthen  and  supplement  the  already  solid  safeguards  against 
governmental  or  political  interference  in  public  service  media169.  The  Government  will 
consider them when preparing a new proposal for the next year170. Meanwhile, the Swedish 
public service media’s articles of association have been revised, prohibiting members of their 
boards  of  directors  from  having  any  assignments  related  to  political  parties.  The  change 

158  Swedish Union of Journalists (2023) Risks in the regulation on new media subsidies. 
159  Swedish Government (2024) Investigators propose time-limited development support for journals. 
160  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Sweden, p. 11. 
161  As reported in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 19. 
162  Swedish Government (2022) Withdrawal of broadcasting licenses in the interests of Sweden’s security, Ds 

2022:20. 

163  Swedish Government (2023) Swedish National Security for Broadcasts on the Air, 2023:63. 
164  Input from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 14; information received from the Prime Minister’s 

Office as a follow-up to the 2024 country visit. 

165  See responses by the Swedish Agency for the Media, the Swedish Union of Journalists, the Swedish Media 
Publishers’  association  and  The  Publicist  Club  at  Swedish  Government  (2024)  Referral  of  the  report 
Sweden’s security in the ether (SOU 2023:63). are  

166  General competition rules apply to media concentration and mergers. 
167  Euromedia Ownership Monitor (2022) Country report by Jonas Ohlsson, Tobias Lindberg and Ulrika Facht. 
168 2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Sweden, pp. 12-13. 
169  As anticipated in 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the  rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 19. 
According to European Parliament’s Flash Eurobarometer: News & Media Survey 2023, Sweden is among 
top  3  Member  States  where  citizens  demonstrate  the  highest  trust  in  public  TV  and  radio  stations  (incl. 
online), although the level of trust has slightly decreased between 2022 and 2023. 

170  Swedish Government (2024) The Minister of Culture received the Public Service Committee’s report. 

21 

 
 
reflects an already established practice regarding their appointments171. To further strengthen 
the independence of public service media from political influence, another change concerning 
the  Ordinance  on  the  pre-assessment  of  services  provided  by  the  public  service  media 
companies has entered into force172. This relates to the approval procedure of potential new 
services  to  be  provided  by  the  Swedish  public  service  media.  The  final  decision  of  a  pre-
assessment is now made by the Swedish Agency for the Media instead of the Government173. 
The  public  service  media  companies  have  decided  on  cost  reductions174.  For  the  moment, 
however, the MPM 2024 continues to report a very low risk concerning the independence of 
public service media175. 

Legislation on access to documents guarantees wide availability of information, and an 
inquiry  is  looking  into  the  review  of  the  current  constitutional  protection  of  private 
sector  search  services.  The  Swedish  Freedom  of  the  Press  Act,  which  forms  part  of  the 
Swedish Constitution, has recently been acknowledged by UNESCO’s Memory of the World 
Register  as  the  world’s  first  legislation  guaranteeing  free  communication  of  information.  It 
has been deemed to  work well overall176, even though journalists have noted that access  to 
digital  as  opposed  to  paper  documents  continues  to  be  sometimes  difficult177.  At  the  same 
time,  the  potential  misuse  of  another  constitutional  instrument  –  the  Fundamental  Law  on 
Freedom  of  Expression  –  in  making  information  publicly  available  has  recently  come  into 
focus178. A special investigator was appointed by the Ministry of Justice in October 2023 to 
review the current constitutional protection in the context of the private sector search services 
that publish personal data, including individuals’ addresses, telephone numbers, marital status 
and  other  data  relating  to  individuals’  personal  circumstances179.  The  concern  is  that  such 
information could be used by criminals to select and map victims of crime180. The MPM 2024 
maintains a low risk in the field of protection of the right to information181. 

171  Swedish  Government  (2023)  Government  ensures  the  independence  of  public  service  broadcasters  from 

party politics; Input from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 14. 
172  Ordinance (2019:1256) on Prior Examination of Public Services Companies. 
173  The Government had launched an inquiry in March 2021 to review the system, as reported in the 2022 Rule 
of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 14. The new procedure has not 
yet been used in practice. 

174  Information  provided  by  Swedish  Television  (SVT),  Swedish  Radio  (SR)  and  the  Swedish  Educational 
Radio (UR) in the context of the 2024 country visit; Swedish Union of Journalists (2024) “Shocking news” – 
180 positions disappear at SR. 

175  2024 Media Pluralism Monitor, country report for Sweden, p. 16. 
176  As reported in the 2022ule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 14. 
177  Information received from the Swedish Union of Journalists in the context of the 2024 country visit; 2021 

Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 11. 

178  SR  (2024)  Prosecutor:  “The  gangs  are  diligent  consumers  of  the  principle  of  public  access  to  official 
documents”, Aftonbladet (2024) Police chief: The principle of public access to official records is outdated. 
179  Swedish  Government  (2023)  Strengthening  the  protection  of  personal  data  in  the  area  of  freedom  of  the 
press and freedom of expression. Pending the finalisation of the review, the Administrative Court of Appeal 
in Stockholm issued a judgment, on 13 March 2024, in which it held that a balance must be made between 
the interest in privacy protection and the constitutionally protected rights that apply to holders of voluntary 
issuance certificates. The Administrative Court of Appeal in Stockholm (2024), Press release on case 6027-
23. 

180  Swedish Government (2024) Enhanced protection of personal data in the area of freedom of the press and 

freedom of expression, Dir 2023:145, p. 9. 

181  2024  Media  Pluralism  Monitor,  country  report  for  Sweden,  p.  10;  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Country 

Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 10. 

22 

 
 
Swedish  journalists  continue  to  work mainly  in  favourable  conditions.  The  MPM  2024 
regards  the  Swedish  media  system  to  boast  a  longstanding  regulatory  tradition  promoting 
media freedom with a low risk score regarding the protection of freedom of expression. There 
have  not  been  any  observable  violations  of  freedom  of  the  press  and  the  freedom  of 
expression  because  of  the  constitutional  amendment  criminalising  ‘foreign  espionage’ 
reported in the 2023 Rule of Law Report182. Furthermore, since the 2023 Rule of Law Report, 
no  new  alerts  have  been  recorded  on  the  Council  of  Europe’s  Platform  to  promote  the 
protection of journalism and safety of journalists183. The Mapping Media Freedom platform 
has identified four alerts184. Among stakeholders, concerns have been raised about a specific 
‘Defamation Ombudsman’ project led by a Swedish activist, which is promoting lawsuits and 
could be seen as an attempt to silence journalists185. In August 2023, amendments to criminal 
law  entered  into  force186,  making  it  an  aggravated  circumstance  if  a  crime  has  been 
committed  against  a  person  because  they  or  someone  close  to  them  has  professionally 
engaged  in  news  distribution  or  other  journalism187.  This  has  been  largely  welcomed  by 
media stakeholders188. To support journalists, the Government has allocated SEK 1 million to 
Victim  Support  Sweden  build  up  a  national  contact  point  for  journalists  who  need 
protection189.  Finally,  the  Police  and  media  publishers  have  successfully  continued  their 
cooperation190 to prevent crimes against journalists191. The Police’s final report regarding its 
task  from  the  Government  to  combat  hate  crimes  that  threaten  democracy,  involving  also 
journalists, explains that a number of meetings and a pilot project have been held at regional 
and local levels to create robust long-term cooperation between the Police and newsrooms192. 

IV.  OTHER INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES RELATED TO CHECKS AND BALANCES 

Sweden  has  a  unicameral,  parliamentary  system  of  governance,  in  which  a  Council  of 
Legislation  ensures  ex  ante  constitutional  review,  while  courts  can  carry  out  an  ex  post 
constitutional review in concrete cases. Legislative proposals can be submitted by Parliament 
or  the  Government,  with  the  latter  submitting  the  majority  of  proposals  in  practice.  The 

182  2024  Media  Pluralism  Monitor,  country  report  for  Sweden,  p.  10;  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Country 

Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 20. 

183  Council of Europe, Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists, Sweden.  
184  These  alerts  include  a  civil  lawsuit  filed  against  a  Swedish  consumer  publication,  a  warning  of  ‘unsafe 
content’ issued to a Swedish media outlet on social media and an online threat addressed to a TV newsroom. 
European Centre for Press and Media Freedom, Mapping Media Freedom. 

185  Contribution  from  the  Civil  Liberties  Union  for  Europe  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  9  and 
information received from the Media Ombudsman and the Swedish Union of Journalists in the context of the 
2024  country  visit.  In  this  context,  the  Swedish  Union of Journalists  provided  support  to  one  journalist  in 
judicial proceedings in October 2023 - Journalisten (2023) Calm when the lawsuit against Expo reporter was 
brought up in the district court.  

186  Mentioned  as  planned  in  the  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Country  Chapter  on  the  rule  of  law  situation  in 

Sweden, p. 20. 

187  Swedish Government (2023) Stricter view of crimes against journalists and certain other functions useful to 

society. 

188  Information received from the Swedish Media Publishers’ association and the Swedish Union of Journalists 
in the framework of the 2024 country visit; Swedish Union of Journalists (2023) Good news about increased 
criminal law protection for journalists. 

189  Swedish Government (2024) Strengthened protection for journalists against threats and hatred. 
190  As reported in the 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 20. 
191  Information received from the Swedish Media Publishers’ association in the framework of the 2024 country 

visit. 

