Background & Purpose
Every year, politicians submit ideas for new holidays or ways to celebrate Swedish culture and history. This decision covers several such ideas that were suggested during the past year.
Proposals & Debate
Members of parliament suggested 11 different changes. These included creating new official flag days, establishing a special award for Swedes living in other countries, and finding new ways to honor the memory of Raoul Wallenberg. Some also wanted to give the Swedish national anthem a more official legal status.
The Decision
The parliament decided to say no to all these suggestions. This means that the current rules for holidays, flag days, and the national anthem will not be changed at this time.
Does this affect you?
- Swedes living abroad: They will not receive a new official government award for their contributions as had been suggested.
- Cultural organizations: Groups working with national symbols or memorial days will continue to operate under the existing rules without new official days to manage.
In Practice
- No new public holidays will be added to the Swedish calendar.
- The list of official days when the flag is flown remains the same.
- There will be no new government award created for Swedes living abroad.
- The legal status of the national anthem, 'Du gamla, du fria', remains unchanged.