The other day, the government sent out a memorandum to the parliamentary parties with a bill on how certain decisions regarding the corona center can be made faster.

The meaning of the proposal was that the government, without asking the Riksdag, could make a series of decisions with far-reaching consequences for society. In several other countries, governments have this opportunity, but not in Sweden.

The government writes in the memorandum that it could, for example, be a "temporary shutdown or other restrictions on using transport or using infrastructure, such as ports, airports or bus and railway stations."

The government wants the same mandate when it comes to the possibility of closing shopping malls, restaurants, shops and further limiting public gatherings to take some other examples. The government also wants the right, according to the same bill, to be able to redistribute drugs and medical equipment between different regions and from private healthcare providers in order to limit the spread of infection.

Deeply critical

However, several parliamentary parties have been deeply critical of the government's wish to have the opportunity to make these decisions without the Riksdag being asked at all. The proposal was described as the biggest shift of power to the government since the Second World War. Others said it would weaken democratic control of the government.

The moderates demanded that the Riksdag be given veto power and the Left Party and the Liberals also made similar proposals. The Center Party did not want to comment on the issue at all, but said that it is only when the final proposal is presented that they are prepared to give their views on the matter.

The only opposition parties that supported the far-reaching change in the law were, paradoxically, the parties that usually tend to be harshest in their criticism of the government, the Sweden Democrats and the Christian Democrats.

However, this is irrelevant as the government has now rewritten the legislative text. On Saturday evening it is sent out for referral to a number of authorities, among other things.

Listens to the criticism

The change in the legislative text means that the Riksdag will not be rounded on these issues but will have a decisive influence on the decisions taken by the Government within the framework of the new law.

One reason why the government chooses to listen to the criticism made is that it does not want to have a political battle on this issue in the midst of the corona crisis. Nor does the government want a fight in which it is accused of imperfection and of wanting to limit the democratic influence of Parliament.

The proposal that is now being presented does not affect the government's ability to make quick decisions. That's what was initially described as the main purpose of the law. The only difference is that the Riksdag is subsequently given the opportunity to correct or tear up the measure.