Bern looks at massive budget cuts

Federal Palace, Bern

The Confederation is looking to cut CHF 5bn from the national budget in the next five years.

The amount that needs to be cut matches the commitment that’s been imposed on the government by voters to pay a 13th month to pensioners.

The chairman of the Federal Finance Administration, Serge Gaillard, says taxes can’t be raised and the debt brake must be kept. So the conclusion is that cuts will have to be made. 

In the spotlight are subsidies for making buildings efficient, child care, cuts to road and train projects, allowing asylum seekers to work and cuts to the federal workforce. 

There could also be changes to the tax paid if people withdraw pensions early and a capital gains tax on property profits. 

 

 

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