ministeransvar

Ministeransvar is a central principle in Swedish constitutional practice describing the political and, in some respects, legal accountability of ministers to the parliament for the actions of the government and their own ministries. The system rests on the idea that the government must have the confidence of the Riksdag and be able to defend its policies publicly.

Ministeransvar covers both collective and individual responsibility. Politically, all ministers share responsibility for government policy and must defend decisions in the Riksdag. Individually, a minister is responsible for the conduct and outcomes within their ministry and may be asked to resign if failures or scandals undermine confidence in the government.

Accountability mechanisms include parliamentary motions of no confidence and the possibility for the prime minister to request a minister’s resignation. If the Riksdag expresses no confidence in the government, the cabinet normally resigns. A minister may be replaced or dismissed without the entire cabinet stepping down, depending on political circumstances. In practice, resignation is common in cases of serious policy failures or misconduct.

Constitutional and legal basis: In Sweden, the government must enjoy the Riksdag’s confidence as provided by the Instrument of Government. Ministerial responsibility thus links political legitimacy to parliamentary support and establishes the framework for parliamentary oversight of the executive. While ministers can face legal consequences for criminal acts, the primary mode of accountability is political.