Sweden Moves Toward Crisis
A constitutional reform moving through Sweden’s parliament has brought a difficult security question closer to a decision: who holds power when time runs out?
Sweden’s Committee on the Constitution recommended on November 5 that parliament approve new powers allowing the government to act more quickly during serious peacetime crises. A parliamentary vote is scheduled for November 11.
The proposal would amend the Instrument of Government, one of Sweden’s fundamental laws. Its stated purpose is to preserve lawful decision-making during emergencies such as hostile attacks, major natural disasters and epidemics.
The legislation would establish a constitutional route for decisions that might otherwise exceed the government’s ordinary authority.
