fullmäktige

Fullmäktige is the Swedish term for the elected plenary assembly that constitutes the highest decision‑making body in a municipality, and in some contexts the regional or county level. In municipal politics, the body is commonly called kommunfullmäktige; at the county or regional level it has been referred to as landstingsfullmäktige or regionfullmäktige. The fullmäktige represents residents and is responsible for setting the municipality’s political direction and major policies.

Members are elected every four years in municipal elections through proportional representation. The number of seats varies with the size of the municipality, and seats are distributed among parties and sometimes independent groups according to vote shares. The fullmäktige decides on fundamental matters such as the annual budget and long-term financial plan, taxation within legal limits, and the adoption of local regulations, development plans, and major investment decisions. It also determines the scope of municipal services, including education, social care, culture, infrastructure, and public transport where these fall within municipal responsibility.

The fullmäktige appoints and oversees the executive body and its committees, such as the municipal executive committee (kommunstyrelsen) and the various boards (nämnder) that handle day-to-day administration. It approves the annual accounts and oversees the administration through internal and external audits.

Sessions are generally public, with agendas and minutes published. Decisions are taken by majority vote, with certain measures sometimes requiring specific majorities. Through committees and regular reporting, the fullmäktige translates political programs into concrete policy and services for residents.