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Administration
Sweden is a constitutional monarchy. It is governed under the constitution
of 1975, which superseded the Constitutional Act of 1809 and the
Parliament Act of 1866, as amended. The 1975 constitution eliminated
the last vestiges of monarchical power in governing the country.
The monarch remained head of state, an exclusively ceremonial
post, but no longer was supreme commander of the armed forces and
ceased to preside over cabinet meetings. All power was defined as
emanating from the people. The constitution includes a lengthy bill
of rights. Succession to the throne was opened to women in 1980.
Each of the 24 counties (län) in Sweden is governed by an administrative
board appointed by the central government, in conjunction with a
popularly elected county council. Local government and taxation
are provided for by the constitution. Towns, cities, and rural districts
within the counties constitute communes and also have popularly
elected councils.
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