The Riksdag's work on the budget begins in April when the Government presents its first proposal - the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill - with guidelines for Sweden's economic policy. In September, the Government presents its second proposal - the Budget Bill - which contains the entire central government budget.
The Government submitted the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill to the Riksdag the 10th of April.
Photo: Anders Löwdin
Determining the central government budget is one of the Riksdag's most important tasks.
Determines the budget
The Ministry of Finance helps the Government to prepare the proposals for the central government budget. The Minister for Finance is head of the Ministry of Finance.
The members of the Riksdag are free to submit counter-proposals to the Government's proposals. Before the Riksdag takes a decision on the central government budget, all proposals are considered by the parliamentary committees. The Committee on Finance has a special role in the Riksdag's consideration of the central government budget.
April year 1: The Spring Fiscal Policy Bill
The Government submits the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill to the Riksdag by no later than 15 April. The Spring Fiscal Policy Bill contains guidelines for economic and budget policy. The Riksdag adopts a decision on the Spring Fiscal Policy Bill in June.
September year 1: The Budget Bill
On 20 September at the latest the Government presents the Budget Bill to the Riksdag. In election years, the Budget Bill is submitted later. The Budget Bill contains the Government's proposals for the central government budget for the next budget year.
At the end of November a decision is first taken on the total limit for central government expenditure and how much each area of the central government budget may cost. In mid-December the Riksdag decides how the funds are to be distributed within each area. The Riksdag also takes a decision regarding the estimate of central government revenue.
April and September year 2: Revised budgets
Sometimes things do not turn out as the Government and Riksdag had intended. A public authority may need more money than planned. In such cases, the Government can propose an amendment to the central government budget. This is known as a revised budget, and the Government submits proposals for supplements in April and September.