Mellanregistern

Mellanregistern, which translates to "the medium register" in English, is a concept within Swedish public law and constitutional law. It refers to the middle ground between the powers of the national parliament (Riksdagen) and the regional councils (länsstyrelser or landsting), as well as the varying levels of autonomy and responsibility within the Swedish state apparatus.

In the Swedish system, the national parliament holds supreme authority over matters of national importance, while the regional councils possess considerable powers over regional affairs. Mellanregistern pertains to the intermediate sphere where these two levels of government intersect or overlap. This area often involves the implementation of national policies by regional authorities and vice versa.

The concept of mellanregistern is significant because it reflects the intricate relationship between central and local government in Sweden. It also underlines the need for coordination and communication between different levels of administration. Mellanregistern has implications for public policy and decision-making, as it affects how policy initiatives are disseminated and implemented at various levels of government.

In 1997, the Swedish government officially acknowledged the principle of mellanregistern as a key aspect of Sweden's administrative structure. Since then, efforts have been made to streamline national and regional functions, with an emphasis on increasing accountability and effectiveness within the context of mellanregistern. This ongoing process continues to shape Swedish public administration and its relationship between different governmental bodies.