Switzerland’s austerity plan takes water

More and more, Karin Keller-Sutter takes the water.Image: keystone

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Ever more expensive combat aircraft. For example, a bunch of savings that melts like snow in the sun: the situation of federal finances is anything but pink. Therefore, AVS and the army may have to deal with heavy additional expenses.

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The 2025 school race of the Federal Council took him to the canton of Saint-Gall, homeland of Karin Keller-Sutter. For example, She should not frankly have her heart at the party, and for good reason. In addition, At the end of the last government meeting before the summer, two news fell, which did not delight the president. Similarly, This news should further aggravate the financial situation of the Confederation.

The Minister PLR of finance first presented itself before the media. In addition, The discussion focused on the aid plan that the Federal Council intends to implement to deal with imminent deficits. Consequently, of several billion. For example, switzerland’s austerity plan takes water After strong criticism during the consultation, this package was planed. However, In its report, the group of Gaillard experts suggested savings of 3.9 billion for 2027. Meanwhile, From now on, it is only a question of 2.4 billion.

The seven wise men. Similarly, the chancellor on Thursday at the Château de Raterswil.Image: keystone

The Federal Council therefore seems to have heard cantons and communes. Moreover, They feared, probably, that Berne’s economy measures would fall on them. Moreover, The government had also explicitly abundant in this direction as part switzerland’s austerity plan takes water of the funding of the reception of children. However, He now says he is ready for cantons concessions in certain areas.

Save the climate – Switzerland's austerity plan takes water

Berne has therefore not managed to dispel their skepticism. Consequently, We had to let go of ballast with regard to the tax increases provided for the capital withdrawals from the second. For example, third pillars – hitherto favored. The amounts of less than 100,000 francs will not be affected. What nevertheless make the PLR ​​jump, who left Keller-Sutter. He already threatens to launch a referendum.

It is unlikely that it will go so far. This “provident tax” should be rejected by bourgeois parties to parliament -. with it the part of the package which provides for additional revenues. The Federal Council remains firm on economies switzerland’s austerity plan takes water at other levels, such as climate policy. A question “of spirit of time”. Thus, 400 million francs should be removed for the sanitation of buildings.

The Greens are dismayed:

For his part, Keller-Sutter urged Parliament to “enter reality and to stick to the Constitution, which asks to balance federal finances”.

It looks like a hitherto boutish watchword, because other savings proposals also come up against refusals. Only certain measures should “survive” the parliamentary debate, if they do so. “The” savings plan “of the Federal Council is doomed to failure,” wrote already watson Last fall.

The mystery of the “fixed” switzerland’s austerity plan takes water price of the F-35

At the same time. a staggering project is likely to cost very expensive: the acquisition of the American fighter airplane F-35. Switzerland wants to buy 36 for a “fixed price” of six billion. The Minister of Defense at the time, Viola Amherd, had underlined it several times. But now, Berne should “set an extension” on the table of up to 1.3 billion.

The United States is talking about a “misunderstanding”. The warnings against the “question of costs” have existed since Amherd communicated the decision on the F-35, four years ago. In 2022. federal finance control wrote that there was “no legal guarantee for a fixed price within the meaning of a package according to Swiss jurisprudence”.

History seems to prove him right. The Minister of Defense. Martin Pfister and the Head switzerland’s austerity plan takes water of Armament, Urs Loher reject any “supplement”, as underlined Wednesday before the media. They will use diplomatic means to impose the fixed price. while Switzerland at an attesting to “negotiate” customs duties with the Trump administration.

The two men against journalists on Wednesday.Image: keystone

Their chances of success seem to be thin. and not only because, basic, Washington holds the knife by the handle. During armaments purchases. an American law indeed prohibits the government from promoting other countries At the expense of its own taxpayers, SRF radio switzerland’s austerity plan takes water reported on Thursday. Switzerland will therefore likely “swallow” additional costs or reduce the number of planes.

Martin Pfister and Urs Loher, boss of Armasuisse, also broadcast Ulogans at the boutish, followed by bourgeois politicians. The PS and the Greens ask for a popular vote and a parliamentary commission of inquiry (CEP). According to a survey of watsonthe F-35 would find it difficult to go to voters. 66% would reject it today.

Viola Amherd is the subject of strong criticism, not without reason. Its fixed price was naive, because the overruns are not uncommon in armament contracts. Switzerland had experienced it in the 1960s, with French mirage devices. Instead of 100, only 57 were finally bought.

Switzerland&#039. s austerity plan takes water

Always more than billions in the army budget

Additional costs of several billion for the F-35, a fragile savings package: the financial debacle threatens Bern. Because other additional expenses should arrive, mainly for the AVS and the army. The 13th annuity will have to be financed. And the military budget must be increased to 1% of the gross domestic product by 2035.

NATO even decided on Wednesday to set an objective of 5%. Even by “cheating” a little. if Switzerland refers for example to its higher purchasing power, it could be put under pressure to follow the movement. For example by Donald Trump and his government. However, the Federal Council and Parliament already do not know how they will pay the goal by 1%.

The announcements broadcast Wednesday falls like soufflés. What is now necessary is to discuss additional recipes, for example by releasing switzerland’s austerity plan takes water the debt brake. Easier to say than to do. While in Germany, Parliament is competent, in Switzerland, the people must rule. The decision would then not have a health walk.

“We will not let go of our low debt, it is a real asset,” said Karin Keller-Sutter on Wednesday. She does not want to hear about tax increases. for which it would also be necessary a majority of the cantons. But be content to grop and hope for revenue in the end higher, you talk about a strategy …

Translated. adapted by Valentine Zenker

The center for “recalcitrant” asylum seekers of the Cernets in the Verrières (ne) will close in the “near future”. The State Secretariat for Migration and the Municipality exchanged their points of view this week on operations.

The two parties agreed to close the specific center. without however fixing a date, said the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) switzerland’s austerity plan takes water on Friday. The latter and the cantons will now discuss the rest of the eventswe learned in a press release.