On Jun. 5, 2025, SWE MoJ issued supplementary directive to Inquiry into criminal measures against corruption and misconduct (Ju 2024:02, reference Dir 2024:14).
Dir. 2025:57 provides for change in assignment in such a way that investigator shall no longer assess which constitutional amendments or other measures needed to adapt Swedish law to the new EU Directive on combating corruption.
Investigation period is fixed, must therefore be reported no later than Jul. 25, 2025.
On Feb. 5, SWE MoJ commissioned a review of current criminal law.
SWE MoJ confirmed SWE GVT had commissioned an investigator to review the criminal law on corruption and misconduct, including taking a position on whether corruption legislation is effective and whether criminal liability for misconduct should be extended.
Follows SWE GVT Dec. 2019 announced action plan against corruption, see #68768.
Investigation Overview
SWE GVT is working to counter unauthorized influence and corruption through a range of different measures including the reduction of the vulnerability of public employees, strengthened criminal protection for practitioners of certain socially useful functions.
Also, a parliamentary committee on enhanced transparency in political party financing, and rules for contacts between political power holders and various, so-called, lobbyists.
SWE GVT has now commissioned an inquiry to review criminal legislation on corruption and misconduct, to ensure it is effective, expedient and adapted to international laws.
The investigator is tasked with deciding whether the criminal law legislation is effective and modern or whether there is need for changes, and making constitutional proposal.
Assessing which constitutional amendments or other measures are needed to adapt Swedish law to new EU directive on combating corruption, to meet legal requirements.
To take a position on whether the criminal liability for misconduct should be extended, and submit constitutional proposals to extended liability for any form of misconduct.
Comment
Minister of Justice, Gunnar Strommer, commented that corruption in all its forms is a serious threat to our liberal democracy, and SWE GVT is looking to counteract this.
With effective criminal justice tools against corruption and increased criminal liability for misconduct, we can strengthen trust in public activities and improve legal certainty.
Effectiveness
The inquiry on corruption and misconduct must now be reported on by Jul. 25, 2025.
Feb. 2024 SWE IMM Welcomes Review
On Feb. 7, 2024, SWE IMM welcome criminal law on corruption and misconduct review.
SWE IMM said it has been many years since the reform of anti-corruption legislation.
Further to worrying reporting of Swedish corruption in recently, government is taking a step in the right direction, said SWE IMM Acting Secretary General, Parul Sharma.
Jun. 2025 Change in Assignment
On Jun. 5, 2025, SWE MoJ issued supplementary directive to Inquiry into criminal measures against corruption and misconduct (Ju 2024:02, reference Dir 2024:14).
Dir. 2025:57 provides for change in assignment in such a way that investigator shall no longer assess which constitutional amendments or other measures needed to adapt Swedish law to the new EU Directive on combating corruption.
Investigation period is fixed, must therefore be reported no later than Jul. 25, 2025.
Regulators
SWE GVT; SWE IMM; SWE MoJ
Entity Types
CNSM; Corp; Fiduciary
Reference
Dir 2025:57, PR, 6/5/2025; PR 2/7/2024; PR, Dir 2024:14, 2/5/2024; COM(2023) 234 final, 2023/0135(COD)
