When the spring budget is presented on Monday, the Minister of Finance will once again emphasize how uncertain the economic situation is, but at the same time assure that the government has control and is prepared for crises - despite declaring earlier this year that the money for reforms has run out.
Borrows 7.7 billion
Yet the spring budget contains unfunded reforms of around 7.7 billion, meaning the government and the Sweden Democrats must borrow for them.
The Fiscal Policy Council has previously criticized the government for presenting too many unfunded proposals, and the Social Democrats' economic policy spokesperson, Mikael Damberg, is concerned:
The Minister of Finance himself has admitted that the money is gone and now we are approaching the EU's lower limit for how large a country's deficit is allowed to be, he says, referring to the EU's limit of minus 3 percent.
A reduction in taxes on gasoline and diesel is promised for five months, starting on May 1, by 1.40 kronor and 1 krona per liter, respectively. This will cost the state 1.6 billion in reduced tax revenue.
For the individual, it doesn't add up to much - about 120 kronor in total for someone who drives a diesel car 1,400 km per year and 230 kronor for someone who drives a gasoline car and 900 km per year.
Electricity subsidies are promised to households - nothing to businesses - in June. It amounts to 3.4 billion. A homeowner can expect between 1,100 and 1,850 kronor, according to the government.
Anyone living in an apartment who does not have electricity included in the rent can expect between 100 and 200 SEK in support.
Eight billion more
But the government is pushing for more and has applied to the European Commission to lower fuel taxes further, below the EU minimum, for five months. This would reduce the tax by three kronor per liter at a cost of 8 billion.
The key to whether this will happen is whether oil prices continue to be as high as they have been since the US and Israel escalated tensions with Iran.
The sharp proposals to the Riksdag regarding step one of the petrol tax and the electricity subsidy are being put into an extra amending budget at the same time as Monday's spring bill. The Riksdag may be allowed to take another amending budget at the extra session in August, a month before the Riksdag election on 13 September.
The major proposals in the spring budget
Electricity subsidies for households, 2.4 billion (total 3.4 billion but 1 billion was already available in the budget for 2026).
Reduced tax on gasoline and diesel, 1.6 billion.
Compensation to authorities for fossil-free fuels and electric cars, SEK 0.5 billion.
Subsidy to the company that operates Esrange in Kiruna, 386 million.
More IVF attempts for childless people, 327 million (100 million of that is taken from other funding).
Proposals in the legal field, 270 million.
Summer staffing in healthcare, 250 million (125 million taken from national healthcare agency).
Summer jobs in municipalities for young people, 250 million.
1.7 billion is transferred from 2025 to this year's development aid budget due to reduced costs for asylum reception.
Source: Government Offices
