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Political Finance Database

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Sweden

2016

2018

Bans and limits on private income

Public funding

Regulations of spending

Reporting, oversight and sanctions

Question

Value

1. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to political parties?

Code

Source

There is no ban on foreign donations nor on donations from legal persons or organisations with or without close links to the party, such as trade unions and other interest groups.

GRECO (2009), Evaluation Report on Sweden Transparency of Party Funding, p. 9.

There are no restrictions on receiving donations from interest groups or from abroad.

OSCE/ODIHR (2010), Sweden, General Elections, 19 September 2010. OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

2. Is there a ban on donations from foreign interests to candidates?

Code

Source

There is no ban on foreign donations nor on donations from legal persons or organisations with or without close links to the party, such as trade unions and other interest groups.

GRECO (2009), Evaluation Report on Sweden Transparency of Party Funding, p. 9.

There are no restrictions on receiving donations from interest groups or from abroad.

OSCE/ODIHR (2010), Sweden, General Elections, 19 September 2010. OSCE/ODIHR Needs Assessment Mission Report. OSCE/ODIHR, Warsaw

3. Is there a ban on corporate donations to political parties?

Code

Source

Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).

4. Is there a ban on corporate donations to candidates?

Code

Comment

The party report has to include only campaign election costs of its candidates elected to parliament. The other candidates' campaign finances are not regulated by the law.

Source

Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018)

5. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to political parties?

Code

Source

Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).

6. Is there a ban on donations from Trade Unions to candidates?

Code

Comment

The party report has to include only campaign election costs of its candidates elected to parliament. The other candidates' campaign finances are not regulated by the law.

Source

Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).

7. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to political parties?

Code

Yes, above certain threshold

Comment

Section 9 "Parties and their affiliated organisations, members and alternate members, and electoral candidates for parties may not receive anonymous contributions with a value exceeding 0.05 price base amounts". (2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing)

Source

Sections 9, 10, 20 and 21 of the 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

8. Is there a ban on anonymous donations to candidates?

Code

Yes, above certain threshold

Comment

Source

Sections 9, 10, 20 and 21 of the 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

9. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to political parties?

Code

Comment

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties or the 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing does not explicitly mention any provisions on donations from corporations with government contracts.

Source

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

10. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with government contracts to candidates?

Code

Comment

Source

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

11. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to political parties?

Code

Comment

Source

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

12. Is there a ban on donations from corporations with partial government ownership to candidates?

Code

Comment

Source

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

13. Is there a ban on the use of state resources in favour or against a political party or candidate?

Code

No data

14. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period?

Code

Comment

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties, the 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing nor the OSCE/ODIHR 2018 Election Expert Team Final Report does explicitly mention any contribution limits.

"Contributions below 2,750 SEK can be reported as anonymous, whereas reports on donations above this threshold need to reveal the donor identity."

Source

OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Election Expert Team Final Report, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/2/403760.pdf, p. 8.

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

15. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during a non-election specific period, what is the limit?

Code

Not applicable

16. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election?

Code

Comment

"Contributions below 2,750 SEK can be reported as anonymous, whereas reports on donations above this threshold need to reveal the donor identity."

Source

OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Election Expert Team Final Report, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/2/403760.pdf, p. 8.

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

17. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a political party during an election, what is the limit?

Code

Not applicable

18. Is there a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate?

Code

Comment

"Contributions below 2,750 SEK can be reported as anonymous, whereas reports on donations above this threshold need to reveal the donor identity."

Source

OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Election Expert Team Final Report, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/2/403760.pdf, p. 8.

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

19. If there is a limit on the amount a donor can contribute to a candidate, what is the limit?

Code

Not applicable

20. Is there a limit on the amount a candidate can contribute to their own election campaign?

Code

Comment

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties, The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing nor the OSCE/ODIHR 2018 Election Expert Team Final Report does explicitly mention any contribution limits.

Source

OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Election Expert Team Final Report, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/2/403760.pdf

The 1972 Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing

21. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to political parties?

Code

Comment

In-kind donations are according to The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing, Section 2, included in the definition of a donation- however, the law does not mention any limit on such donations.

Source

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing, Section 2

22. Is there a limit on in-kind donations to candidates?

Code

Comment

In-kind donations are according to The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing, Section 2, included in the definition of a donation- however, the law does not mention any limit on such donations.