192  Police (2023) Hate crimes and other crimes threatening democracy – final accounts, pp. 14-15. 

23 

 
 
Chancellor  of  Justice,  the  Parliamentary  Ombudsmen,  the  Equality  Ombudsman,  and  the 
Swedish Institute for Human Rights (which is the national human rights institution) play an 
important role in the system of checks and balances and for upholding fundamental rights. 

The  Government  is  examining  the  follow  up  to  an  all-party  committee  report  on  a 
possible  amendment  of  the  Constitution  to  deal  with  serious  peacetime  crises.  In 
November  2023,  an  all-party  parliamentary  committee  of  inquiry  presented  its  report  on 
whether there is a need to extend the Government’s competence to adopt measures with legal 
force outside the normal legislative procedures in severe peacetime crises193. The committee 
proposed specific rules on adopting measures in serious peacetime crises to be introduced in 
the  Constitution,  which  would  allow  the  Parliament,  if  needed,  to  grant  the  Government 
specific powers to adopt such measures194. The rules should be set up so that they can only be 
applied  when  there  is  broad  support  within  Parliament.  According  to  the  proposal,  an 
activation  decision  by  Parliament  would  be  required  for  the  Government  to  have  specific 
powers195; in exceptional cases, the activation decision could be taken by the Government196. 
The activation decision would allow, firstly, the Parliament to delegate regulatory power to 
the Government197 and, secondly, the Government, in exceptional cases, to be able to adopt 
time-limited  legal  provisions  without  legislative  authorisation,  which  could  be  amended  or 
repealed  by  Parliament198.  Nevertheless,  some  stakeholders  considered  that  stronger 
safeguards  were  needed,  in  relation  to  the  Government’s  powers  to  act  alone,  a  clearer 
definition of a severe peacetime crisis, and ensuring the adequate protection of fundamental 
rights in a severe peacetime crisis199.  

The  Government’s  handling  of  the  legislative  process  has  undergone  parliamentary 
review  as  stakeholders  and  constitutional  review  bodies  express  concerns  about  the 
acceleration  of  the  legislative  preparatory  work.  In  December  2023,  the  Constitution 
Committee of Parliament published a report on the scrutiny of the performance of ministerial 

193  Swedish Government (2023), Strengthened Constitutional Preparedness. 
194  Swedish Government (2023), Strengthened Constitutional Preparedness, pp. 34-35.  
195  For the Government to have specific powers under the proposal, an activation decision may be taken by the 
Parliament if this is required due to a serious peacetime crisis. The activation decision should be taken with 
at least three quarters of those voting. Ibidem. 

196  The  Government  could  take  an  activation  decision  only  if  it  is  not  possible  to  await  a  decision  from  the 
Parliament, for example if new legislative provisions are needed before the end of the day or in a situation 
where  the  Parliament  is  temporarily  unable  to  perform  its  duties.  The  Government’s  decision  must  be 
submitted to the Parliament for examination as soon as possible. Swedish Government (2023), Strengthened 
Constitutional Preparedness, pp. 34-35.  

197  The Parliament would be able to delegate regulatory power to the Government as under conditions of war, 
thereby  passing  acts  authorising  the  Government  to  adopt  provisions  on,  for  example,  purchases, 
employment,  restrictions  of  freedom  of  movement  and  other  matters  falling  within  the  scope  of  the 
mandatory area of legislation. Ibidem. 

198  This  would  be  intended  for  the  most  acute  stages  of  a  crisis,  when  there  is  an  urgent  need  for  new  legal 
provisions  and  waiting  for  Parliament’s  consideration  of  a  legislative  proposal  would  have  serious 
consequences. The Government’s legal provisions must apply for a maximum of three months and must be 
submitted for Parliament’s examination as soon as possible. The Parliament should be able to decide at any 
time that the Government should no longer have the specific powers to adopt provisions. Moreover, it would 
not lose any of its regulatory power and may always amend or repeal the Government’s provisions. Swedish 
Government (2023), Strengthened Constitutional Preparedness, pp. 34-35. 

199  See  in  particular  the  public  consultation  contributions  by  the  Swedish  National  Human  Rights  Institute, 
Sweden  Section  of  the  International  Commission  of  Jurists  and  the  Civil  Rights  Defenders.  Swedish 
Government (2023) Consultation of inquiry 2023:75 Strengthening constitutional preparedness.  

24 

 
 
duties  and  the  handling  of  government  business,  which,  among  others,  reviewed  the 
Government’s  planning  of  the  legislative  process200.  The  stages  reviewed  concerned  the 
formal  consultation  period,  the  time  for  review  by  the  Council  on  Legislation,  the  time 
between the Council of Legislation’s opinion and the Government’s decision on a proposal, 
and the time between the Government’s decision on the proposal and its entry into force201. 
Already  in  September  2023,  the  Government  announced  the  intention  to  shorten  inquiry202 
times  for  certain  urgent  legislative  initiatives  by  establishing  a  process  for  appointing  such 
prioritised  inquiries  led  by  experienced  investigators.  The  accelerated  pace  of  legislative 
initiatives and the risks it entails for well-considered and balanced legislative proposals was 
raised by a number of stakeholders203, the Swedish  Institute on Human Rights204 as well as 
the Council on Legislation205. In terms of constitutional scrutiny of legislative proposals, in 

200  In Sweden, only 6% of the surveyed companies perceive the quality of law-making and the frequent changes 
in  legislation  as  a  reason  for  the  lack  of  confidence  in  investment  protection.  Figure  56,  2024  EU  Justice 
Scoreboard. 

201  The Constitution Committee had carried out a similar review in 2007 and 2015. The report shows that public 
consultations of a few days did not occur at all in 2007 and 2015, but in a few isolated cases in 2023. The 
public  consultations  of  around  three  months  increased  from  33%  in  spring  2007  to  almost  50%  in  spring 
2023,  while  consultations  of less  than  three  months  decreased  from  48%  in  spring 2007  to  35%  in  spring 
2023. There was no public consultation in 2007 and 2015 lasting a few days, but there were three in 2023. 
The average length for the Council on Legislation’s review has varied without any clear trend; period of less 
than one month between the Council on Legislation’s opinion and the Government’s decisions on a proposal 
have become less common. A slight increase in cases with a shorter than normal period between the decision 
on a Government’s proposal and the entry into force of the  law  was observed. Swedish Parliament (2023) 
The scrutiny of the performance of ministerial duties and the handling of Government business pp. 2-3, 61-
63  and  information  received  from  the  Constitution  Committee  in  the  framework  of  the  country  visit  to 
Sweden.  

202  The process of preparation of laws starts with the inquiry stage, where the matter in question must first be 
analysed  and  evaluated,  normally  by  officials  from  the  responsible  ministry,  a  commission  of  inquiry, 
operating independently of the Government, or an inquiry chair (one-person inquiry). The inquiry draws up a 
draft legislative proposal. 2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden 
p. 10. 

203  The stakeholders pointed out that short consultation periods tend to often apply to proposals touching upon 
migration  and  fundamental  rights.  In  this  context,  they  also  referred  to  a  recent  example  of  a  consultation 
period  of  five  weeks  on  the  proposal  concerning  the  security  zones  over  the  Christmas  break  was  raised. 
Information  received  from  the  Civil  Rights  Defenders,  the  International  Commission  of  Jurists  and  the 
National  Forum  of  Voluntary  Organisations  in  the  framework  of  the  country  visit.  The  Confederation  of 
Swedish Industries also highlighted the faster legislative pace that had an impact on the preparatory phase 
and  the  quality  of  the  legislative  proposals.  Information  received  from  the  Confederation  of  Swedish 
Industries in the framework of the country visit.  

204  The Swedish National Human Rights Institute is concerned about the high pace of legislation, especially in 
criminal policy, despite the fact that it concerns complex legislation that could potentially be in conflict with 
Sweden's  international  commitments.  The  Institute  finds  it  important  that  such  legislation  is  carefully 
investigated  and  considered.  Contribution  from  the  Swedish  National  Human  Rights  Institute  as  part  of 
ENNHRI for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 30. 

205  In the opinion on the proposal on security zones, on 15 February 2024, the Council on Legislation pointed 
out  that  its  review  is  mandatory  in  legislative  matters  and  must  not  be  made  illusory  by  making  the  time 
between  its  opinion  and  the  submission  of  the  proposal  to  the  Parliament  so  short  that  the  Government 
cannot  be  assumed  to  have  had  any  real  opportunities  to  consider  its  opinion.  In  that  case,  the  legislative 
amendment  was  submitted  to  the  Council  on  Legislation  on  Thursday,  8  February  2024,  the  Council  on 
Legislation  convened  a  hearing  on  Monday,  12  February, and  the  Government  announced  the  intention  to 
submit  the  proposal  to  Parliament  on  20  February  so  that it  would  enter  into  force  on 28  March 2024.  In 
those  circumstances,  the  Council  on  Legislation  noted  that  its  opinion  appears  to  be  a  mere  formality. 
Council on Legislation (2024) Extract from the minutes of the meeting of 2024-02-15, pp. 2-3. In response 
to the statement of the Council on Legislation, the Government submitted the proposal to Parliament on 5 

25 

 
 
 
2023,  the  Government  submitted  87  legislative  proposals  to  the  Council  on  Legislation206, 
which gave a negative opinion or seriously questioned seven proposals207. In three of those 
cases,  the  Government  decided  to  nevertheless  submit  the  proposals  to  Parliament  and 
submitted arguments to the Parliament in support of the Government’s position208.  

