The Swedish King's finances under scrutiny

The fundamental elements of the constitutional monarchy of Sweden is under discussion for the first time since 1974. 

  • The Swedish monarch has been deprived of power ever since the 18th century. King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, born in 1946, was deprived of all political power in 1974 (he became King in 1973). This law has worked well with only minor snags, such as when he criticized the way the Swedish government handled the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami.
  • The King’s finances
    The King of Sweden might be forced to become more open with how he uses his apanage, since a majority in parliament is now asking for more insight into the royal finances.

  • The rules for the apanage were established at the so-called Torekov agreement in 1974 when the right-wing parties and the Social Democrats met and decided what the constitution should look like.

  • The Torekov agreement - really a compromise - meant the Swedish monarch lost all his/her political influence and was only to be given ceremonial tasks, such as representing Sweden.

  • Constitutional monarchy (or limited monarchy) is a form of government in which a monarch acts as head of state within the parameters of a constitution. This form of government differs from absolute monarchy in which an absolute monarch serves as the source of political power in the state and is not legally bound by any constitution.