Source

The 2018 Act on Transparency of Party Financing, Section 2

23. Is there a ban on political parties engaging in commercial activities?

Code

24. Is there a ban on political parties taking loans in relation to election campaigns?

Code

25. Is there a ban on candidates taking loans in relation to election campaigns?

Code

26. Is there a ban on donors to political parties/candidates participating in public tender/procurement processes?

Code

No data

27. Are there provisions requiring donations to go through the banking system?

Code

Question	Value
28. Are there provisions for direct public funding to political parties?	Code Yes, regularly Source Article 3 : IA party is eligible for party assistance if it has received at least one seat in the parliament or more than 2.5 per cent of the votes nationwide at either of the two last elections Article 6: Parties that have received at least 4 per cent of the votes nationwide in an election to the Riksdag receive one full basic support amount for each year covered by the election.‌ A full basic support amount is SEK 5 803 200.‌ Act of State Financial Support to Political Parties (1972), last amended in 2014.
29. What are the eligibility criteria for political parties to receive public funding?	Code Representation in elected body Share of votes in previous election Comment A party is eligible for party assistance if it has received at least one seat in the parliament or more than 2.5 per cent of the votes nationwide at either of the two last elections. Political parties receiving anonymous donations, are not eligible to receive public funding. Source Article 3 - Act of State Financial Support to Political Parties (1972), last amended in 2014.
30. What is the allocation calculation for political parties to receive public funding?	Code Proportional to seats received Comment Party assistance is allocated in direct proportion to the number of seats won in the Riksdag during the last two elections. Source Articles 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 - Act of State Financial Support to Political Parties (1972), last amended in 2014.
31. What are the provisions on 'ear marking' direct public funding to political parties (how it should be used)?	Code No Comment The law regulating the public funding to political parties (The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)) does not mention any provisions for how it should be used. Source The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)
32. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	Code No Comment The law regulating the public funding to political parties (The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)) does not mention any provisions for free or subsidized access to media for political parties. Source The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)
33. What criteria determine allocation for free or subsidized access to media for political parties?	Code Not applicable
34. Are there provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates?	Code No Comment The law regulating the public funding to political parties (The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)) does not mention any provisions for free or subsidized access to media for candidates. Source The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)
35. Are there provisions for any other form of indirect public funding?	Code Yes Source Concerning indirect public funding, members and party secretariats receive such support in the form of access to free premises and technical equipment in the Riksdag building. Hence, direct funding does not need to be used for such costs. Moreover, the Elections Act (2005:837) gives certain parties the right to receive ballot-papers at the expense of the State. In order to obtain free ballot-papers it is required that, at one of the two most recent parliamentary elections, parties have received more than 1 per cent of the votes cast. GRECO (2009), Evaluation Report on Sweden Transparency of Party Funding, p. 8.
36. Is the provision of direct public funding to political parties tied to gender equality among candidates?	Code No Comment The law regulating the public funding to political parties (The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)) does not mention that the provision of direct public funding to political parties is related to gender equality among candidates. Source The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)
37. Are there provisions for other financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties?	Code No Comment The law regulating the public funding to political parties (The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)) does not mention any financial advantages to encourage gender equality in political parties. Source The Act on State financial support to political parties (1972:625)

Question	Value
38. Is there a ban on vote buying?	Code Yes Source Chapter 17 Section 8 "A person who, in an election to public office or in connection with some other exercise of suffrage in public matters, attempts to prevent voting or to tamper with its outcome or otherwise improperly influence the vote, shall be sentenced for improper activity at election to a fine or imprisonment for at most six months". Criminal Code (1962), last amended in 2015.
39. Are there limits on the amount a political party can spend?	Code No Comment "There are no legal limits on the size or type of expenditures, whereas incomes of parties eligible for public funding ranged from 3 to over 400 million SEK." Source OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Election Expert Team Final Report, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/2/403760.pdf, p. 7.
40. If there are limits on the amount a political party can spend, what is the limit?	Code Not applicable
41. Are there limits on the amount a candidate can spend?	Code No Comment "There are no legal limits on the size or type of expenditures, (...)". Source OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Election Expert Team Final Report, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/2/403760.pdf, p.7.
42. If there are limits on the amount a candidate can spend, what is the limit?	Code Not applicable
43. Are there limits on the amount that third parties can spend on election campaign activities?	Code No Comment "In order to improve the transparency of campaign funding legal regulation of involvement of third parties in electoral campaign could be considered." Source OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Election Expert Team Final Report, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/2/403760.pdf, p.7.
44. Are there limits on traditional media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?	Code No Comment "There are no legal limits on the size or type of expenditures, whereas incomes of parties eligible for public funding ranged from 3 to over 400 million SEK." Source OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Election Expert Team Final Report, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/2/403760.pdf, p.7.
45. Are there limits on online media advertising spending in relation to election campaigns?	Code No Comment "There are no legal limits on the size or type of expenditures, whereas incomes of parties eligible for public funding ranged from 3 to over 400 million SEK." Source OSCE/ODIHR (2018) Election Expert Team Final Report, https://www.osce.org/files/f/documents/6/2/403760.pdf, p.7.
46. Do any other restrictions on online media advertisement (beyond limits) exist?	Code No