The  National  Human  Rights  Institution  has  a  secured  funding  for  its  activities  and 
continues  working  towards  an  A-status  accreditation.  Following  a  period  of  uncertainty 
concerning  resources  for  its  continued  operation209,  the  Swedish  National  Human  Rights 
Institute now has clarity on its funding for the coming years210. The Institute is in the process 
of  seeking  an  A-status  accreditation  by  the  Global  Alliance  of  National  Human  Rights 
Institutions (GANHRI) and its application is expected to be reviewed and assessed in autumn 
2024211.  In  January  2024,  the  Institute  informed  the  Government  of  the  need  to  further 
enhance the implementation of the UN Paris Principles in view of a legal opinion from the 
OSCE  Office  for  Democratic  Institutions  and  Human  Rights  (ODIHR)  and  the  Institute’s 
application for international accreditation and membership in GANHRI212. The Parliamentary 
Ombudsmen consider having adequate resources and do not experience any obstacles in the 
cooperation with the public authorities within their remit or any general issues in the follow-
up on their recommendations213.  

March and moved the expected entry into force to 25 April 2024. Swedish Government (2024) Proposals for 
security zones are submitted to the Parliament.  

206  The Council of Legislation consists of members from the Supreme Court and the Supreme Administrative 
Court.  Its  examination  constitutes  an  important  ex-ante  constitutionality  check  of  draft  legislation.  The 
Government and the Parliament may choose not to follow its opinion, but courts may take this into account 
when subsequently assessing the norm in question.  

207  Information received from the Prime Minister’s Office in the framework of the country visit to Sweden. The 
Confederation  of  Swedish  Industries  findings  of  its  study  on  all  Council  of  Legislation  opinions  issued 
between 2006 and 2022, namely that almost every fourth opinion contained criticism, and in a fifth of these 
criticisms  were  sufficiently  serious  that  all  or  parts  of  the  proposal  must  have  been  considered  rejected. 
Confederation of Swedish Industries (2023) ‘The Legislative Council – counterweight or rounding mark? A 
review of the Legislative Council’s opinions 2006-2022’. 

208  In the four remaining cases, the Government submitted a proposal to the Parliament where the proposals had 
been  adjusted  in  accordance  with  the  views  of  the  Council  on  Legislation.  Written  contribution  received 
from the Prime Minister’s Office in the framework of the country visit to Sweden.  

209  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, pp. 23-24. 
210  Following the Governments budget proposal, the allocation to the Institute for 2024 is at similar levels as in 
previous years, with a forecast of a slight increase in 2025 and 2026. The Institute notes that the Government 
does not exempt it from the condition that applies to other Government authorities, namely the Government 
determining  how  many  and which  legislative  proposals  they  should provide  opinions  on.  In  the  Institute’s 
view this could potentially lead to an indirect control of resources and operations of the Institute, especially 
during the high legislative pace that currently prevails in Sweden.  Contribution from the Swedish National 
Human Rights Institute as part of ENNHRI for the 2024 Rule of Law Report input, pp. 7 and 14. 

211  Ibidem, p. 5 and information received from the Institute in the framework of the country visit to Sweden. 
212  The Swedish Institute for Human Rights called on the Government to strengthen the implementation of the 
UN Paris Principles to increase the prospects of the Institute's application for accreditation and membership 
in  GANHRI,  notably  to:  i)  assign  the  Parliament’s  2023  Freedom  and  Rights  Committee  to  draw  up 
proposals  for  a  constitutional  protection  of  the  Institute's  mission,  independence  and  anchoring  in  the  UN 
Paris Principles, ii) ensure Institute’s long-term funding in accordance with the Paris Principles on budgetary 
management, and iii) clarify the rules for appointing and dismissing the Institute's board members. Swedish 
Institute for Human Rights (2024) The need to strengthen the implementation of the Paris Principles.  

213  Information received from the Parliamentary Ombudsmen’s Office in the framework of the country visit to 
Sweden.  As  noted  in  the  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  the  rules  on  the  functioning  and  voting  of  the 
Parliamentary  Ombudsman  were  reviewed. After  the  vote  in  Parliament  in  June  2023,  the  amendments  of 

26 

 
 
 
On  1  January  2024,  Sweden  had  one  leading  judgment  of  the  European  Court  of 
Human  Rights  pending  implementation,  a  decrease  of  one  compared  to  the  previous 
year214.  At  that  time,  Sweden’s  rate  of  leading  judgments  from  the  past  10  years  that 
remained  pending  was  at  10%  (compared  to  17%  in  2023),  and  the  average  time  that  the 
judgments had been pending implementation was 2 years and 8 months (compared to 4 years 
and  1  month  in  2023)215.  The  leading  judgment  is  pending  implementation  for  6  years  and 
concerns  the  failure  of  Swedish  courts  to  exercise  jurisdiction  in  respect  of  defamation 
proceedings  concerning  insufficient  safeguards  in  bulk  signals-intelligence  gathering216.  As 
regards the respect of payment deadlines, on 31 December 2023 there were no cases awaiting 
confirmation  of  payments  (the  same  as  in  2022)217.  On  1  July2024,  the  number  of  leading 
judgments pending implementation had remained one218. 

The  civil  society  space  remains  open,  though  the  combined  effect  of  funding  cuts  and 
faster pace of consultations affects some segments of civil society. Sweden is considered to 
have  an  open  civic  space219.  However,  several  stakeholders220  have  expressed  concerns 
related to the increasing  uncertainty in funding, notably in view of the defunding of certain 
organisations221  and  funding  cuts  to  organisations  involved  in  development  cooperation222, 

legislative nature took effect in September 2023 and it is expected that the amended constitutional rules on 
the  work  of  the  Parliamentary  Ombudsmen  will  take  effect  in  January  2027.  While  the  stakeholders 
consulted were broadly supportive of the proposed modifications, including introducing a qualified majority 
for  Parliament’s  decisions  to  remove  an  ombudsman  from  office,  some  criticised  that  the  new  provisions 
deviate  from  the  Venice  Principles  because  they  do  not  provide  for  an  exhaustive  list  of  conditions  for  a 
removal, and extend the mandate period from four years to six years (with possibility of re-election for three 
years), instead of a preferably single seven-year mandate. 2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the 
rule  of  law  situation  in  Sweden,  p.  22  and  Swedish  Parliament  (2023)  Review  of  the  Parliamentary 
Ombudsman’s office. 

214  The adoption of necessary execution measures for a judgment by the European Court of Human Rights is 
supervised by the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe. It is the Committee’s practice to group 
cases against a State requiring similar execution measures, particularly general measures, and examine them 
jointly. The first case in the group is designated as the leading case as regards the supervision of the general 
measures and repetitive cases within the group can be closed when it is assessed that all possible individual 
measures needed to provide redress to the applicant have been taken. 

215  All figures are calculated by the European Implementation Network and are based on the number of cases 
that  are  considered  pending  at  the  annual  cut-off  date  of  1  January  2024.  See  the  Contribution  from  the 
European Implementation Network for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 8. 

216  Judgment  of  the  European  Court  of  Human  Rights  of  25  May  2021,  Centrum  for  Rattvisa  v.  Sweden, 

35252/08, pending implementation since 2021. 

217  Council  of  Europe  (2024),  Supervision  of  the  execution  of  judgments  decisions  of  the  European  Court  of 

Human Rights – 17th Annual Report of the Committee of Ministers – 2023, p. 138.  

218  Data according to the online database of the Council of Europe (HUDOC). 
219  According  to  the  rating  by  CIVICUS.  Ratings  are  on  a  five-category  scale  defined  as:  open,  narrowed, 

obstructed, repressed and closed. 

220  Information  received  from  the  Swedish  Institute  for  Human  Rights,  the  National  Forum  of  Voluntary 

Organisations, and Civil Rights Defenders in the framework of the country visit to Sweden. 

221  Ethnic organisations have been eligible for targeted state funding since the 1990s. Stakeholders referred to a 
Minister’s statement that “[s]ociety should not encourage ethnic segregation, but rather integration”, which 
they considered as implying that ethnic organisations are a tool for social exclusion. Contribution from the 
Civil  Liberties  Union  for  Europe  for  the  2024  Rule  of  Law  Report,  p.  16. According  to  the  Government, 
public funds set aside for integration measures must be used more efficiently and have a clearer integration 
objective.  The  Government  thus  proposed  the  phasing  out  the  special  support  to  ethnically  based 
organisations. As a result, the approximately EUR 1.6 million (SEK 18.9 million) annually set aside for state 
subsidy will be redistributed as of 2024. With the exception of the special conditions that apply to the five 
national minorities, the Government sees no reason why funds should be allocated to organisations based on 

27 

 
 
 
student  associations223,  or  consumer  associations224.  The  uncertainties  about  funding  come 
about in a wider context of a faster legislative pace, where particularly smaller civil society 
organisations  with  fewer  resources  find  it  increasingly  difficult  to  participate  in  public 
consultations  and  discourse225.  In  an  open  letter  published  on  12  April  2024,  nine 
organisations  – including civil  society umbrella  organisations and platforms,  an employers’ 
organisation  and  trade  unions  –  called  on  the  Government  to  refrain  from  limiting  civil 
society’s  operating  conditions226.  Some  stakeholders  noted  that  this  combined  effect  of 
accelerated  consultations  and  limited  resources  manifests  itself  clearly  with  regard  to 
organisations  most  affected  by  legislative  initiatives  touching  upon  crime  prevention  and 
fundamental  rights227.  A  further  concern  expressed  by  the  Swedish  Institute  for  Human 
Rights  and some stakeholders relates to  the perception of measures limiting  a space for the 
freedom of expression and civil disobedience protest228. In terms of safety of the civic space, 
stakeholders229 referred to an attack on an anti-fascist event in April 2024230, which led to a 

their member’s ethnicity. Swedish Government (2023) Labour market and integration reforms – Budget Bill 
for 2024. 

