Geneva communes angry at canton's cash call

Genève Hôtel de Ville

After it’s record-breaking tax haul, Geneva has to pay the most into the national inter-cantonal equalization fund – more even than Zug and Zurich.

The canton has to pay CHF 543m to Bern, CHF 125m more than last year. 

Normally, the money comes direct from the canton’s coffers – but this year, it wants help from the communes. 

The State Councillor for Finance, Nathalie Fontanet says the canton wants to spread the burden and is asking for CHF 108m – 20% of the total amount. 

The communes are outraged – the say they get nothing in return and also suspect the canton is being sly, asking for the cash so shortly after communal elections, knowing many executives will be new. 

The City of Geneva will have to pay CHF 44m. Head of finance for the city, Alfonso Gomez, says he is stunned. He says if the rules are changed, then all the millions the canton gets from social payments from Bern should also be put on the table. 

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