This chapter examines how the design and functioning of local democratic institutions in Swedish municipalities shape political representation, accountability, and power dynamics. It shows how the formal model of assembly government coexists uneasily with the informal dominance of competitive democracy, creating tensions regarding clarity, responsibility, and legitimacy. The chapter identifies a growing concentration of political power, the weakening of traditional representative bodies such as council committees, and an increase in political roles tied to executive authority. It also highlights the democratic challenges posed by municipally owned corporations and intermunicipal cooperation, where oversight and accountability are often blurred. The findings point to a persistent gap between institutional form and democratic function and suggest that reforms are needed to improve transparency, clarify responsibility, and strengthen the governance chain within representative democracy.