222  In December 2023, the Government outlined its intention to strengthen support for civil society and human 
rights and democracy defenders through development aid. However, civil society organisations considered 
that certain aspects would have the opposite effect. This concern was expressed in an open letter sent by 40 
Swedish civil society organisations to the Minister for International Development Cooperation. It referred to 
the Government’s plan to increase the self-financing contribution, which they considered would have severe 
repercussions  for  civil  society  organisations  involved  in  development  work.  They  had  not  been  directly 
consulted on that aspect and noted an absence of a comprehensive analysis of the proposal’s consequences. 
Contribution from the Civil Liberties Union for Europe for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 21. Information 
received from Forum in the framework of the country visit to Sweden, Aftonbladet (2023) Government cuts 
support  to  peace  organisations,  Forumciv  (2024)  “Open  letter  to  the  Government:  Don't  jeopardise  civil 
society's ability to operate”. Swedish Government (2023) Aid for a new era  - Freedom, empowerment and 
sustainable growth. 

223  SVT (2023) Government cuts funding to study associations: "Prioritising".  
224  According  to  the  Swedish  Consumer  Association,  in  2023,  the  Swedish  Consumer  Agency  distributed 
Government  grants  to  22  organisations  that  promote  consumers'  interests  just  over  SEK  14  million  in 
operating grants. For 2024, this allocation is reduced to SEK 7 million. to SEK 1.5 million in 2025 and SEK 
0 in 2026. Swedish Consumer Association (2023) Swedish Consumers' Association: "The budget is a blow 
to the consumer movement.  

225  Information  received  from  the  Swedish  Institute  for  Human  Rights,  the  National  Forum  of  Voluntary 

Organisations, and Civil Rights Defenders in the framework of the country visit to Sweden. 

226  The open letter was signed by LSU, Swedish Trade Union Confederation, the National Forum of Voluntary 
Organisations,  Concord  Sweden,  Give  Sweden,  Civos,  Fremia,  Forumciv,  and  Swedish  Confederation  of 
Professional Employees. The signatories called on the Government to i) refrain from carrying out inquiries 
in increasingly short period and to prioritise debate on legislative initiatives, ii) continue the dialogue with 
civil  society,  and  iii)  provide  it  with  reasonable  conditions  to  operate.  Altinget  (2024),  ‘You  erode  civil 
society, decision after decision, Ulf Kristersson’. 

227   Information  received  from  the  National  Forum  of  Voluntary  Organisations,  Civil  Rights  Defenders  and 
Swedish Section of the International Commission of Jurists in the framework of the country visit to Sweden. 
Contribution from the Civil Liberties Union for Europe for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, pp. 10.and 26. 
228  Stakeholders have referred to the stricter prosecution of climate  protesters for instances of protest through 
civil disobedience. Information received from the Swedish Institute for Human Rights, the National Forum 
of Voluntary Organisations, and Civil Rights Defenders in the framework of the country visit to Sweden. The 
Civil Rights Defenders and International Commission of Jurists also referred to the civil society engagement 
demonstrations  related  to  the  situation  in  the  Middle  East,  held  across  Sweden  and  the  potential  negative 
repercussions stemming from, for example, the extension of anti-terrorism legislation that took effect in May 
2023. Contribution from the Civil Liberties Union for Europe for the 2024 Rule of Law Report, p. 22. 

229  Written  contribution  from  Civil  Rights  Defenders  and  National  Forum  of  Voluntary  Organisations  (2024) 

Forum: “The attack on a political meeting in Gubbängen must not be considered an isolated incident”. 

28 

 
 
national  political  debate231  and  the  Centre  against  Violent  Extremism  qualifying  it  as  an 
attack against democracy232.  

There  was  some  further  progress  on  the  on-going  reforms  to  the  legal  framework  for 
the  funding  and  operation  of  civil  society  organisations.  The  2023  Rule  of  Law  Report 
recommended to  Sweden ‘‘continue efforts to  ensure that the on-going  reforms  to  the legal 
framework for the funding and operation of civil society organisations do not unduly affect 
civil  society  engagement’’233.  On  3  April  2024,  the  Government  submitted  a  revised234 
proposal to Parliament on a so-called ‘democracy condition’235, which is planned to enter into 
force on 1 January 2025. The proposal,  foresees, among  others, that ‘democracy condition’ 
should  apply  to  support  from  the  General  Inheritance  Fund  and  support  for  religious 
communities,  and  in  general  to  other  government  grants  for  civil  society236.  Some 
stakeholders237  have  welcomed  that  the  Government,  after  dialogue  with  civil  society,  has 
clarified that individual violations or actions of individual members and participants should 
not trigger a liability for an entire organisation238, but they consider that the key uncertainties 
remain  on  the  implementation  of  the  law,  notably  the  transparency  of  an  organisation’s 
assessment  and  an  independent  review239.  The  Swedish  Institute  for  Human  Rights  has 
highlighted  the  risks  inherent  in  the  implementation  of  the  law,  such  as  arbitrariness  and 
discrimination of certain stakeholders240. In parallel, on 14 March 2024, the Government has 

230  Masked individuals broke into  a theatre room and threw  a smoke bomb during the event organised by the 
Left  Party  and  the  Green  Party,  with  participation  of  an  anti-fascist  civil  society  organisation.  Several 
individuals were taken to hospital by ambulance for checks after inhaling smoke. SVT (2024)  

231  Swedish Government (2024) Government gathers parliamentary parties after attack on political meeting in 

Stockholm. 

232  After  the  attack,  the  head  of  the  Centre  against  Violent  Extremism,  which  operates  within  the  National 
Council for Crime Prevention, considered the incident as a modus operandi to disrupt the democratic order. 
SVT (2024) Expert on the attack in Gubbängen: "Creates anxiety and spreads fear". 

233  2023 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden,  pp. 2 and 24-25. In the 
2023  Rule  of  Law  Report,  the  Commission  concluded  that  some  progress  had  been  made  on  the 
recommendation. 

234  In November 2022, the Government withdrew the previous legislative proposal. 2023 Rule of Law Report, 

Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 24. 

235  The  democracy  condition  would  aim  to  prevent  distributing  public  funding  to  activities  which  are  not 

compatible with society's fundamental values. Ibidem. 

236  Swedish Government (2024), State support to religious communities and civil society - uniform and legally 

certain conditions. 

237  National Forum of Voluntary Organisations, Fremia and Sweden’s Christian Council have set out their views 
in a debate article. Altinget (2024) ‘Significant risks also in the new proposal for democratic conditions’. 
238  Civil society organisations had cautioned on the previous version of the proposal against potential risks for 
civil  society  engagement,  such  as  a  lack  of  clarity  on  responsibility  for  action  of  organisations’ 
representatives and the need to preserve the organisations’ ability to engage in civil disobedience. 2022 Rule 
of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 19. 

239  Altinget  (2024)  ‘Significant  risks  also  in  the  new  proposal  for  democratic  conditions’  and  written 
contribution received from the National Forum of Voluntary Organisations in the framework of the country 
visit to Sweden 

240  In  this  context,  the  Swedish  Institute  for  Human  Rights  considered  that  there  were  significant  risks  of 
discrimination  against  Muslim  communities  and  associations. The Institute  also  referred  to  the  assessment 
carried out by a civil society organisation, which noted improvements, among other, related to the clarity of 
the applicable provisions and a more proportionate approach (such as, actions taken by the organisation to 
distance itself from certain conduct or taking measures to prevent the conduct from repeating). However, it 
was also noted that support to a civil society organisation could be affected based on the actions of one of its 
partner organisations, or a representative of the partner organisation. Written contribution from the Swedish 

29 

 
 
 
tasked the National Council for Crime Prevention to prepare for the establishment of a central 
support  function241  at  its  Centre  against  Violent  Extremism.  The  purpose  of  the  support 
function is to prevent public funds from being allocated to violent extremism and other anti-
democratic  environments242.  As  for  the  pre-legislative  proposal  to  ban  racist  organisations 
through new criminal legislation243, the follow-up to the public consultation replies remains 
under assessment244. Against the above background, there was some further progress on the 
recommendation made in the 2023 Rule of Law Report. 

Institute of Human Rights in the framework of the country visit to Sweden and SMR (2024) Analysing the 
future conditions of democracy. 

241  An earlier report had already proposed a new support function within the Swedish Centre for Prevention of 
Violent Extremism to assist decision-making bodies that provide public funding. The support function would 
assist  decision-making  bodies  (e.g.  agencies)  that  distribute  public  funds  or  otherwise  review  publicly 
funded  activities  with  in-depth  reviews  of  how  activities  relate  to  violent  extremism  and  other  anti-
democratic  environments.  2022  Rule  of  Law  Report,  Country  Chapter  on  the  rule  of  law  situation  in 
Sweden, p. 19.  

242  Swedish Government (2024), Mandate to prepare for the establishment of a support function at the Centre 

against Violent Extremism. 

243  2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation in Sweden, p. 20.  
244  Information received from the Ministry of Justice in the framework of the country visit to Sweden.  

