2024-11-272024/25:FiU1 · p.1FiUEconomy & finance

Guidelines for economic and budget policy

What's at stake: The decision sets the direction for next year's tax and spending policy, affecting how much workers, pensioners and businesses pay in tax, how quickly healthcare and police get reinforcements, and how families with children and rural households are compensated for high living costs.

Case texts and AI reasoning are AI-translated from the Swedish originals; the Swedish text is authoritative.

What the vote decides

Parliament decides whether economic policy should focus on tax cuts and a stricter work-first approach, or instead prioritise resources for healthcare, crime prevention, and targeted support for households hit by the cost-of-living crisis.

Yes Yes — the committee proposal

The committee shares the government's view that focus can now shift from fighting inflation to investing in growth and security. It backs tax cuts on labour, pensions, savings, business and transport, a strengthened in-work tax credit, a stricter work-first approach with tighter activity requirements, and investment in research, infrastructure and the climate transition — including changes to the emissions reduction mandate and support for wind-power municipalities.

No No — the reservations

Reservation 1 (S)

Policy should instead prioritise reinforcements to healthcare and measures against gang crime, a higher child and study allowance, stronger housing allowance for families with children, expanded and inflation-protected general grants to municipalities and regions, a fuel rebate for rural households instead of cutting petrol and diesel tax, and a state construction stimulus — because ten years of real wage gains have been wiped out, unemployment and gang violence have risen, and healthcare and housebuilding are in crisis.

Summarised from the committee report. Party labels in the summary come from the report, not from the vote.

VSMPCLKDMSD
YesNoAbstainAbsent

What do the votes mean here?

Yes The committee proposal: approving what the committee proposes and rejecting the motions (keeping things as they are).

No Backing the counter-proposal: reservation 1 by S.

Abstain The party marks a position of its own that is not one of the two final alternatives.

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.

PlanVoteConfidenceEvidence
VNoAbstain 0/0/21/3departs from the planconfidence: highderived
Sown reservationNoNo 0/92/0/14follows the planconfidence: highexplicit
MPNoAbstain 0/0/14/4departs from the planconfidence: mediumderived
CYesAbstain 0/0/21/3departs from the planconfidence: mediumderived
LYesYes 15/0/0/1follows the planconfidence: highexplicit
KDYesYes 15/0/0/4follows the planconfidence: highexplicit
MYesYes 59/0/0/9follows the planconfidence: highexplicit
SDYesYes 63/0/0/9follows the planconfidence: mediumexplicit

Committee proposal

The Riksdag approves the guidelines for economic and budget policy proposed by the government. The Riksdag thereby accepts government bill 2024/25:1 on the Finance Plan point 1 and rejects the motions 2024/25:1924 by Nooshi Dadgostar et al. (V) motion 1, 2024/25:2962 by Muharrem Demirok et al. (C) motion 1, 2024/25:3199 by Magdalena Andersson et al. (S) motion 1, and 2024/25:3220 by Amanda Lind et al. (MP) motion 1.

Original (Swedish)

Riksdagen godkänner de riktlinjer för den ekonomiska politiken och budgetpolitiken som regeringen föreslår. Därmed bifaller riksdagen proposition 2024/25:1 finansplanen punkt 1 och avslår motionerna 2024/25:1924 av Nooshi Dadgostar m.fl. (V) yrkande 1, 2024/25:2962 av Muharrem Demirok m.fl. (C) yrkande 1, 2024/25:3199 av Magdalena Andersson m.fl. (S) yrkande 1 och 2024/25:3220 av Amanda Lind m.fl. (MP) yrkande 1.

