2024-02-282023/24:FiU26 · p.1FiUEconomy & finance
The municipal financial equalization system
What's at stake: The equalization system determines how financial resources are distributed among municipalities and regions with different circumstances, such as sparsely populated areas, and thus affects the ability to provide equal welfare services across the country.
Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.
What the vote decides
The question is whether the government should already receive a call, while a review of the municipal financial equalization system is under way, to work for greater equality between municipalities, or whether the outcome of the ongoing inquiry should be awaited before parliament takes a position.
Yes Yes — the committee proposal
The committee wants to await the results of the ongoing inquiry into the entire municipal financial equalization system before any measures are taken, and therefore rejects the motions.
No No — the reservations
Reservation 1 (S, V, MP)
The reservers want the government, without pre-empting the ongoing review of the entire equalization system, to work for an equalization system that better promotes equal welfare across the country, arguing that despite the latest reform of the cost equalization, the differences remain too large.
Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.
What do the votes mean here?
Yes The committee proposal: rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).
No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by S, V, MP.
Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.
The decision would have gone the other way
Explicit commitments that contradicted the vote: KDKristdemokraterna, LLiberalerna
Ja 149–127Nej 121–155
Counterfactual: the parties above are moved to the position their own documents explicitly point at, carrying their whole contingent present. Every other party keeps its real figures, including dissenters and absentees.
What each plan points to — and how the party voted
For each party: the vote its own election manifesto and party programme point to in this case, next to how the party actually voted. A plan can only point to Yes or No; a party can also abstain.
| Plan | Vote | Confidence | Evidence | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V | No | No 0/19/0/5 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| S | No | No 0/92/0/14 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| MP | No | No 0/15/0/3 | follows the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| C | No | Abstain 0/0/19/5 | departs from the plan | confidence: high | explicit |
| L | No | Yes 12/0/0/4 | departs from the planagainst own programme | confidence: medium | explicit |
| KD | No | Yes 16/0/0/3 | departs from the planagainst own programme | confidence: high | explicit |
| M | No | Yes 59/0/0/9 | departs from the plan | confidence: low | not addressed |
| SD | No | Yes 61/0/0/11 | departs from the plan | confidence: medium | not addressed |
Committee proposal
The Riksdag rejects the motions 2023/24:88 by Nima Gholam Ali Pour (SD), 2023/24:249 by Kristoffer Lindberg (S), 2023/24:503 by Malin Danielsson et al. (L) demand 1, 2023/24:983 by Joar Forssell (L), 2023/24:1288 by Hanna Westerén (S), 2023/24:1358 by Lars Isacsson et al. (S) demand 1, 2023/24:2191 by Maria Stockhaus et al. (M), 2023/24:2211 by Johanna Hornberger and Josefin Malmqvist (both M) demands 1-4, 2023/24:2392 by Christian Carlsson (KD), 2023/24:2457 by Muharrem Demirok et al. (C) demands 2 and 3, 2023/24:2480 by Helena Lindahl et al. (C) demand 12, 2023/24:2615 by Ulrika Heie and Anne-Li Sjölund (both C) and 2023/24:2646 by Mikael Damberg et al. (S) demand 4.
Original (Swedish)
Riksdagen avslår motionerna 2023/24:88 av Nima Gholam Ali Pour (SD), 2023/24:249 av Kristoffer Lindberg (S), 2023/24:503 av Malin Danielsson m.fl. (L) yrkande 1, 2023/24:983 av Joar Forssell (L), 2023/24:1288 av Hanna Westerén (S), 2023/24:1358 av Lars Isacsson m.fl. (S) yrkande 1, 2023/24:2191 av Maria Stockhaus m.fl. (M), 2023/24:2211 av Johanna Hornberger och Josefin Malmqvist (båda M) yrkandena 1-4, 2023/24:2392 av Christian Carlsson (KD), 2023/24:2457 av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C) yrkandena 2 och 3, 2023/24:2480 av Helena Lindahl m.fl. (C) yrkande 12, 2023/24:2615 av Ulrika Heie och Anne-Li Sjölund (båda C) och 2023/24:2646 av Mikael Damberg m.fl. (S) yrkande 4.
