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The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs ( sv, Utrikesnämnden) is a permanent council appointed by the
Riksdag
The Riksdag (, ; also sv, riksdagen or ''Sveriges riksdag'' ) is the legislature and the supreme decision-making body of Sweden. Since 1971, the Riksdag has been a unicameral legislature with 349 members (), elected proportionally and se ...
and led by the
King
King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king.
*In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the tit ...
. It operates as a consultational organ between the Riksdag and the Government regarding matters of Foreign Affairs.
History and function
The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs was established in 1921 as a result to an amendment to the
1809 Instrument of Government
The 1809 Instrument of Government ( sv, 1809 års regeringsform), adopted on 6 June 1809 by the Riksdag of the Estates and King Charles XIII, was the constitution of the Kingdom of Sweden from 1809 to the end of 1974. It came about as a result ...
.
Due to the sensitive nature of the councils deliberations some parties have historically been excluded from the council. The formerly communist
Left Party was excluded until 1994 after the fall of the Soviet Union.
The
Sweden Democrats
The Sweden Democrats ( sv , Sverigedemokraterna ; SD ) is a nationalist and right-wing populist political party in Sweden. As of 2022, it is the largest member of Sweden's right-wing governing bloc to which it provides confidence and supply, a ...
were also excluded in their first Riksdag term between 2010 and 2014.
The Government has to keep the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs informed of foreign policy matters that can have an impact on Sweden and shall hold deliberations with the Council when necessary. If possible, the Government must deliberate with the Council ahead of all major foreign policy decisions.
The Government convenes the meetings of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs. The Government must convene a meeting if at least four of the council's members request discussions on a specific matter.
The Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs consists of the
Speaker
Speaker may refer to:
Society and politics
* Speaker (politics), the presiding officer in a legislative assembly
* Public speaker, one who gives a speech or lecture
* A person producing speech: the producer of a given utterance, especially:
** In ...
and 18 members of the
Riksdag
The Riksdag (, ; also sv, riksdagen or ''Sveriges riksdag'' ) is the legislature and the supreme decision-making body of Sweden. Since 1971, the Riksdag has been a unicameral legislature with 349 members (), elected proportionally and se ...
, nine of whom are members and nine of whom are deputy members. The members are appointed by the Riksdag for each electoral period. The council is chaired by the
King
King is the title given to a male monarch in a variety of contexts. The female equivalent is queen, which title is also given to the consort of a king.
*In the context of prehistory, antiquity and contemporary indigenous peoples, the tit ...
. If the King is unable to attend, the
Prime Minister
A prime minister, premier or chief of cabinet is the head of the cabinet and the leader of the ministers in the executive branch of government, often in a parliamentary or semi-presidential system. Under those systems, a prime minister is not ...
is chair. The chair can decide that an unconditional duty of confidentiality shall apply at meetings.
If Sweden finds itself at
war
War is an intense armed conflict between states, governments, societies, or paramilitary groups such as mercenaries, insurgents, and militias. It is generally characterized by extreme violence, destruction, and mortality, using regular o ...
the members of the Advisory Council on Foreign Affairs, if possible after consultation with the Prime Minister, may decide that the
War Delegation
The War Delegation ( sv, krigsdelegationen, or ''KD'') is a standing committee of the Riksdag, with its functions enumerated in the Instrument of Government and the Riksdag Act, with the purpose of replacing the Riksdag as a whole whenever Sweden i ...
replace the Riksdag. Should the Council be unable to convene as a result of the war, this decision may be taken by the Government.
[{{lagref, 1974, 152, k=15, p=2, s=2, t=Regeringsformen] The King does not take part in this decision.
[Hirschfeldt, Johan. Karnov Internet. ''SFS 1974:152 Regeringsform, 15 kap. not 369''. ]Karnov
is a platform game released in arcades in 1987. A Nintendo Entertainment System port followed. Players take control of the title character Jinborov Karnovski, or "Karnov" for short. Karnov is a strongman popularly illustrated as being from an un ...
. Läst 2011-11-13.
References
Government bodies
Government of Sweden