Riksdag decision: The Riksdag approved the expenditure framework and revenue forecast in the government's budget proposal for 2025. Expenditures are estimated to amount to 1,428 billion kronor and revenues are estimated at 1,374 billion kronor. This means a deficit in the state budget of 55 billion kronor for 2025. The Riksdag approved the expenditure ceiling for the state and approved proposals on tax and fee regulations, which include strengthening the ordinary work tax deduction and the increased basic deduction elimination of phase-out at higher income levels within the work tax deduction, work tax deduction for older workers and the increased basic deduction reduced compensation level in the amount rule for expertise tax reduced tax on petrol and diesel abolished tax on flights expansion of the so-called grow-support a tax-free level for savings in investment accounts and capital insurance phased-out interest deduction for loans without collateral changed bonus-malus for motorhomes and alternative-fuel vehicles. Some of these proposals have been presented in separate government bills, but are announced in the budget proposal and included in the calculation of revenues in the budget. All legislative changes shall enter into force on 1 January 2025 except those concerning abolished tax on flights which enter into force on 1 July 2025 and changed malus for motorhomes and alternative-fuel vehicles which enter into force on 1 February 2025. The Riksdag also approved the government's direction for economic and budget policy. Lower inflation and stable long-term inflation expectations mean that the focus of economic policy can now shift from combating inflation to investing in making Sweden richer and safer again. According to the government, policy should be aimed at continuing to strengthen household purchasing power, restore the work line and increase growth. The Riksdag agrees. The somewhat expansionary fiscal policy provides support to the economic downturn that Sweden is assessed to be in even in 2025. Lower inflation, higher real wages and lower interest rates contribute to household consumption and investments being expected to increase. The labour market recovers gradually during 2025, but unemployment is expected to remain high in 2025. The Riksdag's decision on the expenditure framework for the state budget is binding when the Riksdag in the next step decides on appropriations for the 27 spending areas in the budget.

Counter-proposals

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.

VVänsterpartietNoAbstaindeparts from the planderived

The plan wants to invest more resources in healthcare, increase redistribution to municipalities and regions and build housing with a state construction company and investment support — exactly the priorities the counter-proposal pursues.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan wants to invest more resources in healthcare, increase redistribution to municipalities and regions and build housing with a state construction company and investment support — exactly the priorities the counter-proposal pursues. The plan also requires focus on preventing recruitment of children into gang crime and rejects lower taxes for the few in favor of investments that benefit everyone, which also speaks for targeted fuel rebate rather than general reductions in petrol and diesel tax. The counter-proposal's direction is therefore supported in substance.

Original (Swedish)

Planen vill satsa mer resurser på hälso- och sjukvården, öka omfördelningen till kommuner och regioner samt bygga bostäder med statligt byggbolag och investeringsstöd — precis de prioriteringar motförslaget gör. Planen kräver dessutom att fokus riktas mot att förhindra rekryteringen av barn till gängkriminalitet och avvisar sänkta skatter för ett fåtal framför satsningar som kommer alla till del, vilket också talar för en riktad tankrabatt i stället för generellt sänkt bensin- och dieselskatt. Motförslagets inriktning stöds därför i sak.

  • more resources for healthcaredecisive»Därför vill Vänsterpartiet satsa mer resurser på hälso- och sjukvården och äldreomsorgen, samt satsa på personalen så att vi samtidigt får bort personalbristen och stärker personalens villkor och arbetsmiljö.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore, the Left Party wants to invest more resources in healthcare and care for the elderly, and invest in staff so that we simultaneously eliminate staff shortages and improve staff conditions and working environment.”
  • increased state grants to municipalities»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 samtidigt som de redan har bland landets högsta skatter totalt sett.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Redistribution from state to region and municipality must increase and special consideration must be given to the many municipalities and regions that today cannot make ends meet while already having among the country's highest taxes in total.”
  • state construction stimulus»Vänsterpartiet vill se ett statligt byggbolag, investeringsstöd för ökat bostadsbyggande och en aktiv markpolitik.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The Left Party wants to see a state construction company, investment support for increased housing construction and an active land policy.”
  • prevent gang recruitment»Vissa straff kan behöva höjas men mycket mer fokus måste riktas mot att förhindra rekryteringen av nya barn till gängkriminalitet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Some sentences may need to be increased but much more focus must be directed at preventing the recruitment of new children into gang crime.”

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.

SSocialdemokraternaNoNofollows the planexplicit

The counter-proposal's direction is in all material respects the plan's own commitments: targeted support to those hit hardest by price increases, strengthened economy for families with children, higher pensions and cheaper work commutes for those who travel far to work instead of lower petrol and diesel tax, increased public grants to municipalities and regions as well as preventive work against recruitment into gangs.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The counter-proposal's direction is in all material respects the plan's own commitments: targeted support to those hit hardest by price increases, strengthened economy for families with children, higher pensions and cheaper work commutes for those who travel far to work instead of lower petrol and diesel tax, increased public grants to municipalities and regions as well as preventive work against recruitment into gangs. The plan therefore supports the demand.

Original (Swedish)

Motförslagets inriktning är i allt väsentligt planens egna åtaganden: riktade stöd till dem som drabbas hårdast av prisökningarna, stärkt ekonomi för barnfamiljer, höjda pensioner och billigare arbetsresor för dem som har långt till jobbet i stället för sänkt bensin- och dieselskatt, ökade statsbidrag till kommuner och regioner samt förebyggande arbete mot nyrekrytering till gängen. Planen stöder därför kravet.

