kommunallagen

Kommunallagen is a Swedish statute that provides the framework for local self-government in municipalities and county councils. It outlines how local government is organized, how decisions are made, and how public services are administered. The law is designed to ensure democratic influence at the local level within the limits of national law.

The act applies to all municipalities and county councils. It designates the main governing bodies: the municipal council (kommunfullmäktige) as the supreme decision-making body; the executive body (kommunstyrelse) and various committees; and the administrative divisions responsible for day-to-day operations. The same structure exists for county councils. The law also addresses how elections, meetings, and deliberations should be conducted, including rules on transparency, public access to documents, and opportunities for general participation.

Key provisions cover local autonomy: municipalities have the right to govern local matters and to levy local fees and taxes within the framework of national law. It governs budgeting, financial management, and accounting, with external auditing and accountability to the council. The act also includes rules on appointments, procurement, and the management of municipal enterprises and companies.

The implementation of kommunallagen is complemented by other laws, such as general election rules, procurement legislation, and transparency provisions. It rests on the broader constitutional principle of openness in public affairs, and it interacts with oversight bodies at national and regional levels to ensure legality and efficiency of local government.

Historically, the statute represents the central framework for organizing and supervising local self-government in Sweden and is periodically updated to reflect reforms and changes in national legislation.