30 

 
 
Annex I: List of sources in alphabetical order* 

* The list of contributions received in the context of the consultation for the 2024 Rule of Law report 
can 
https://commission.europa.eu/publications/2024-rule-law-report-targeted-
found 
stakeholder-consultation_en.  

be 

at 

Aftonbladet  (2023)  Government  cuts  support  to  peace  organisations  (Regeringen  kapar  stöd  till 
fredsorganisationer) 
https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/69E070/regeringen-kapar-stod-till-
fredsorganisationer. 

(2024)  Police  chief: 

Aftonbladet 
(Polischef: 
Offentlighetsprincipen  är  omodern)  https://www.aftonbladet.se/nyheter/a/mQJvkl/polischefen-vill-
andra-i-grundlagen-ar-omodern. 

the  principle  of  openness 

is  outdated 

Agency  for  Public  Management  (2023),  New  challenges  and  old  problems  –  Corruption  in 
municipalities and regions, https://www.statskontoret.se/in-english/publications/2023/new-challenges-
and-old-problems--corruption-in-municipalities-and-regions/.  

Agency  for  Public  Management  (2023),  Step  by  step  –  the  authorities'  work  against  corruption  is 
under  development.  Final  report  (Steg  för  steg  –  myndigheternas  arbete  mot  korruption  är  under 
utveckling. 
https://www.statskontoret.se/publicerat/publikationer/publikationer-
2023/steg-for-steg--myndigheternas-arbete-mot-korruption-ar-under-utveckling-slutrapport/. 

Slutrapport), 

Altinget  (2024),  ‘You  erode  civil  society,  decision  after  decision,  Ulf  Kristersson’  (Du  urholkar 
civilsamhället,  beslut  efter  beslut,  Ulf  Kristersson)  https://www.altinget.se/civilsamhalle/artikel/du-
urholkar-civilsamhallet-beslut-efter-beslut-ulf-
kristersson?SNSubscribed=true&ref=newsletter&refid=altinget-se-civilsamhalle-
259&utm_campaign=Altinget%20SE%20-
%20Civilsamh%C3%A4lle&utm_content=Altinget%20SE%20-
%20Civilsamh%C3%A4lle&utm_medium=e-mail&utm_source=nyhedsbrev. 

Altinget  (2024)  ‘Significant  risks  also  in  the  new  proposal  for  democratic  conditions’  (Betydande 
risker 
demokrativillkor) 
nya 
https://www.altinget.se/civilsamhalle/artikel/betydande-risker-aven-i-nya-forslaget-till-
demokrativillkor. 

förslaget 

även 

till 

i 

Board  for  the  Examination  of  Transitionary  Restrictions  for  Ministers  and  State  Secretaries  (2024) 
Report  on  the activities  of  the  Board  for  reviewing  the  transfer restrictions  of ministers  and  certain 
other  officials  in  2023  (Verksamhetsredogörelse  för  Nämnden  för  prövning  av  statsråds  och  vissa 
andra befattningshavares övergångsrestriktioner 2023), https://data.riksdagen.se/fil/8EC19469-C8F7-
41C3-B892-CA5A6F01F20B.  

Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom,  Monitoring Media Pluralism in the Digital Era in 
the year 2023 (2024) Country report: Sweden. 

Civil Liberties Union for Europe (2024), Contribution from Civil Liberties Union for the 2024 Rule of 
Law Report. 

Council of Europe: Platform to promote the protection of journalism and safety of journalists. 

Confederation  of  Swedish  Industries  (2023)  ‘The  Legislative  Council  –  counterweight  or  rounding 
mark?  A  review  of  the  Legislative  Council’s  opinions  2006-2022’  (Lagrådet  -  motvikt  eller 
rundningsmärke? 
2006-2022), 
av 
https://www.svensktnaringsliv.se/sakomraden/foretagsjuridik/lagradet-motvikt-eller-rundningsmarke-
en-granskning-av-lagradets_1194946.html. 

granskning 

Lagrådets 

yttrande 

En 

Council  on  Legislation  (2024)  Extract  from  the  minutes  of  the  meeting  of  2024-02-15  (Utdrag  ur 
protokoll 
https://www.lagradet.se/wp-
content/uploads/2024/02/Sakerhetszoner.pdf. 

sammanträde 

2024-02-15), 

vid 

31 

 
Dagens Juridik (2024), All crimes must be reported, it is the only way to get the correct picture of the 
situation 
läget), 
https://www.dagensjuridik.se/nyheter/all-brott-maste-anmalas-det-ar-enda-sattet-att-fa-ratt-
bild-av-laget/. 

(Alla  brott  måste  anmälas,  det  är  enda  sättet  att 

få  rätt  bild  av 

Dagens  Juridik  (2024)  Bar  Association:  Welcomes  investigation  -  but  'criminal  lawyers'  are  an 
anomaly 
en 
är 
anomali)https://www.dagensjuridik.se/nyheter/samfundet-valkomnar-utredning-men-kriminella-
advokater-ar-en-anomali/. 

(Samfundet:  Välkomnar 

‘Kriminella 

advokater’ 

utredning 

–  men 

European  Centre 
https://www.mappingmediafreedom.org/. 

Press 

for 

and  Media 

Freedom,  Mapping  Media 

Freedom 

Euromedia Ownership Monitor (2022) Country report by Jonas Ohlsson, Tobias Lindberg and Ulrika 
Facht https://media-ownership.eu/findings/countries/sweden/. 

European Commission (2020), 2020 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Sweden.  

European Commission (2021), 2021 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Sweden.  

European Commission (2022), 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Sweden.  

European Commission (2023), 2022 Rule of Law Report, Country Chapter on the rule of law situation 
in Sweden.  

European Commission (2022), 2022 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

European Commission (2023), 2023 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

European Commission (2024), 2024 EU Justice Scoreboard. 

European Parliament (2023), Flash Eurobarometer: News & Media Survey 2023. 

European Platform of Regulatory Authorities (2024) The Swedish Agency for the Media: merger of 
the  MPRT  and  the  SMC  https://www.epra.org/news_items/the-swedish-media-authority-merger-of-
the-mprt-and-the-smc. 

EPPO  (2024),  More  effective  law  enforcement  through  Sweden’s  participation  in  EPPO, 
https://www.government.se/press-releases/2024/01/more-effective-law-enforcement-through-
swedens-participation-in-eppo/. 

Forumciv (2024) ‘Open letter to the Government: Don't jeopardise civil society's ability to operate’ 
(Öppet  brev 
verka) 
att 
https://www.forumciv.org/sv/aktuellt/oppet-brev-till-regeringen-aventyra-inte-civilsamhallets-
mojligheter-att-verka. 

civilsamhällets  möjligheter 

regeringen:  Äventyra 

inte 

till 

Göteborgs Posten (2023) Court employee sentenced for leaking to a gang (Anställd vid domstol döms 
för 
till  gang),  https://www.gp.se/nyheter/sverige/anstalld-vid-domstol-doms-for-lacka-till-
gang.9974f4e9-ccee-5c0a-98f9-8be2502ebc1e. 

läcka 

Institute for Analytical Sociology Dissertation Series No. 5. 

Journalisten (2023) Calm when the lawsuit against Expo reporter was brought up in the district court 
tingsrätten) 
(Lugnt 
https://www.journalisten.se/nyheter/lugnt-nar-stamning-mot-expo-reporter-togs-upp-i-tingsratten/. 

Expo-reporter 

stämning 

togs 

mot 

upp 

när 

i 

Mediadelcom 
(2023)  Recommendations 
https://www.mediadelcom.eu/publications/d55-recommendations/. 

for  media 

governance 

- 

Policy  Brief 

32 

 
National Council on Crime Prevention (2024), Enablers of Criminal Networks  – on local, state and 
private  sector  enablers  (Möjliggörare  för  kriminella nätverk  -  Om  möjliggörare  i  kommunal,  statlig 
och  privat 
sektor),  https://bra.se/publikationer/arkiv/publikationer/2024-03-01-mojliggorare-for-
kriminella-natverk.html. 

National Council on Crime Prevention (2024), Unauthorized influence exerted by actors and groups 
threatening the system (Otillåten påverkan som utövas av systemhotande aktörer och grupperingar), 
https://bra.se/om-bra/projekt-och-uppdrag/projekt/2023-04-18-otillaten-paverkan-som-utovas-av-
systemhotande-aktorer-och-grupperingar.html. 

National  Council  on  Crime  Prevention  (2023),  Vulnerability  of  elected  representatives  -  Interim 
Report:  Unauthorised  interference  by  system-threatening  actors  (Utsatthet  bland  förtroendevalda. 
Delredovisning: Otillåten påverkan av systemhotande aktörer). 

National Courts Administration (2023) Judgement in case against accused court employee (Dom i mål 
mot 
https://www.domstol.se/nyheter/2023/12/dom-i-mal-mot-atalad-
åtalad 
domstolsanstalld/.  

domstolsanställd) 

Courts 

Annual 
Administration 
National 
https://www.domstol.se/globalassets/filer/gemensamt-innehall/styrning-och-
riktlinjer/arsredovisning/arsredovisning_2023_sverigesdomstolar.pdf. 

(2024), 

report 

2023, 

National Courts Administration (2024) Budgetary proposal 2024-2026 (Budgetunderlag 2024-2026) 
https://www.domstol.se/globalassets/filer/gemensamt-innehall/styrning-och-
riktlinjer/budgetunderlag/budgetunderlag_20242026_sverigesdomstolar.pdf. 