  • strengthened economy for families with childrendecisive»Vi är beredda att stärka ekonomin för Sveriges barnfamiljer.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We are ready to strengthen the economy for Sweden's families with children.”
  • higher pensions and cheaper work commutes»Vi vill se höjda pensioner, billigare arbetsresor för dem som har långt till jobbet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We want to see higher pensions, cheaper work commutes for those who travel far to work”
  • increased public grants to the welfare sector»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.”
  • prevention against recruitment»För varje krona som läggs på fler poliser, ska minst en krona läggas på det förebyggande arbetet.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“For every krona spent on more police, at least one krona shall be spent on preventive work.”
MPMiljöpartietNoAbstaindeparts from the planderived

The counter-proposal's package aligns point for point with the plan's own commitments: permanently increased housing benefit for families with children, raised study allowances and child benefits, preventive work in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas against gangs' recruitment of new members, and state support for building more housing.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The counter-proposal's package aligns point for point with the plan's own commitments: permanently increased housing benefit for families with children, raised study allowances and child benefits, preventive work in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas against gangs' recruitment of new members, and state support for building more housing. Choosing a targeted fuel tax rebate for car-dependent households in remote areas instead of a general reduction in petrol and diesel tax also comes closer to the plan's line that those who need a car should get support rather than making fossil fuels cheaper. The plan therefore supports the counter-proposal.

Original (Swedish)

Motförslagets paket sammanfaller punkt för punkt med planens egna åtaganden: permanent förstärkt bostadsbidrag för barnfamiljer, höjt studiestöd och barnbidrag, förebyggande arbete i socioekonomiskt eftersatta områden mot gängens nyrekrytering, och statligt stöd för att bygga fler bostäder. Att välja en riktad tankrabatt för bilberoende hushåll i glesbygd i stället för generellt sänkt bensin- och dieselskatt ligger också närmare planens linje att den som behöver bil ska få stöd snarare än att fossila bränslen görs billigare. Planen stöder därför motförslaget.

  • raised housing benefit for families with childrendecisive»höja bostadsbidraget för barnfamiljer och bostadstillägget för pensionärer.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“raise housing benefit for families with children and housing allowance for pensioners.”
  • raised study allowances»höja studiestödet och förbättra studenters a-kassa och sjukförsäkring.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“raise study allowances and improve students' unemployment insurance and sick leave insurance.”
  • prevent recruitment to gangs»storsatsa på det förebyggande arbetet i socioekonomiskt eftersatta områden.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“make major efforts on preventive work in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.”
  • state building stimulus»bygga fler klimatsmarta hyresrätter med rimliga hyror, utveckla och utöka investeringsstödet som gjorde det billigare att bygga och se till att fler kan äga sin bostad.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“build more climate-smart rental apartments with reasonable rents, develop and expand the investment support that made it cheaper to build and ensure more can own their home.”

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.

CCenterpartietYesAbstaindeparts from the planderived

The plan prioritizes lower tax burden, management of taxpayers' money and more money to welfare's core than to benefits, and explicitly rejects short-term populist initiatives.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan prioritizes lower tax burden, management of taxpayers' money and more money to welfare's core than to benefits, and explicitly rejects short-term populist initiatives. The counter-proposal's direction with raised child and study benefits, permanently strengthened housing benefit, expanded and inflation-protected general state grants and state building stimulus pulls in the opposite direction. Compensating car-dependent households in sparsely populated areas lies closer to the plan's demands for compensation for the countryside's long distances.

Original (Swedish)

Planen prioriterar sänkt skattetryck, hushållning med skattebetalarnas pengar och mer pengar till välfärdens kärna än till bidrag, och avvisar uttryckligen kortsiktiga populistiska satsningar. Motförslagets inriktning med höjda barn- och studiebidrag, permanent förstärkt bostadsbidrag, utökade och inflationsskyddade generella statsbidrag och statlig byggstimulans drar i motsatt riktning. Att kompensera bilberoende hushåll i glesbygd ligger däremot nära planens krav på kompensation för landsbygdens långa avstånd.

