100 years of democracy

A demonstration for universal and equal suffrage. The demands include an eight-hour working day. Photo: Sundsvalls museum

The first motion for universal suffrage had been written six years earlier, in 1884, but failed to pass. Sveriges Allmänna Rösträttsförbund is formed in 1890 – open for all to join, but working mainly to promote men’s right to vote. The association is mainly driven by Liberal politicians, but the demands it makes are shared by the growing labour movement. The Swedish Social Democratic Party had been formed the previous year, and its chairman Hjalmar Branting was subsequently elected to parliament in a Liberal constituency.

Ellen Key speaking at a meeting arranged by FKPR at Visingsö. Photo: Grenna Museum.

A proposal in parliament that married men should be given two votes – one for himself and one for his wife – prompts women in the Fredrika Bremer Association to discuss organising a fight for women’s right to vote. The “Föreningen för kvinnans politiska rösträtt”, FKPR, is formed in 1902 and the following year reconfigured as the “Landsföreningen för kvinnans politiska rösträtt”, FKPR (in English: “National Association for Women’s Suffrage”). The number of local branches grows rapidly: from 73 in 1906 to 157 in 1909 and 237 in 1917. The membership is then 17,000.

Author and suffragette Elin Wägner beside the petition. Photo: Kvinnsam/University of Gothenburg 

In September 1911, the first election with a considerably enlarged electoral roll – for men – is held, although many are still ineligible to vote due to the age requirement, and the conditions of completed military service and payment of tax. At the same time, the fight for female suffrage continues. A national petition is arranged in 1913-1914 that collects 350,000 signatures – people who support the demand for votes for women. The signatures are presented in 35 bound volumes.

The right for men to vote brings with it a radicalisation of the campaign for female suffrage – a principal demand is namely the right to vote on the same conditions as men. Previously, this has meant that working class women whose husbands do not have the right to vote also do not in practice have the right.

Historical pciture demonstration in Stockholm 1917. Risk of av revolution? Hjalmar Branting, leader of the Social Democratic Party, hurries across Gustav Adolfs Scuar at a demonstration in June 1917. Photo credit Stockholmskällan

The king held a speech in the castle grounds three years previously and forced the government to resign, but in 1917 the Liberals and Social Democratic Party form a coalition government. This is a breakthrough for parliamentarism, and establishes the principle that the majority in the parliament determines which government is to run the country. At the same time, Sweden experiences nationwide unrest, and hunger riots break out. Around 30 demonstrators are injured in Stockholm, and several are overrun by mounted police at what came to be known as the “Bloodbath at Gustav Adolfs Square”.

A demonstration or women´s right to vote in Gothenburg. On of many actions hat finally gave results.  Photo credit Nordiska museet

Increasing demands for reform – and a fear of revolution such as that seen in Russia – finally force the political majority to come round. After negotiations far into the night, an extraordinarily convened parliament passes in December 1918 the first resolution giving women the right to vote. Since this requires a change to the constitution, the formal decisions are subsequently passed at two ordinary parliaments in 1919 and 1921, separated by a general election. The first election with universal and equal suffrage is held in September 1921.

The Sami parliament provides the right to self-determination for the Sami indigenous people.  Photo credit Marie Birkl

Sweden became a democracy in 1921, and work to extend democratic rights continued. Several reforms were carried out throughout the 20th century, strengthening and extending people power in Sweden. Several obstacles to voting related to income and military service were gradually removed. The voting age has been reduced in stages; foreign citizens are allowed to vote in municipal and regional elections; and the rights of ethnic minorities have been reinforced.