National  Courts  Administration  (2024),  Final  report:  Assignment  to  carry  out  communication 
(Slutrapport  Uppdrag  att  genomföra 
activities  ahead  of 
kommunikationsinsatser 
2023), 
nämndemannavalet 
https://www.domstol.se/domstolsverket/statistik-och-handlingar/rapporter/slutrapport-uppdrag-att-
genomfora-kommunikationsinsatser-infor-namndemannavalet-2023/. 

the  2023  council  elections 

inför 

National  Courts  Administration  (2024)  The  National  Courts  Administration  wants  to  see  expanded 
possibilities  for  register  checks  (Domstolsverket  vill  se  utökade  möjligheter  till  registerkontroller), 
https://www.domstol.se/domstolsverket/nyheter/2024/03/domstolsverket-vill-se-utokade-mojligheter-
till-registerkontroller/. 

National  Courts  Administration  (2024)  The  National  Courts  Administration  comments  on  the 
Ombudsman's 
kritik) 
https://www.domstol.se/domstolsverket/nyheter/2024/06/domstolsverket-kommenterar-jos-kritik/. 

(Domstolsverket 

kommenterar 

criticism 

JO:s 

National  Forum  of  Voluntary  Organisations  (2024)  Forum:  ‘The  attack  on  a  political  meeting  in 
Gubbängen  must  not  be  considered  an  isolated  incident’  (Forum:  ‘Attacken  mot  ett  politiskt  möte i 
Gubbängen får inte betraktas som en isolerad händelse’), https://socialforum.se/forum-attacken-mot-
ett-politiskt-mote-i-gubbangen-far-inte-betraktas-som-en-isolerad-handelse/. 

Ordinance (2019:1256) on Prior Examination of Public Services Companies (Förordning (2019:1256) 
om 
företagen) 
https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/svensk-forfattningssamling/forordning-
20191256-om-uppgifter-for_sfs-2019-1256/. 

förhandsprövning 

service- 

tjänster 

public 

hos 

av 

Parliamentary 
https://www.jo.se/app/uploads/2024/02/ambetsberattelsen-2023.pdf. 

Ombudsmen 

(2024) 

Annual 

Report 

2023, 

Parliamentary  Ombudsmen  (2024)  Ombudsman's  review  of  the  introduction  of  operational  support 
Digital  Criminal  Case  Decision  (DiBa)  (JO:s  granskning  av  Domstolsverkets  införande  av 
verksamhetsstödet  Digitalt  brottmålsavgörande  (DiBa))  https://www.jo.se/besluten/jos-granskning-
av-domstolsverkets-inforande-av-verksamhetsstodet-digitalt-brottmalsavgorande-diba/. 

33 

 
Police  (2023)  Hate  crimes  and  other  crimes  threatening  democracy  –  final  accounts  (Hatbrott  och 
andra brott som hotar demokratin - Slutredovisning). 

Reporters without Borders (2024), 2024 World Press Freedom Index 

SMR (2024) Analysing the future conditions of democracy (Analys av kommande demokrativillkor), 
https://www.smc.global/nyheter/analys-av-kommande-demokrativillkor/.  

Sveriges  Radio  (2024)  Prosecutor:  ‘‘Gangs  are  avid  consumers  of  the  principle  of  openness’’ 
(Åklagare: 
offentlighetsprincipen’’), 
https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/aklagare-gangen-ar-flitiga-konsumenter-av-offentlighetsprincipen. 

konsumenter 

‘‘Gängen 

flitiga 

av 

är 

Sveriges Radio (2024) National Police Commissioner: Keep investigations secret to a greater extent 
(Rikspolischefen: 
utsträckning) 
utredningar 
https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/rikspolischefen-hemlighall-utredningar-i-storre-utstrackning. 

Hemlighåll 

större 

i 

Sveriges  Radio  (2024)  Government:  it  will  be  a  crime  to  deny  the  Holocaust  (Regeringen:  Ska  bli 
brottsligt  att  förneka  Förintelsen)  https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/regeringen-ska-bli-brottsligt-att-
forneka-forintelsen. 

Sveriges  Radio  (2024)  Prosecutor:  ‘‘The  gangs  are  diligent  consumers  of  the  principle  of  public 
access to official documents’’ (Åklagare: ‘‘Gängen är flitiga konsumenter av offentlighetsprincipen’’) 
https://sverigesradio.se/artikel/aklagare-gangen-ar-flitiga-konsumenter-av-offentlighetsprincipen. 

Svenska  Dagbladet  (2024)  Strömmer:  Risk  of  more  acts  of  violence  when  investigations  become 
public 
offentliga), 
våldsdåd 
https://www.svd.se/a/onX4zR/gunnar-strommer-risk-for-valdsdad-nar-utredningar-blir-offentliga. 

utredningar 

(Strömmer: 

Risk 

blir 

fler 

när 

för 

Svenska Dagbladet (2024) ‘The government strikes at free thinking’’ (‘‘Regeringen slår mot det fria 
tänkandet’’) https://www.svd.se/a/jlo6rb/nils-funcke-regeringen-slar-mot-det-fria-tankandet. 

SVT  (2023)  Government  cuts  funding  to  study  associations:  ‘Prioritising’  (Regeringen  drar  ner  på 
anslag  till  studieförbund:  ‘Prioriterar’)  https://www.svt.se/kultur/regeringen-drar-ner-pa-anslag-till-
studieforbund--h8qg0o. 

SVT  (2024)  Expert  on  the  attack  in  Gubbängen:  "Creates  anxiety  and  spreads  fear"  (Experten  om 
attacken 
rädsla”), 
https://www.svt.se/nyheter/lokalt/stockholm/experten-om-attacken-i-gubbangen-skapar-oro-och-
sprider-radsla. 

Gubbängen: 

”Skapar 

sprider 

och 

oro 

i 

Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media  (2024)  Welcome  to  our  new  website  (Välkommen  till  vår  nya 
webbplats)  https://www.mediemyndigheten.se/nyhetsrum/nyhetslista/2024/valkommen-till-var-nya-
webbplats/. 

Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media  (2024)  218  applications  –  new  media  subsidies  (218  ansökningar  - 
nya  mediestödet)  https://mediemyndigheten.se/nyhetsrum/nyhetslista/2024/218-ansokningar---nya-
mediestodet/. 

Swedish Consumer Association (2023) Swedish Consumers' Association: ‘The budget is a blow to the 
consumer  movement’  (Sveriges  Konsumenter:  ‘Budgeten  ett  dråpslag  mot  konsumentrörelsen’) 
https://newsroom.notified.com/sverigeskonsumenter/posts/pressreleases/sveriges-konsumenter-
budgeten-ett-drapslag-mo. 

Swedish  Economic  Crime  Authority  (2023),  Annual  Report,  2023  (Årsredovisningar  2023), 
https://www.ekobrottsmyndigheten.se/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/ebm-arsredovisning-2023.pdf. 

Swedish Government (2024) A decisive step towards Swedish participation in EPPO (Ett avgörande 
steg  mot  svenskt  deltagande  i  Eppo),  https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/06/ett-
avgorande-steg-mot-svenskt-deltagande-i-
eppo/#:~:text=Regeringen%20har%20beslutat%20att%20anm%C3%A4la,mot%20ekonomisk%20bro
ttslighet%20i%20EU.  

34 

 
Swedish  Government  (2024)  Assignment  to  strengthen  the  security  work  within  Sweden's  Court 
(Uppdrag 
Domstolar) 
säkerhetsarbetet 
https://www.regeringen.se/regeringsuppdrag/2023/06/uppdrag-att-forstarka-sakerhetsarbetet-inom-
sveriges-domstolar/. 

förstärka 

Sveriges 

inom 

att 

Swedish  Government  (2024),  Assignment  to  study  how  companies  are  used  as  criminal  tools  by 
criminals 
(Uppdrag  att  studera  hur  bolag  används  som  brottsverktyg  av  kriminella), 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/04/uppdrag-att-studera-hur-bolag-anvands-som-
brottsverktyg-av-kriminella/. 

Swedish  Government 
https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/e1afccd2ec7e42f6af3b651091df139c/budgetpropositionen-
for-2024-hela-dokumentet-prop.2023241.pdf. 

(2024),  Budget  Bill 

(Budgetpropositionen 

for  2024 

för  2024) 

Swedish  Government  (2024),  Inquiry  terms  of  reference,  Measures  under  criminal  law  against 
corruption  and  official  misconduct  (Straffrättsliga  åtgärder  mot  korruption  och  tjänstefel), 
(Dir.2024:14).). https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/kommittedirektiv/2024/02/dir.-202414. 

Swedish  Government  (2024)  Government  gathers  parliamentary  parties  after  attack  on  political 
meeting in Stockholm (Regeringen samlar riksdagspartierna efter angreppet mot ett politiskt möte i 
Stockholm), 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/05/regeringen-samlar-
riksdagspartierna-efter-angreppet-mot-ett-politiskt-mote-i-stockholm/. 

Swedish Government (2024) Strengthened protection for certain police employees (Stärkt skydd för 
vissa  polisanställda),  https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/lagradsremiss/2024/02/starkt-
skydd-for-vissa-polisanstallda/. 

Swedish  Government  (2024),  Resilience  and  action  -  a  national  strategy  against  organised  crime 
(Motståndskraft  och  handlingskraft  -  en  nationell  strategi  mot  organiserad  brottslighet), 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/skrivelse/2024/02/20232467/. 

