budjettivaltaa

Budjettivalta, or budgetary power, refers to the authority to decide and oversee public finances, including the level of revenue and the allocation of expenditure. It encompasses the right to approve the annual budget, set fiscal priorities, and monitor how funds are used. The term is used in discussions of how public finances are controlled and how political responsibility for spending is distributed.

In Finland, budjettivalta is principally exercised by the Eduskunta (Parliament). The Government, led by the prime minister, prepares and presents the state budget to Parliament, typically in the form of a budget proposal or state budget bill. Parliament debates, may amend, and ultimately approves the budget, which then guides the government’s appropriation of funds and revenue collection for the year. This arrangement embodies parliamentary budgetary control, with the legislature having final say over public finances while the executive implements the budget within that framework.

Legal basis and process: The constitution establishes parliamentary sovereignty over public finances, and the annual state budget is enacted through related budget legislation. The Ministry of Finance coordinates preparation, and parliamentary committees scrutinize revenue and expenditure across sectors. After adoption, financial reporting and auditing provide ongoing oversight, with bodies such as the national audit office and parliamentary committees ensuring compliance and accountability.

Scope and limitations: Budjettivalta covers central government finances; local governments—municipalities and counties—have their own budgetary processes according to local law. European Union rules can influence national budgets, but do not transfer core budgetary authority away from Parliament.

See also: public finance, fiscal policy, budget process, parliamentary oversight.