  • welfare core before benefitsdecisive»Mer pengar ska läggas på välfärdens kärna, mindre på bidrag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More money should be spent on welfare's core, less on benefits.”
  • reduced total tax burden»Det totala skattetrycket måste ner nästa mandatperiod. Vi kommer inte att medverka till några skattehöjningar som skadar jobben, det egna sparandet eller gör det dyrare att bo.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The total tax burden must come down in the next electoral term. We will not participate in any tax increases that harm jobs, personal savings or make it more expensive to live.”
  • no to short-term initiatives»Ett resultatinriktat ledarskap som säger nej till kortsiktiga populistiska satsningar och istället söker långsiktiga och konstruktiva överenskommelser förankrade i mitten.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“A results-oriented leadership that says no to short-term populist initiatives and instead seeks long-term and constructive agreements anchored in the middle.”
  • compensation for countryside distances»Det reformerade reseavdraget måste i större utsträckning kompensera för de kostnader som följer med de långa avstånden på landsbygden.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The reformed travel deduction must to a greater extent compensate for the costs that follow from the long distances in the countryside.”

Worldstate weighed in: Inflation down to 1.6 percent and policy rate cut to 2.75 percent — The acute cost situation the plan's housing support was based on has eased, which reduces the weight of the counter-proposal's crisis support

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.

LLiberalernaYesYesfollows the planexplicit

The counter-proposal is built on increased child, study and housing allowances, expanded general state grants and state construction stimulus.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The counter-proposal is built on increased child, study and housing allowances, expanded general state grants and state construction stimulus. The election manifesto goes in the opposite direction: the benefit system shall be limited by a benefit cap, expensive building subsidies shall be abolished and the emphasis lies on a new broad job tax credit so that more contribute and fewer receive benefits. The plan thereby rejects the counter-proposal's direction in substance.

Original (Swedish)

Motförslaget bygger på höjda barn-, studie- och bostadsbidrag, utökade generella statsbidrag och en statlig byggstimulans. Valmanifestet går i motsatt riktning: bidragssystemet ska begränsas av ett bidragstak, dyra byggsubventioner ska avskaffas och tyngdpunkten ligger på ett nytt brett jobbskatteavdrag så att fler bidrar och färre går på bidrag. Planen avvisar därmed motförslagets inriktning i sak.

  • benefit capdecisive»Därför vill vi modernisera bidragssystemet genom ett bidragstak – de samlade bidragen ska inte kunna vara högre än de lägsta kollektivavtalade lönerna.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Therefore we want to modernize the benefit system through a benefit cap – the combined benefits shall not be able to be higher than the lowest collectively agreed wages.”
  • abolished building subsidies»Dagens dyra byggsubventioner ska avskaffas och ett nytt system med behovsbostäder ska införas för grupper med särskilt stora bostadsbehov, såsom våldsutsatta och familjer med mycket svag ekonomi.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Today's expensive building subsidies shall be abolished and a new system with housing needs shall be introduced for groups with particularly large housing needs, such as abuse survivors and families with very weak economy.”
  • lower tax on work»För att stärka arbetslinjen och hushållens ekonomi i ett oroligt ekonomiskt läge vill vi skyndsamt genomföra ett nytt brett jobbskatteavdrag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“To strengthen the work ethic and household economy in a turbulent economic situation we want to quickly implement a new broad job tax credit.”
  • work ethic over benefits»Fler måste bidra – färre måste gå på bidrag.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“More must contribute – fewer must receive benefits.”
KDKristdemokraternaYesYesfollows the planexplicit

The election manifesto promises to lower petrol and diesel prices substantially for everyone, while the counter-proposal explicitly chooses a targeted fuel rebate instead of reduced petrol and diesel tax.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto · party programme

Reasoning and quotes

The election manifesto promises to lower petrol and diesel prices substantially for everyone, while the counter-proposal explicitly chooses a targeted fuel rebate instead of reduced petrol and diesel tax. The plan also wants the individual to primarily retain his or her own salary or pension before supplementary benefits are paid out, and to lower tax on pensions rather than raise child and study allowances. The alternative's direction therefore conflicts with the plan, although healthcare is prioritised in both.

Original (Swedish)

Valmanifestet lovar att sänka bensin- och dieselpriserna rejält för alla, medan motförslaget uttryckligen väljer en riktad tankrabatt i stället för sänkt bensin- och dieselskatt. Planen vill också att den enskilde i första hand får behålla sin egen lön eller pension innan kompletterande bidrag betalas ut, och sänka skatten på pension, snarare än att höja barn- och studiebidrag. Alternativets inriktning strider därför mot planen, även om vården prioriteras i båda.

