The Swedish Honours Reform

The Honours Reform is the name on the process that took place between 2018 and 2023, and which started by six political parties in the Riksdag (the Social Democrats, the Green Party, the Centre Party, the Liberals, the Christian Democrats and the Moderate Party) announcing on 15 May 2018 that they were in agreement on reforming the Swedish honours system.

The agreement resulted in a committee initiative in the Committee on the Constitution, which was debated and voted on in the Chamber. The Riksdag supported the appointment of a parliamentary committee on the public honours system, national flag days, and the design of the appropriation to the Royal Court, declaring this to the government.

On 9 November 2019, the government laid down directives for a parliamentary inquiry and, on 19 November 2019, the government elected to convene a parliamentary committee. The inquiry adopted the name Förtjänstutredningen (The Honours Inquiry) and submitted its final report to the government on 21 September 2021.

The government tabled the bill 2021/22:232 A modern public honours system and national flag days before the Riksdag on 13 April 2022. After a parliamentary debate on 14 June, the Riksdag approved the bill on 15 June 2022.

On 15 December 2022, the government decided on the Ordinance (2022:1800) on Sweden’s foremost honours, entering into force on 1 February 2023.

At the Extraordinary Chapter of the Orders on 15 February 2023, new statutes for the Royal Swedish Orders of Knighthood were adopted after approval by the government on 2 February 2023. The Extraordinary Chapter of the Orders also appointed members for the new Council of the Orders pursuant to the government’s recommendation.

The Swedish Honours Reform

Sources (Swedish only):