Avstående

Avstående is a term used in Scandinavian languages to describe the act or state of abstaining, most commonly in voting or decision-making, but also in contexts involving renunciation of rights. It derives from the verb avstå, meaning to refrain or renounce. As a noun, avståendet or avstående denotes the choice to refrain from taking a position or action.

In voting and formal decision-making, avstående refers to a deliberate choice not to vote yes or no. A person who avstår may still be present, but does not cast a positive or negative vote. The effect of avstående depends on procedural rules: in many bodies abstentions are not counted as votes for or against, and they may not affect the outcome beyond signaling neutrality or hesitation. In other systems, abstentions can influence the required majority or tie-breaking considerations, or they may be recorded as a separate category.

Apart from voting, avstående can also refer to renouncing a right, claim, or title. For example, a member may avstå from a claim or from a leadership position to avoid conflicts of interest or to demonstrate neutrality in a particular matter.

Reasons for avstående include neutrality, potential conflicts of interest, uncertainty about the outcome, or strategic signaling. It is distinct from voting against an option or from resigning from a position, though the terms can be related in practice.

See also: abstention, quorum, majority, conflict of interest, renunciation.