The Committee on the Constitution (Swedish: Konstitutionsutskottet, KU) is a committee in the Parliament of Sweden. The committee prepares matters concerning the constitution and the Parliament Act and other matters concerning legislation of a constitutional and general administrative nature, as well as matters relating to radio and television. Other matters concern freedom of expression, formation of public opinion, freedom of worship and financial support for the press and the political parties.
The Committee on the Constitution also prepares matters concerning the parliament itself and certain authorities under it, the county administration and Sweden's administrative organisation and local self-government etc.
Matters concerning appropriations falling within expenditure area 1 - The government of the Realm - are prepared by the Committee on the Constitution.
The Committee on the Constitution also has the task of scrutinising the work of the government and its ministers and informing the parliament of the result of its scrutiny. The Committee on the Constitution can also decide whether or not a member of parliament or a government minister is to be prosecuted.
The first Committee on the Constitution was established in the Swedish Estates Assembly in May 1809. Its first secretary was Hans Järta. The committee played a decisive role in bringing about a new constitution, which was adopted on 6 June 1809 (see Instrument of Government (1809)). The existence of a Committee on the Constitution and other parliamentary committees was further regulated in the new constitution.
As with the other committess, the Committee on the Constitution consists of seventeen elected MPs (at least one from each party). Traditionally, the chairman of the committee is chosen from the largest opposition party. The current chairman is Peter Eriksson of the Swedish Green Party.
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