Riksdag decision: The Riksdag rejected approximately 40 proposals on municipal matters. The motions address, among other things, the economic equalization system, long-term financing of welfare, profits within welfare operations, targeted state grants, municipal supervision fees, the freedom of choice act, conditions for actors within welfare, reporting on how tax funds are used, ideologically-driven actors, and knowledge dissemination within the municipal sector. The proposals were submitted during the general motion period of 2023. The Riksdag refers, among other things, to ongoing investigative work.
Counter-proposals
- The counter-proposal wants the government to work toward an equalization system that promotes equivalent welfare throughout the country to a greater extent. (S, V, MP) — Reservation 1
Plan vs actual vote
Every party, in chamber order: what its own plan pointed to, how it voted, and the reasoning behind both. Highlighted rows are where the two differ — but a vote that follows the plan is a result too, so the reasoning is there for every party.
The plan demands that the equalisation rate in the municipal tax equalisation system be raised so that the regional policy objectives are fully achieved, and that all municipalities and regions shall have equivalent conditions to provide good school, healthcare and care.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan demands that the equalisation rate in the municipal tax equalisation system be raised so that the regional policy objectives are fully achieved, and that all municipalities and regions shall have equivalent conditions to provide good school, healthcare and care. Work towards an equalisation system that to a greater degree promotes equivalent welfare across the whole country follows therefore directly from the plan. The plan does not address the committee's grounds for awaiting the ongoing investigation.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att utjämningsgraden i det kommunala skatteutjämningssystemet höjs så att de regionalpolitiska målsättningarna nås fullt ut, och att alla kommuner och regioner ska ha likvärdiga förutsättningar att erbjuda bra skola, vård och omsorg. Ett arbete för ett utjämningssystem som i högre grad främjar likvärdig välfärd i hela landet följer därför direkt av planen. Planen berör inte utskottets skäl att avvakta den pågående utredningen.
- raised equalisation ratedecisive»skola, vård, omsorg och service, som t.ex. räddningstjänst. Skattepolitiken ska gynna hela landet. Utjämningsgraden i kommunala skatteutjämningssystemet bör höjas så att systemet når de regionalpolitiska« (party programme ↗)“school, healthcare, care and service, such as rescue services. Tax policy shall benefit the whole country. The equalisation rate in the municipal tax equalisation system should be raised so that the system achieves the regional policy”
- equivalent conditions»En generell välfärd betyder samtidigt att alla kommuner och landsting ska ha likvärdiga förutsättningar att erbjuda sina medborgare bra« (party programme ↗)“General welfare at the same time means that all municipalities and regions shall have equivalent conditions to offer their citizens good”
- increased state redistribution»Omfördelningen från stat till region och kommun måste öka och särskild hänsyn ska tas till de många kommuner och regioner som idag inte får ihop sin ekonomi« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Redistribution from state to region and municipality must increase and special consideration shall be given to the many municipalities and regions that today cannot make their finances balance”
- targeted state support»målsättningarna fullt ut. Det ska vara möjligt att ge riktade statliga« (party programme ↗)“objectives fully. It should be possible to give targeted state”
The plan explicitly states that the tax equalization system shall be reviewed so that high-quality public service is guaranteed throughout the country, even in small municipalities with weak population base.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly states that the tax equalization system shall be reviewed so that high-quality public service is guaranteed throughout the country, even in small municipalities with weak population base. The counter-proposal's demand for an equalization system that to a greater extent promotes equal welfare throughout the country is the same commitment. The plan complements this with continued increased government grants to municipalities and regions.
Original (Swedish)
Planen säger uttryckligen att skatteutjämningssystemet ska ses över så att offentlig service av hög kvalitet garanteras i hela landet, även i små kommuner med svagt befolkningsunderlag. Motförslagets krav på ett utjämningssystem som i större utsträckning främjar likvärdig välfärd i hela landet är samma åtagande. Planen kompletterar detta med fortsatt ökade statsbidrag till kommuner och regioner.
- review of tax equalizationdecisive»För att säkra välfärden i hela landet behöver vi se över skatteutjämningssystemet, så att det garanterar offentlig service av hög kvalitet i hela landet, även i små kommuner som kämpar med sitt befolkningsunderlag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“To ensure welfare throughout the country, we need to review the tax equalization system so that it guarantees high-quality public service throughout the country, even in small municipalities struggling with their population base.”
- equal welfare throughout the country»Alla invånare i hela landet ska ha likvärdig tillgång till skola, vård och omsorg.« (party programme ↗)“All inhabitants throughout the country shall have equal access to education, healthcare and care.”
