Basic Laws of Sweden

The Basic Laws of Sweden are four separate fundamental laws that together form the country's constitution rather than one unified document: the Instrument of Government, the primary law establishing political principles and rights; the Freedom of the Press Act; the Fundamental Law on Freedom of Expression, governing electronic media; and the Act of Succession, regulating royal succession. The modern Instrument of Government dates to 1974 and created the Government of Sweden in its present constitutional form as a parliamentary constitutional monarchy, building on a framework of separated executive and legislative power that traces to Sweden's 1809 constitution. Amending any of the four laws requires Riksdag approval twice across two successive electoral terms with simple majorities between votes, and citizens may petition for a referendum within 15 days of the first vote, though that mechanism has never been used.