Question	Value
47. Do political parties have to report regularly on their finances?	Code Yes Comment 2018 Act on Party Financing, as compared to the 2014 Act, widens the reporting obligations upon parties considerably. Parties that take part in elections to the Riksdag or the European Parliament or hold seats in these assemblies are covered, as before; however, the new law also covers parties taking part in elections to county or municipal councils (section 2). Moreover, the revenue statements are to cover the central level of a party (as before), and now also other levels of the party as well as organisations affiliated to the party. In case the activities of a party are operated by non-profit organisations, these are to submit revenue statements as well (section 3). Source Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).
48. Do political parties have to report on their election campaign finances?	Code No
49. Do candidates have to report on their election campaign finances?	Code Yes Comment Requirements only apply to those candidates who are appointed a member or alternate member of the parliament. Other candidates' campaign finances are not regulated by the law. Section 8 "A person who, following an election, has been appointed a member or alternate member must submit a revenue statement for the calendar year in which the election took place and for every calendar year or part thereof in which they hold that office". Source Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).
50. Do third parties have to report on election campaign finances?	Code No Comment The Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018) does not mention any requirement for third parties to submit financial reports on election campaigning. Source Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).
51. Is information in reports from political parties and/or candidates to be made public?	Code Yes Comment Section 27 "Kammarkollegiet is to make the revenue statements available to the public on its website. However, this does not apply to information on the identities of donors referred to in Section 21, if the donor is a natural person. Kammarkollegiet will also publish on its website information about payments made to it under Section 10 concerning anonymous contributions that must not be accepted. The size of the sum paid in and which non-profit organisation, member, alternate member or electoral candidate made the payment must be indicated." Source Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).
52. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates reveal the identity of donors?	Code Sometimes Comment Section 21 "For contributions referred to in Section 20, point 1 or 3, information about the donor’s identity, the type of contribution made and the size of the contribution must be specifically indicated in the revenue statement if the value of the contribution exceeds 0.5 price base amounts." (Transparency of Party Financing (2018)) In respect of donations from physical or legal persons above the value of 0.005 price base amounts (228 SEK, EUR 22) are to be reported separately and the identity of the donor is to be indicated in respect of such donations if they exceed 0.5 price base amounts (22,750 SEK, EUR 2,187). (GRECO, 2018) Source Transparency of Party Financing (2018).
53. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized income?	Code Yes Comment The legislation also ensures that the incomes of a party are accounted for in a comprehensive manner, according to a list contained in section 11. Section 11 A revenue statement for a non-profit organisation within a party or for a party’s affiliated organisation must contain information about the size of: 1. support under the Act on State Financial Support to Political Parties (1972:625); 2. support under the Act on State financial support to the parliamentary parties’ women’s organisations (2010:473); 3. support under the Act concerning support for the parliamentary work of members of the Riksdag (2016:1109); 4. political party support paid to the party pursuant to Chapter 4, Sections 29 and 30 of the Local Government Act (2017:725); 5. state or municipal support to a youth organisation; 6. membership fees; 7. revenue from sales and lotteries; 8. revenue from cash collections; 9. contributions from private individuals, companies, organisations, associations and other societies, foundations and funds; and 10. other revenue. The first paragraph, points 8 and 9 apply to revenue of activities conducted in a company or in any other operational form, if the non-profit organisation that is the subject of the revenue statement has a controlling influence on the activities. The same applies to revenue of a foundation associated with the non-profit organisation. Such revenue must be specifically indicated in the revenue statement. (Act on transparency of party financing 2018) Source Act on transparency of party financing 2018
54. Must reports from political parties and/or candidates include information on itemized spending?	Code No Source Swedish authorities have limited this reporting/accounting to the incomes of a party; the legislation does not cover reporting/publication of expenditures, assets and debts of the parties.
55. Which institution(s) receives financial reports from political parties and/or candidates?	Code EMB Comment The Kammarkollegiet. Source Section 29 Kammarkollegiet exercises supervision of compliance with this Act and regulations issued in connection with this Act. Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).
56. Which institution(s) is responsible for examining financial reports and/or investigating violations?	Code EMB Comment The Kammarkollegiet. Source The Kammarkollegiet exercises supervision of compliance with this Act and regulations issued in connection with this Act. Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).
57. What power is granted to the institution(s) responsible for examining reports and/or investigating violations?	Code Carry out investigation Request additional information from potential violator Impose sanctions Comment The Kammarkollegiet (the Legal Financial and Administrative Services Agency). Source Section 29-31 Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).
58. What sanctions are provided for political finance infractions?	Code Fines Comment Different types of fines for late submission or submission of inaccurate financial reports. Source Section 32 to 36 - Act on Transparency of Party Financing (2018).

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Political Finance Database

Sweden

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