- increased government grants»Vi vill fortsätta öka statens bidrag till kommuner och regioner.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to continue increasing the state's grants to municipalities and regions.”
- more resources for welfare»Öka resurserna till välfärden i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase resources for welfare throughout the country.”
The party programme establishes that a well-functioning tax system should provide equal economic conditions for delivering municipal services throughout the country and that state regulations should work equally well for small municipalities as for large ones.
Plan documents: party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme establishes that a well-functioning tax system should provide equal economic conditions for delivering municipal services throughout the country and that state regulations should work equally well for small municipalities as for large ones. Welfare services shall be offered on equal terms and according to need, including through socioeconomic weighting. Work on an equalization system that to a greater degree promotes equal welfare throughout the country is therefore precisely what the plan requires.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet slår fast att ett väl fungerande skattesystem ska ge likvärdiga ekonomiska förutsättningar att bedriva kommunal service i hela landet och att statliga regelverk ska fungera lika bra för små kommuner som för stora. Välfärdstjänster ska erbjudas på lika villkor och efter behov, bland annat genom socioekonomisk viktning. Ett arbete för ett utjämningssystem som i högre grad främjar likvärdig välfärd i hela landet är därmed just planens krav.
- equal conditions for municipalitiesdecisive»Ett väl fungerande skattesystem ska ge likvärdiga ekonomiska förutsättningar« (party programme ↗)“A well-functioning tax system should provide equal economic conditions”
- welfare on equal terms»Välfärdstjänster inom vård, skola och omsorg ska« (party programme ↗)“Welfare services in healthcare, education and care shall”
- socioeconomic resource distribution»former av socioekonomisk viktning.« (party programme ↗)“forms of socioeconomic weighting.”
- small municipalities' conditions»regelverk ska fungera lika bra för små kommuner som« (party programme ↗)“regulations should work equally well for small municipalities as”
The party programme names a well-functioning tax equalization system as a policy instrument for all parts of the country to be given equivalent conditions.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The party programme names a well-functioning tax equalization system as a policy instrument for all parts of the country to be given equivalent conditions. The election manifesto requires that all residents have access to equivalent and reliable welfare regardless of where they live and makes this a matter of justice. Work on a tax equalization system that to a higher degree promotes equivalent welfare therefore follows directly from the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Partiprogrammet namnger ett väl fungerande skatteutjämningssystem som ett styrmedel för att alla delar av landet ska ges likvärdiga förutsättningar. Valmanifestet kräver att alla invånare har tillgång till en likvärdig och pålitlig välfärd oavsett var de bor och gör detta till en fråga om rättvisa. Ett arbete för ett utjämningssystem som i högre grad främjar likvärdig välfärd följer därför direkt av planen.
- functioning tax equalizationdecisive»Exempel på sådana styrmedel är ett väl fungerande skatteutjämningssystem« (party programme ↗)“An example of such policy instruments is a well-functioning tax equalization system”
- equivalent conditions in the country»Alla delar av landet ska ges likvärdiga förutsättningar för utveckling och tillväxt.« (party programme ↗)“All parts of the country shall be given equivalent conditions for development and growth.”
- equivalent welfare regardless of residence»Alla invånare ska ha tillgång till en likvärdig och pålitlig välfärd oavsett var de bor, och den offentliga servicen ska finnas där när man behöver den.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“All residents shall have access to equivalent and reliable welfare regardless of where they live, and public service shall be there when needed.”
- justice between regions»Att hela landet ska leva är också en fråga om rättvisa.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“That the whole country shall live is also a matter of justice.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan requires that economic conditions for municipalities and regions be equalized with respect to factors that cannot be influenced and that individuals regardless of residence have the right to equivalent quality in welfare services.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan requires that economic conditions for municipalities and regions be equalized with respect to factors that cannot be influenced and that individuals regardless of residence have the right to equivalent quality in welfare services. The counter-proposal's requirement for an equalization system that more greatly promotes equivalent welfare across the country is the same commitment. The plan simultaneously requires that conditions for growth be strengthened across the country.
Original (Swedish)
Planen kräver att de ekonomiska villkoren för kommuner och regioner utjämnas med avseende på faktorer som inte går att påverka och att individer oavsett bostadsort har rätt till likvärdig kvalitet i välfärdstjänsterna. Motförslagets krav på ett utjämningssystem som i högre grad främjar likvärdig välfärd i hela landet är samma åtagande. Planen kräver samtidigt att förutsättningarna för tillväxt stärks i hela landet.
