Geneva - tax cuts and free transport?

Friday, 22 March 2024 06:30

Canton Geneva is in the enviable position of discussing what to do with a surprise budgetary surplus.

The canton’s revenues are 20% above forecasts – driven by a thriving economy.

It was expecting a deficit of CHF 426m – but revenues exceeded forecasts by CHF 1.8bn.

The canton has been able to cut debt – including a hole in its own pension fund – and can also offer a tax cut for middle class workers and is proposing free public transport for the under 25s.

Those proposals do need to have the backing of the Grand Council.

There are some detractors. The Geneva Citizens Party opposes free transport for all under 25s – it wants the benefit to be only available to residents.

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