King Carl Gustaf's Speech at 2019 State Opening of Parliament - English Translation

Clarification or explanation added by Gert's Royals is in Italics. 

Mr President,
Honorable Members.

Thirty years ago, I stood here, in Parliament's plenary hall to officially open the 1989/90 session of Parliament.

It was on October 3, 1989, and we still did not know what would happen just over a month later:

The fall of the Berlin Wall in November 1989 became the culmination of a development that fundamentally changed Europe and the world.

It was a time of relaxation between the world's superpowers. And of closer European cooperation.

At the time, the Swedish political agenda included the defense's focus and scope, Sweden's future energy supply and environmental problems (such as soil acidification, greenhouse effect and the impact on the ozone layer).

Today, three decades later, developments have progressed in many respects. But in other areas, the challenges have rather grown.

Mr President, Honorable Members.

Parliamentary documents will tell future generations about our work. About our ideals and values. About our challenges - and our ability to meet them.

A hundred years ago, the Swedish Parliament made a number of decisive decisions, which together led to equal and universal suffrage. [2019 is the 100th Anniversary of Women's Suffrage in Sweden.]

The anniversary reminds us of the importance of thinking and acting long term, for the good of our country.

Sweden's future is not only shaped in this chamber, but by developments around the world. But the decisions made here affect everyone in our country. And often for generations to come. They are threads in the fabric that make up our future.

How do we create safety, security and community for everyone living here?

How do we ensure that Sweden is at the forefront of research and development?

How do we build a sustainable future for future generations?

These are big and difficult issues that the citizens have elected you to handle.

I wish you, elected representatives for the people of Sweden, power, courage, and wisdom in your important work.

I hereby declare the 2019/2020 parliament session opened.

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