- equalization for uncontrollable factorsdecisive»utjämnas med avseende på faktorer som inte går att påverka.« (party programme ↗)“equalized with respect to factors that cannot be influenced.”
- equivalent welfare regardless of residence»Oavsett bostadsort har individer rätt att få likvärdig kvalitet på vården, omsorgen, socialtjänsten« (party programme ↗)“Regardless of residence, individuals have the right to receive equivalent quality in health care, care, social services”
- state financing responsibility for equality»Vi vill skapa mer likvärdiga villkor och skatter genom att flytta finansieringsansvaret för bland annat skolan och LSS till staten.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to create more equivalent conditions and taxes by shifting financing responsibility for among other things schools and LSS to the state.”
- growth across the country»företagande, innovationer och tillväxt ska stärkas i hela landet.« (party programme ↗)“enterprise, innovation and growth shall be strengthened across the country.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan explicitly establishes that the system for municipal equalization should be national and designed so that differences in tax base, population structure, geographic distances and social circumstances are equalized, and that everyone regardless of residence should have access to society's basic rights.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan explicitly establishes that the system for municipal equalization should be national and designed so that differences in tax base, population structure, geographic distances and social circumstances are equalized, and that everyone regardless of residence should have access to society's basic rights. The counter-proposal's demand for work on an equalization system that to a greater extent promotes equivalent welfare throughout the country is precisely this.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår uttryckligen fast att systemet för kommunal utjämning ska vara statligt och utformat så att skillnader i skattekraft, befolkningsstruktur, geografiska avstånd och sociala omständigheter utjämnas, och att alla oavsett bostadsort ska få del av samhällets grundläggande rättigheter. Motförslagets krav på ett arbete för ett utjämningssystem som i större utsträckning främjar likvärdig välfärd i hela landet är precis detta.
- statlig kommunal utjämningdecisive»Systemet för kommunal utjämning ska vara statligt och så utformat att konsekvenserna av skillnader« (party programme ↗)“The system for municipal equalization should be national and designed so that the consequences of differences”
- likvärdig välfärd oavsett bostadsort»Alla människor ska oavsett bostadsort kunna få del av« (party programme ↗)“All people should regardless of residence be able to access”
- statligt stöd till svaga kommuner»Det är en statlig uppgift att stödja kommuner som« (party programme ↗)“It is a national responsibility to support municipalities that”
- inget postkodlotteri i välfärden»Var i landet du bor ska inte avgöra vilken sjukvård du får.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Where in the country you live should not determine what health care you receive.”
The stance rests on the quoted commitment in the party's own documents; the actual vote deviated. Click the quote to verify it in the document.
The plan establishes that you should be able to feel secure that welfare functions regardless of where in the country you live and that everyone has the right to equal care, and it wants to increase equality among other things through clearer state control of school funding.
Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that you should be able to feel secure that welfare functions regardless of where in the country you live and that everyone has the right to equal care, and it wants to increase equality among other things through clearer state control of school funding. Work for an equalisation system that to a greater extent promotes equal welfare is in line with this. However, the plan does not express itself on the equalisation system's design, and at the same time wants decisions to be made at the lowest effective level.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att man ska kunna känna sig trygg med att välfärden fungerar oavsett var i landet man bor och att alla har rätt till likvärdig vård, och den vill öka likvärdigheten bland annat genom tydligare statlig styrning av skolpengen. Ett arbete för ett utjämningssystem som i högre grad främjar likvärdig välfärd ligger i linje med detta. Planen uttalar sig dock inte om utjämningssystemets utformning, och vill samtidigt att beslut fattas på lägsta effektiva nivå.
- equal welfare throughout the countrydecisive»Du ska kunna känna dig trygg med att välfärden fungerar oavsett var i landet du bor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“You shall be able to feel secure that welfare functions regardless of where in the country you live.”
- equal care»Alla har rätt till likvärdig vård – som kan ges i rätt tid och håller hög kvalitet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Everyone has the right to equal care - which can be provided in good time and maintains high quality.”
