The communitarian budget

Every year the Parliament sets the communitarian budget thus enabling the government to carry out its policies.

Before the coming fiscal year

The Government, together with the specialized department of the ministry, draws up the budget draft and submits it for parliament’s approval. The budget comprises an income and expenditure assessment for the following fiscal year.

The specialized committees, which come under the financial committee’s responsibility, discuss the budget draft and the possible amendments. In theory, the budget is passed at the plenary meeting before the beginning of the fiscal year (usually in December of the previous year). Through its vote, the Parliament entitles the Government to spend the means up to the fixed sums for every budget allocations (appropriations).

In the course of the fiscal year

The Parliament can revise the budget (typically twice a year) in order to meet new or changing demands.

After the end of the fiscal year

The following year, the government files the final detailed account. Its approval is made by decree, just like for the other Parliament’s budget decisions.