The National Security Council of Sweden is the body under the Swedish government in which matters of national security are discussed and security cooperation between different departments organized. A number of other countries also have similar councils, many of these serving as inspiration for the decision to establish the Swedish National Security Council.

Composition

The National Security Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and consists of cabinet ministers. These are: The Minister of Justice, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defence, the Minister of Civil Defence and the Minister of Finance. Other leaders of political parties that are members of the government also become members of the council. While those mentioned above are the only members of the council and are entitled to attend all meetings, the prime minister may invite others to attend individual meetings. These have so far included the leaders of all political parties in the Riksdag, the National Police Commissioner and the

Supreme Commander of the Swedish Armed Forces The Supreme Commander ( sv, överbefälhavaren; acronym: ÖB) is the highest ranked professional military officer in the Swedish Armed Forces, and is by NATO terminology the Swedish chief of defence equivalent. The Supreme Commander is the agency ...

. As of August 2024, the National Security Council's membership is as follows:

History and function

The National Security Councils creation was first announced by Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson in his Declaration of Government held on 18 October 2022. The proposal to create one had however existed for many years and a Political Security Council had existed since the premiership of Stefan Löfven. On 10 November 2022

Henrik Landerholm Carl Henrik Jacob Landerholm (born 10 August 1963) is a Swedish politician who has served as first National Security Advisor to the Government of Sweden since 2022. He is a member of the Moderate Party and has previously served as a Member of th ...

was appointed as the first National Security Advisor to the Government and tasked with advicing the prime minister on how the council could be structured and operate. The National Security Council ordinarily convenes every other week under the Prime Minister's chairmanship. It may however meet more often if required, such as in a state of emergency. The role of the council is to make it easier for cabinet ministers to inform each other and the prime minister on matters of national security and cooperate operations between their departments regarding national security.

National Security Advisor

The National Security Advisor to the Government of Sweden ( sv, Regeringens Nationella Säkerhetsrådgivare) is the official responsible for assisting and advicing the National Security Council and the Prime Minister, as well as managing the Councils affairs. They shall also provide analysis and information to the council. The National Security Advisor is appointed by the Prime Minister and serves at their pleasure. The position has a monthly salary of 110 000 SEK, the same as that of a Director General of a government agency. The position is supposed to be non partisan. url=https://www.altinget.se/artikel/henrik-landerholm-behaaller-gd-lonen {{Officeholder table end

References

National security councils Government of Sweden 2022 establishments in Sweden