kommunernas

Kommunerna, or municipalities, are the local government units that form the lowest tier of Sweden’s administrative structure. They are responsible for a wide range of public services and local administration within their geographic area, and their work is guided by both national law and local policy choices.

Each municipality is governed by an elected municipal council (kommunfullmäktige), with members elected for four-year terms in general elections. The council appoints an executive committee (kommunstyrelsen) and, in larger municipalities, a political leader such as a mayor or chairman. The council approves budgets, tax levels, and policies on local matters, while the executive body handles daily administration and implementation of decisions.

The core responsibilities of kommunerna include urban planning and zoning, preschool and primary education, social services and care for the elderly and disabled, water supply and wastewater treatment, waste management, cultural activities and libraries, local infrastructure and emergency preparedness. They collaborate with regional and national authorities on health care, transport, and broader development initiatives, while retaining substantial autonomy over many local affairs.

Financing for kommunerna comes mainly from local income taxes and government grants, supplemented by fees for services. The Swedish system emphasizes municipal self-government (kommunal självstyrelse), a principle enshrined in the constitution and implemented through the Municipal Act and related legislation, which define the scope and limits of local authority.

There are about 290 kommuner in Sweden, ranging from large urban entities to small rural ones. The contemporary landscape reflects extensive reforms in the 20th century that consolidated smaller units into larger municipalities, strengthening local democracy and the delivery of services at the municipal level. The concept of kommunerna thus centers on local responsiveness, accountability, and public service provision to residents and businesses.