- state control for equality»Öka likvärdigheten genom att införa ett gemensamt kommunalt kösystem och en tydligare statlig styrning av skolpengen« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Increase equality by introducing a joint municipal queue system and clearer state control of school funding”
- municipal self-government»Det politiska systemet ska bygga på att beslut fattas på lägsta« (party programme ↗)“The political system shall be based on decisions being made at the lowest”
flags: citat_migrerat
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
The plan establishes that all citizens shall have the right to equivalent welfare and public services and that public appropriations should secure police, healthcare, schools and care regardless of where in the country one lives.
Plan documents: party programme · 2022 manifesto
Reasoning and quotes
The plan establishes that all citizens shall have the right to equivalent welfare and public services and that public appropriations should secure police, healthcare, schools and care regardless of where in the country one lives. The principle that all of Sweden shall thrive is central. An equalization system that to a greater degree promotes equivalent welfare throughout the country therefore aligns with the plan.
Original (Swedish)
Planen slår fast att alla medborgare ska ha rätt till en likvärdig välfärd och samhällsservice och att offentliga anslag ska säkerställa polis, sjukvård, skola och omsorg oavsett var i landet man bor. Principen att hela Sverige ska leva är central. Ett utjämningssystem som i högre grad främjar likvärdig välfärd i hela landet är därför i linje med planen.
- equivalent welfaredecisive»medborgare skall ha rätt till en likvärdig välfärd och samhällsservice« (party programme ↗)“citizens shall have the right to equivalent welfare and public services”
- welfare regardless of residence»Offentliga anslag ska i första hand fokuseras för att stärka välfärdens hjärta genom höjda pensioner och medel som säkerställer att polis, sjukvård, skola och omsorg oavsett var i landet man bor.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Public appropriations should first and foremost focus on strengthening the heart of welfare through increased pensions and funds that secure police, healthcare, schools and care regardless of where in the country one lives.”
- welfare throughout the country»Sverigedemokraterna vill satsa på en stark välfärd och samhällsservice i hela landet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Sweden Democrats wish to invest in strong welfare and public services throughout the country.”
- all of Sweden shall thrive»Principen om att hela Sverige skall leva är mycket viktig för Sverigedemokraterna.« (party programme ↗)“The principle that all of Sweden shall thrive is very important to Sweden Democrats.”
The plan takes no explicit position on what the committee actually decided — often because the committee's reason was procedural. The stance is derived and fully cited, but it does not show the party broke a commitment.
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Sources and documents
- The committee report on riksdagen.se (2023/24:FiU26)
- Committee report full text (HB01FiU26)
- Per-MP voting data (API)
- Case status (API)
Documents under consideration
- Motion 2023/24:1043 — Vinster i välfärden av Niklas Sigvardsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1288 — Ö-faktor av Hanna Westerén (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1358 — En kommunpolitik för hela landet av Lars Isacsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:1432 — Nationell bank av förebilder och framgångsprojekt av Ann-Sofie Lifvenhage (M)
- Motion 2023/24:1495 — Etableringsfriheten i LOV av Sanne Lennström (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2002 — Statligt underhålls- och investeringsstöd för kommunala fastigheter av Sofie Eriksson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2022 — Förbud mot vinster i välfärden av Niklas Karlsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2030 — Behovet av förändrade avskrivningsregler, lex Malmfälten av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2031 — Stöd till samhällsomställningen av Fredrik Lundh Sammeli m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2118 — Tillsyn inom servicenäringen av Malin Höglund och Crister Carlsson (båda M)
- Motion 2023/24:2191 — Utredning av det kommunala utjämningssystemet av Maria Stockhaus m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2192 — Villkor för fristående aktörer i välfärdssektorn av Maria Stockhaus m.fl. (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2198 — Tydligare redovisning av hur kommunerna använder skattepengarna av Sten Bergheden (M)
- Motion 2023/24:2211 — Reformering av det kommunala utjämningssystemet av Johanna Hornberger och Josefin Malmqvist (båda M)
- Motion 2023/24:2357 — Statsbidragsprincip av Niklas Karlsson m.fl. (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2392 — Rättvisare skatteutjämningssystem av Christian Carlsson (KD)
- Motion 2023/24:2457 — Livskraft och framtidstro i Sveriges landsbygder av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:2480 — Skatter för företagande och tillväxt av Helena Lindahl m.fl. (C)
- Motion 2023/24:249 — Välfärdens långsiktiga finansiering av Kristoffer Lindberg (S)
- Motion 2023/24:2615 — Översyn av det kommunala utjämningssystemet av Ulrika Heie och Anne-Li Sjölund (båda C)
Source: The Swedish Parliament