Swedish  Government  (2024),  The  government  submits  a  bill  on  Swedish  participation  in  the 
European  Public  Prosecutor's  Office  (EPPO)  (Regeringen  överlämnar  proposition  om  svenskt 
deltagande 
(Eppo)), 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/03/regeringen-overlamnar-proposition-om-
svenskt-deltagande-i-den-europeiska-aklagarmyndigheten-eppo/. 

åklagarmyndigheten 

Europeiska 

den 

I 

Swedish  Government (2024),  Mandate to  prepare  for  the establishment of a  support  function at the 
Centre  against  Violent  Extremism  (Uppdrag  att  vidta  förberedelser  inför  inrättandet  av  en 
stödfunktion 
extremism), 
https://www.regeringen.se/regeringsuppdrag/2024/04/uppdrag-att-vidta-forberedelser-infor-
inrattandet-av-en-stodfunktion-vid-center-mot-valdsbejakande-extremism/. 

våldsbejakande 

Center 

mot 

vid 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  A  strengthened  protection  for  personal  data  in  the  area  of  freedom  of 
press  and expression  (Ett  förstärkt skydd för  personuppgifter  på tryck-  och  yttrandefrihetsområdet), 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/kommittedirektiv/2023/10/dir.-2023145. 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  Aid  for  a  new  era  -  Freedom,  empowerment  and  sustainable  growth 
(Bistånd 
tillväxt) 
Frihet, 
https://www.regeringen.se/rapporter/2023/12/bistand-for-en-ny-era---frihet-egenmakt-och-hallbar-
tillvaxt/. 

egenmakt 

hållbar 

och 

era 

för 

ny 

en 

– 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  Assignment  to  strengthen  the  security  work  within  the  Prosecution 
Åklagarmyndigheten), 
Service 
https://www.regeringen.se/regeringsuppdrag/2023/11/uppdrag-att-forstarka-sakerhetsarbetet-inom-
aklagarmyndigheten/. 

säkerhetsarbetet 

(Uppdrag 

förstärka 

inom 

att 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  Investigation  proposes  new  law  on  anonymous  witnesses  (Utredning 
vittnen) 
föreslår 

anonyma 

lag 

om 

ny 

35 

 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2023/10/utredning-foreslar-ny-lag-om-anonyma-
vittnen/. 

Swedish Government (2024), State support to religious communities and civil society - uniform and 
legally certain conditions (Statens stöd till trossamfund och civilsamhället – enhetliga och rättssäkra 
villkor) https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/proposition/2024/04/prop-202324119/. 

Swedish Government (2023), Transitionary restrictions - increased trust in public activities. Report of 
the Inquiry into transitional restrictions in public activities (Övergångsrestriktioner – ökat förtroende 
för  offentlig  verksamhet.  Betänkande  av  Utredningen  om  övergångsrestriktioner  i  offentlig 
verksamhet), 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/statens-offentliga-
2023:45, 
utredningar/2023/08/sou-202345/.  

SOU 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  Consultation  of 
inquiry  2023:75  Strengthening  constitutional 
beredskap), 
2023:75 
preparedness 
konstitutionell 
https://www.regeringen.se/remisser/2023/12/remiss-av-sou-202375-starkt-konstitutionell-beredskap/. 

(Remiss 

Stärkt 

SOU 

av 

Swedish  Government  (2023),  A  coordinated  registry  check  for  procuring  authorities  and  units  (En 
för  upphandlande  myndigheter  och  enheter),  SOU  2023:43, 
samordnad 
https://www.regeringen.se/remisser/2023/09/remiss-av-sou-202343-en-samordnad-registerkontroll-
for-upphandlande-myndigheter-och-enheter/. 

registerkontroll 

Swedish  Government  (2023),  Enhanced  transparency  in  the  financing  of  political  parties  (Förstärkt 
insyn 
(Dir.2023:88), 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/kommittedirektiv/2023/06/dir.-202388. 

finansieringen 

transparens 

politiska 

partier), 

och 

av 

i 

Swedish  Government  (2022)  Revocation  of  broadcasting  licence  for  reasons  of  Swedish  security 
säkerhet)  Ds  2022:20 
(Återkallelse  av 
https://regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/departementsserien-och-promemorior/2022/08/ds-202220/. 

sändningstillstånd  med  hänsyn 

till  Sveriges 

Swedish Government (2022) Subordination of the Swedish Media Council to the Swedish Press and 
Broadcasting Authority (Inordnande av Statens medieråd i Myndigheten för press, radio och tv, Ds 
2022:17)  Ds 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/departementsserien-och-
promemorior/2022/08/ds-202217/. 

2022:17 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  The  public  consultation  on  the  report  ‘Strengthening  the  protection  of 
democracy  and  independence  of  the  judiciary’  (Remiss  av  SOU  2023:12  Förstärkt  skydd  för 
demokratin och domstolarnas oberoende) https://www.regeringen.se/remisser/2023/04/remiss-av-sou-
202312-forstarkt-skydd-for-demokratin-och-domstolarnas-oberoende/. 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  Government  ensures  the  independence  of  public  service  broadcasters 
from  party  politics  (Regeringen  säkerställer  public  service-företagens  oberoende  från  partipolitik) 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2023/10/regeringen-sakerstaller-public-service-
foretagens-oberoende-fran-partipolitik/. 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  Regulation  with  instructions  for  the  Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media 
(Förordning 
Mediemyndigheten) 
https://svenskforfattningssamling.se/sites/default/files/sfs/2023-12/SFS2023-844.pdf. 

instruktion 

med 

för 

Swedish Government (2023) Strengthening the protection of personal data in the area of freedom of 
the  press  and  freedom  of  expression  (Ett  förstärkt  skydd  för  personuppgifter  på  tryck-  och 
yttrandefrihetsområdet) 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-
2023:145 
dokument/kommittedirektiv/2023/10/dir.-2023145. 

Dir. 

Swedish Government (2023) Swedish National Security for Broadcasts on the Air (Sveriges säkerhet i 
etern) 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/statens-offentliga-
utredningar/2023/10/sou-202363/. 

2023:63 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  Referral  of  the  report  Sweden’s  security  in  the  ether  (SOU  2023:63) 
2023:63)) 
(Remiss 

betänkandet 

säkerhet 

Sveriges 

(SOU 

etern 

av 

i 

36 

 
https://www.regeringen.se/remisser/2023/12/remiss-av-betankandet-sveriges-sakerhet-i-etern-sou-
202363/. 

freedom  of  expression 

Swedish Government (2024) Enhanced protection of personal data in the area of freedom of the press 
tryck-  och 
and 
2023:145 
yttrandefrihetsområdet), 
https://www.regeringen.se/contentassets/7bad0e9094234e33954483f8c31c2edc/ett-forstarkt-skydd-
for-personuppgifter-pa-tryck--och-yttrandefrihetsomradet-dir-2023145/. 

för  personuppgifter  på 

förstärkt 

skydd 

(Ett 

Dir 

föreslår 

Swedish  Government  (2024)  Investigators  propose  time-limited  development  support  for  journals 
(Utredare 
tidskrifter) 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/03/utredare-foreslar-tidsbegransat-
utvecklingsstod-till-
tidskrifter/#:~:text=Den%208%20juni%202023%20gav,bedriver%20f%C3%B6rdjupande%20samh%
C3%A4lls%2D%20och%20nyhetsjournalistik. 

utvecklingsstöd 

tidsbegränsat 

till 

Swedish  Government  (2024)  The  Swedish  Agency  for  the  Media  is  tasked  with  implementing  a 
national  initiative  to  strengthen  media  and  information  literacy  in  AI-driven  disinformation 
(Mediemyndigheten  ges  i  uppdrag  att  genomföra  nationell  satsning  för  stärkt  medie-  och 
informationskunnighet 
desinformation) 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/03/mediemyndigheten-ges-i-uppdrag-att-
genomfora-nationell-satsning-for-starkt-medie--och-informationskunnighet-inom-ai-driven-
desinformation/. 

AI-driven 

inom 

Swedish Government (2024) Proposals for security zones are submitted to the Parliament (Förslag om 
säkerhetszoner 
riksdagen) 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/03/forslag-om-sakerhetszoner-overlamnas-till-
riksdagen/.  

överlämnas 

till 

tog 

Swedish Government (2024) The Minister of Culture received the Public Service Committee’s report 
betänkande) 
public 
(Kulturministern 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/05/kulturministern-tog-emot-public-service-
kommittens-
betankande/#:~:text=Den%2013%20maj%20tog%20kulturminister,uppdraget%20under%20tillst%C3
%A5ndsperioden%202026%E2%80%932033. 

service-kommitténs 

emot 

Swedish Government (2024) Strengthened protection for journalists against threats and hatred (Stärkt 
skydd för journalister mot hot och hat) https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/05/starkt-
skydd-for-journalister-mot-hot-och-
hat/#:~:text=Regeringen%20har%20beslutat%20om%20insatser,som%20beh%C3%B6ver%20st%C3
%B6d%20eller%20skydd. 

Swedish Government (2024), Input from Sweden for the 2024 Rule of Law Report. 

Swedish Union of Journalists (2023) ‘‘Shocking news’’ – 180 positions disappear at SR (‘‘Chockartat 
besked’’  –  180  tjänster försvinner  på SR)  https://www.sjf.se/aktuellt/202401/chockartat-besked-180-
tjanster-forsvinner-pa-sr.  