  • lower fuel taxes for alldecisive»Sänk bensin- och dieselpriserna rejält för alla, främst genom minskad inblandningen av dyrt biobränsle.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Lower petrol and diesel prices substantially for everyone, primarily by reducing expensive biofuel blending.”
  • lower tax before benefits»Skattesystemet ska vara utformat så att den enskilde i största möjliga utsträckning får behålla sin egen« (party programme ↗)“The tax system shall be designed so that the individual to the greatest possible extent retains his or her own”
  • lower tax on pensions»Sänkt skatt på pension.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Lower tax on pensions.”
  • healthcare is prioritised»Vi prioriterar vården, för alla dem som lider i väntan på vård.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“We prioritise healthcare, for all those who suffer while waiting for care.”
MModeraternaYesYesfollows the planexplicit

The counter-proposal wants to replace reduced petrol and diesel tax with a targeted fuel rebate, raise child and study allowances as well as housing allowances and introduce state building stimulus.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The counter-proposal wants to replace reduced petrol and diesel tax with a targeted fuel rebate, raise child and study allowances as well as housing allowances and introduce state building stimulus. The plan promises instead generally reduced fuel prices, a benefit cap so that benefits never exceed work income and abolished multi-child supplement from the fourth child, all within a protected surplus target. The counter-proposal's demand thus conflicts with the plan's core commitments on work line and fuel prices. Therefore, the demand is rejected.

Original (Swedish)

Motförslaget vill ersätta sänkt bensin- och dieselskatt med en riktad tankrabatt, höja barn- och studiebidrag samt bostadsbidrag och införa statlig byggstimulans. Planen utlovar tvärtom generellt sänkta bränslepriser, ett bidragstak så att bidrag aldrig överstiger en arbetsinkomst och avskaffat flerbarnstillägg från fjärde barnet, allt inom ett värnat överskottsmål. Motförslagets krav strider därmed mot planens bärande åtaganden om arbetslinje och bränslepriser. Därför avvisas kravet.

  • reduced fuel taxdecisive»Sänka priset på bensin och diesel så att du klarar din vardagsekonomi« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Lower the price of petrol and diesel so you can manage your everyday economy”
  • benefit cap»Införa ett bidragstak så att de samlade bidragen aldrig kan bli högre än lönen från ett arbete« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Introduce a benefit cap so that total benefits can never exceed the income from work”
  • not increased child benefits»Avskaffa flerbarnstillägget från och med barn fyra så att inte kvinnor i stora familjer fastnar i hemmet« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Abolish the multi-child supplement from the fourth child so that women in large families do not get stuck at home”
  • order in government finances»Överskottsmålet ska värnas och det är inte aktuellt att övergå till ett balansmål.« (2022 manifesto ↗)“The surplus target shall be protected and it is not current to move to a balanced budget.”

Worldstate weighed in: Inflation has fallen to 3.7 per cent while the policy rate is at 3.75 per cent — the plan's tax cuts become possible to implement without counteracting inflation control, which strengthens the line against increased benefits

SDSverigedemokraternaYesYesfollows the planexplicit

The plan has as an explicit commitment to lower tax on petrol and diesel, while the counter-proposal explicitly wants to replace such a reduction with a targeted fuel rebate.

Plan documents: 2022 manifesto

Reasoning and quotes

The plan has as an explicit commitment to lower tax on petrol and diesel, while the counter-proposal explicitly wants to replace such a reduction with a targeted fuel rebate. The plan additionally wants to convert the multi-child allowance into a tax-reducing deduction for working parents and make work more profitable, rather than raise child and student allowances. That the plan also wants to raise pensions and strengthen healthcare is insufficient to support the counter-proposal's guidelines.

Original (Swedish)

Planen har som uttalat åtagande att sänka skatten på bensin och diesel, medan motförslaget uttryckligen vill ersätta en sådan sänkning med en riktad tankrabatt. Planen vill dessutom omvandla flerbarnstillägget till ett skattereducerande avdrag för arbetande föräldrar och göra det mer lönsamt att arbeta, snarare än att höja barn- och studiebidrag. Att planen också vill höja pensionerna och stärka vården räcker inte för att bära motförslagets riktlinjer.

  • lower fuel taxdecisive»Sänka skatten på bensin och diesel« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Lower tax on petrol and diesel”
  • deduction instead of allowance»Omvandla flerbarnstillägget till ett skattereducerande flerbarnsavdrag för arbetande föräldrar« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Convert the multi-child allowance into a tax-reducing multi-child deduction for working parents”
  • work-based approach»Göra det lönsamt att arbeta och bidra till samhället« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Make work profitable and contribute to society”
  • higher pensions»Höja pensionerna« (2022 manifesto ↗)“Raise pensions”

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Sources and documents

Documents under consideration

Source: The Swedish Parliament