Parliamentary decision making and foreign policy: Sweden's participation in international armed missions and the crucial role of the Riksdag

The last 20 years have witnessed a marked increase in Swedish participation in major international UN-, EU- and/or NATO-led armed missions mandated according to Chapter VII of the UN Charter. This development reflects the new foreign and security priorities of Sweden in the wake of the end of the Cold War. Decisions on Swedish participation in such missions, however, cannot be taken without parliamentary approval. The Riksdag's role in Sweden's new foreign and security policy is thus crucial. Since the first bill on an international mission was submitted in 1993, the Parliament has gradually elaborated an informal internal working order for handling bills of this type, as well as the establishment of a system of signification for communicating approval or discontent with certain aspects of the bills, in conjunction with the Cabinet. This article is aimed at investigating the nature and content of the Parliament's contribution to the wider process of decision making on Swedish participation in international armed missions.