LOCAL AND REGIONAL STRUCTURES IN SWEDEN
Sweden is a unitary State composed of municipalities, counties and regions.
Local level: 290 municipalities (kommuner)
Municipal authorities
The municipal council (kommunfullmäktige) is composed of members elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. This assembly takes every important decision in the municipality, levies taxes and adopts the budget. The council can delegate important decision-making powers to its executive committee and to other committees.
The municipal executive committee (kommunstyrelsen) is composed of members elected by the council. The committee prepares and implements decisions taken by the council. It has executive and coordinating functions and monitors the activities of the other committees. It drafts the budget of the municipality.
The specialised committees (nämnd) are composed of members elected by the council. The committees are responsible for preparing items for final decision by the council and for the administration and implementation of decisions.
Competences
Mandatory
. Education (from child-care to upper-secondary schools)
. Care for elderly
. Care for handicapped
. Social services
. Health and environmental protection
. Spatial planning
. Public transport
. Waste management
. Social service
. Rescue services
. Water supply and sewerage
On a voluntary basis
. Culture
. Housing
. Energy
. Employment
Regional level: 18 counties (Landsting) and 2 regions (Skåne and Västra Götaland)
Regional authorities
The county/regional council (landstingsfullmäktige/ regionfullmäktige) is elected by direct universal suffrage for a four-year term. This assembly takes decisions on matters of principle or major importance. It approves the budget and tax rate. The council can delegate important decision-making power to its executive committee and to other committees.
The executive committee of the county/regional council (landstingsstyrelsen/regionstyrelsen) is composed of members elected by the council. It has executive and coordinating functions and monitors the activities of the other committees. It drafts the budget of the county/region council. The executive committee prepares and implements decisions taken by the council.
The specialised committees (nämnd) are composed of members elected by the council. The committees are responsible for preparing items for final decision by the council, and for the administration and implementation of decisions.
Competences
Mandatory
. Healthcare
. Dental care
On a voluntary basis
. Regional development
. Culture
. Transport
. Tourism
Note: the regions have additional responsibilities with respect to regional growth and development.
