2. The Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions (SALAR) SALAR represents Sweden’s 290 municipalities and 20 county councils/regions. It acts as an employer’s organisation, and it defends and promotes the interests of its members, for example by working to strengthen local selfgovernment and the development of regional and local democracy.

3. The political organisation of the Association after the 2007 Congress Board Executive Committee Delegations Delegation for Negotiations Delegation on Healthcare Temporary Programme Committees Permanent Committees Committee on Democracy International Committee Committee on Culture Committee on Primary Healthcare and Elderly care Committee on Planning and Community Development Committee on Social Policy Committee on Growth and Regional Development Committee on Education Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions Congress

4. The priority issues of the Association 2007 Democracy and self-government Financing of welfare Efficiency and quailty ICT for more effective operations Attractive jobs and qualified staff Co-operation in the care sector Access to healthcare - reduction of waiting times An education system for better results More people at work and less working life exclusion Imrovement in health – reduced absence due to illness Sustainable growth

5. A country full of contrasts Population: 9 million inhabitants Form of government: Constitutional monarchy, parliamentary democracy. Parliament: The Riksdag, with 349 members in one chamber. Capital: Stockholm. The largest city in Sweden. Population 771 000 Göteborg/Gothenburg: Sweden’s second largest city. Population 485 000 Malmö: The third largest city in Sweden. Population 271 000 Bjurholm: The smallest municipality in Sweden, 2 500 inhabitants.

6. The current Local Government Act defines the roles: Municipalities are responsible for matters relating to the inhabitants of the municipality and their immediate environment. The main task of the county councils and regions is healthcare. Parliament, Riksdagen, which has 349 members, is the supreme political decision-making body in Sweden

7. §1 The Constitution Art. 1. Swedish democracy is founded on the free formation of opinion and on universal and equal suffrage. It shall be realised through a representative and parliamentary polity and through local self-government. Art. 7. Sweden has municipalities and county councils. The decision-making power in these local authorities is exercised by elected assemblies. The local authorities may levy taxes in order to perform their tasks.

8. The three democratic levels

9. Local self-government The Swedish municipalities and county councils /regions are responsible for providing a major part of all public services. They have a considerable degree of autonomy and have independent powers of taxation.

10. The role of the municipalities Required by law: Social services Childcare and preschools Elderly care Care for the physically and intellectually disabled Primary and secondary education Planning and building issues Health and environmental protection Refuse collection and waste management Emergency services and emergency preparedness Water and sewerage

11. Revenues of the municipalities…

12. … and their expenditure

13. Employees of the muncipalities

14. The activities of the county councils and regions. The activities of the county councils and regions cover two main areas: healthcare and regional development. The county councils and regions are responsible for ensuring that everyone living in Sweden has access to good healthcare.

15. Revenues of the county councils/regions…

16. … and their expenditure

17. Regional development The European Union has great impact on regional development. The County Administrative Boards are responsible for regional development Municipalities and county councils/regions have developed various forms of regional co-operation in regional matters. Two regions have been formed by the merger of a number of county councils. These are the Västra Götaland Region and Region Skåne.

18. Elections 2002, 2006, 2010… General elections every four year General election – Parliament Swedish citizens 18+ can vote Election to County and Regional Councils Election to Municipal Councils Swedish, EU, Nordic citizens 18+ can vote In June – every five years Election to the European Parliament Swedish, EU citizens 18+ can vote  Parliament: 7 parties (4 in government 2006-2010)  Municipal Councils: 7 national + 140 local parties (Different majorities)

19. Elections Centre Party (c) the Liberal Party (fp) the Moderate Party (m) the Christian Democrats (kd) Social Democrats (s) Left Party (v) The Green Party (mp)