It is customary for the government to obtain parliamentary approval for all expenditure. To this end, ministries present their budgets to parliament at three pre-set times. But beyond these three moments, a budget can be adjusted incidentally in exceptional situations. This is done with a so-called “ancillary supplementary budget,” a separate bill that must first pass the Senate and the House of Representatives.
Crisis situation
However, when there is a new policy, ministries can also plan extra spending without parliamentary approval. This is possible, for example, if, according to a minister, postponing the new policy in a crisis situation “is not in the interest of the state”. The Senate and the House of Representatives must be notified at that time. In 2022, another €41.8 billion was spent and no prior authorization was required for €20.7 billion, according to last year’s 51 ancillary adjustments.