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The city of Stockholm is divided in fourteen District Administrations, each with its own District Council. The District Councils are responsible for such things as refugee reception services, recreational programmes for children and youth, pre-school services, income support, consumer advisory services, local business initiatives, local environment issues, maintenance of parks, services and care for the disabled and elderly, and for social services. District politicians are expected to live in the area that they represent and are often part-time politicians holding regular jobs in addition to their political offices.

The Stockholm City council is responsible for matters concerning the city as a whole, such as city planning and taxation. Members of the District Councils are appointed by the City Council according to the election results in the whole of Stockholm, so the political composition of the District Councils mirrors that of the City Cuncil.

Sweden has one of he world’s most developed and progressive welfare systems, and the national tendency is towards left-wing attitudes on the domestic level, and a somewhat isolationist stance internationally.

Sweden has been a member of the European Union since 1995, and is a party to the Schengen agreement, but has resisted both accepting the Euro and joining NATO.