Federal Council rejects changes to its benefits

Wednesday, 22 February 2023 06:30

The Federal Council has rejected a motion to re-examine the pay and benefits ministers and ex-ministers receive.

Each minister is paid CHF 457,000 francs and is entitled to a further CHF 30,000 in expenses.

In addition, they get a use of a limousine, first class train travel and access to government owned aircraft.

Retired federal councillors are paid half the salary for the rest of their lives.

National parliamentarian Thomas Burgherr from the Swiss People’s Party believes the benefits should be looked at again.

But the government points out ministers have to be contactable all the time and have a heavy responsibility – and the current package is appropriate.

More from Bitesize News

Geneva could foot the G7 bill

Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.
US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.
French singer banned by Paleo

The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.
Cars going uninspected

The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.
War may lead to rent rises

Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.
Not a heatwave, yet

Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.