Swedish  Union  of  Journalists  (2023)  Risks  in  the  regulation  on  new  media  subsidies  (Risker  i 
förordningen 
för  nytt  mediestöd)  https://www.sjf.se/aktuellt/202312/risker-i-forordningen-nytt-
mediestod. 

Swedish Government (2023) A review of certain matters relating to public assistance (En översyn av 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-
vissa 
dokument/departementsserien-och-promemorior/2023/06/ds-202314/. 

offentliga 

biträden) 

frågor 

om 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  The  public  consultation  on  ‘A  review  of  certain  matters  relating  to 
public  assistance’  (Remiss  av  Ds  2023:14  En  översyn  av  vissa  frågor  om  offentliga  biträden) 

37 

 
https://www.regeringen.se/remisser/2023/07/remiss-av-ds-202314-en-oversyn-av-vissa-fragor-om-
offentliga-bitraden/. 

Swedish Government (2023) Secure and efficient access to legal information (Uppdrag om en säker 
och 
rättsinformation) 
https://www.regeringen.se/regeringsuppdrag/2023/12/uppdrag-om-en-saker-och-effektiv-tillgang-till-
rattsinformation/. 

tillgång 

effektiv 

till 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  Expanded  possibilities  for  camera  surveillance  for  the  police 
investigated on a fast track (Utökade möjligheter till kamerabevakning för polisen utreds i snabbspår) 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2023/12/utokade-mojligheter-till-kamerabevakning-for-
polisen-utreds-i-snabbspar/. 

Swedish Government (2023) Historic investment in the justice system to restore security in Sweden 
i  Sverige) 
(Historiska 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2023/09/historiska-satsningar-pa-rattsvasendet-for-att-
ateruppratta-tryggheten-i-sverige/. 

för  att  återupprätta 

satsningar  på 

rättsväsendet 

tryggheten 

Swedish  Government  (2023)  Labour  market  and  integration  reforms  –  Budget  Bill  for  2024 
https://www.government.se/articles/2023/10/labour-market-and-integration-reforms--budget-bill-for-
2024/. 

Swedish  Government  (2024)  Government  increases  support  for  Swedish  courts  (Regeringen  utökar 
stödet  till  Sveriges  Domstolar),  https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/04/regeringen-
utokar-stodet-till-sveriges-
domstolar/#:~:text=Regeringen%20f%C3%B6resl%C3%A5r%20d%C3%A4rf%C3%B6r%20i%20v
%C3%A5r%C3%A4ndringsbudgeten,%C3%B6verenskommelse%20mellan%20regeringen%20och%
20Sverigedemokraterna. 

Swedish  Government (2024)  Stronger  protection for public  employees  against violence,  threats and 
harassment 
trakasserier), 
https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/statens-offentliga-utredningar/2024/01/sou-20241/. 

för  offentliganställda  mot  våld,  hot  och 

(Ett  starkare  skydd 

Swedish Government (2024) Legal aid and the expenses for legal  assistance (Rättsliga biträden och 
rättegångskostnader),  https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-dokument/kommittedirektiv/2024/04/dir.-
202439#:~:text=R%C3%A4ttsliga%20bitr%C3%A4den%20och%20r%C3%A4tteg%C3%A5ngskost
nader%20%E2%80%93%20sk%C3%A4rpt,2024%3A39&text=En%20s%C3%A4rskild%20utredare
%20ska%20se%20%C3%B6ver%20regelverket%20f%C3%B6r%20ers%C3%A4ttning%20till%20r
%C3%A4ttsliga%20bitr%C3%A4den. 

Swedish Government (2024), Proposal for increased opportunities to transfer cases between general 
administrative  courts  (Förslag  om  ökade  möjligheter  att  överlämna  mål  mellan  allmänna 
förvaltningsdomstolar), 
https://www.regeringen.se/pressmeddelanden/2024/04/forslag-om-okade-
mojligheter-att-overlamna-mal-mellan-allmanna-
forvaltningsdomstolar/#:~:text=Regeringen%20har%20beslutat%20om%20en,minskad%20v%C3%A
4ntetid%20f%C3%B6r%20enskilda%20parter. 

Swedish Government (2024) Strengthening the protection of the independence of courts and judges 
(Stärkt  skydd  för  domstolarnas  och  domarnas  oberoende),  https://www.regeringen.se/rattsliga-
dokument/kommittedirektiv/2024/04/dir.-202440. 

Swedish Judges Association (2024), Survey: Ordinary judges' working conditions at Sweden's district 
courts and administrative courts (Enkät: Ordinarie domares arbetsförhållanden vid Sveriges tingsrätter 
och förvaltningsrätter), https://domareforbundet.se/index.php?special=article&id=198.  

Swedish Parliament (2023) The scrutiny of the performance of ministerial duties and the handling of 
Government  business  (Granskning  av  statsrådens 
tjänsteutövning  och  regeringsärendenas 
https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/betankande/granskning-
handläggning) 
av-statsradens-tjansteutovning-och_hb01ku10/. 

38 

 
Swedish Government (2023) Government declaration of 12 September 2023 (Regeringsförklaringen 
den  12 
september  2023)  https://www.regeringen.se/tal/2023/09/regeringsforklaringen-den-12-
september-2023/. 

(Behovet 

Swedish  Institute  for  Human  Rights (2024)  The  need  to  strengthen  the  implementation of the  Paris 
Parisprinciperna) 
att 
Principles 
https://mrinstitutet.se/skrivelser/behovet-av-att-starka-implementeringen-av-
parisprinciperna/#:~:text=Institutet%20f%C3%B6r%20m%C3%A4nskliga%20r%C3%A4ttigheter%2
0vill,p%C3%A5%20b%C3%A5de%20kort%20och%20l%C3%A5ng. 

implementeringen 

stärka 

av 

av 

Swedish  Institute  for  Human  Rights  as  part  of  ENNHRI  (2024),  Contribution  from  the  European 
Network of National Human Rights Institutions for the 2024 Rule of Law Report.  

Swedish  Parliament  (2023)  Review  of  the  Parliamentary  Ombudsman’s  office  (Översyn  av  JO-
https://www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-och-lagar/dokument/betankande/oversyn-av-jo-
ämbetet), 
ambetet_ha01ku32/html. 

The Administrative Court of Appeal in Stockholm (2024), Press release on case 6027-23 (GDPR kan 
https://www.domstol.se/kammarratten-i-
bli 
stockholm/nyheter/2024/03/gdpr-kan-bli-tillamplig-trots-frivilligt-utgivningsbevis/. 

utgivningsbevis), 

tillämplig 

frivilligt 

trots 

The  Legal,  Financial  and Administrative  Services  Agency (2024),  Annual  Report  2023,  Dnr.  2.3.5-
2649-24. 

United  Nations  Regional  Information  Centre  for  Western  Europe  (2023)  Swedish  freedom  of  press 
ordinance  among  new 
the  World  Register 
https://unric.org/en/swedish-freedom-of-press-ordinance-among-new-inscriptions-on-unescos-
memory-of-the-world-
register/#:~:text=The%20Swedish%20Freedom%20of%20the,guaranteeing%20free%20communicati
on%20of%20information. 

inscriptions  on  UNESCO’s  Memory  of 

Wittberg, E. (2023), Corruption risks in a mature democracy  – Mechanisms of social advantage and 
danger zones for corruption, Linköping Studies in Arts and Sciences No. 847. 

39 

 
 
Annex II: Country visit to Sweden 

The Commission services held virtual meetings in February 2024 with: 

•  Agency for Public Management 
•  Civil Rights Defenders 
•  Confederation of Swedish Industries 
•  Economic Crime Authority 
•  Media Ombudsman 
•  Ministry of Culture 
•  Ministry of Finance 
•  Ministry of Justice 
•  National Council for Crime Prevention 
•  National Forum for Voluntary Organisations 
•  Office of the Parliamentary Ombudsmen 
•  Office of the Prime Minister  
•  Swedish Agency for the Media (previously Press and Broadcasting Authority) 
•  Prosecution Service 
•  Radio Sweden (SR) 
•  Secretariat of the Constitution Committee 
•  Supreme Administrative Court 
•  Supreme Court 
•  Swedish Association of Judges 
•  Swedish Bar Association 
•  Swedish Educational Broadcasting Company (UR) 
•  Swedish Institute for Human Rights 
•  Swedish Journalists’ Association 
•  Swedish Media Publishers’ Association 
•  Swedish National Courts Administration 
•  Swedish Police 
•  Sveriges Television (SVT)  
•  Swedish Section of the International Commission of Jurists 
•  Transparency International Sweden  

* The Commission also met the following organisations in a number of horizontal meetings:  

•  Amnesty International EU 
•  Centre for Democracy and Technology Europe  
•  Centre for European Volunteering 
•  Civil Liberties Union for Europe 
•  Civil Rights Defenders 
•  Civil Society Europe 
•  Culture Action Europe 
•  Democracy Reporting International 
•  European Centre for Non-Profit Law 
•  European Civic Forum 

40 

 
 
International Federation for Human Rights 
International Planned Parenthood Federation 
International Press Institute  
Irish Council for Civil Liberties 

•  European Federation of Journalists  
•  European Partnership for Democracy 
•  European Youth Forum 
•  Free Press Unlimited 
• 
• 
• 
• 
•  JEF Europe 
•  Open Society Foundations 
•  Philanthropy Europe Association 
•  PICUM 
•  Reporters Without Borders 
•  SOLIDAR 
•  Transparency International EU 

41