Nearly 300,000 francs: FDP-Silberschmidt starts the election campaign with a huge budget

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For the elections to the National Council in 2023, new rules for more transparency in political financing will apply for the first time. For the first time, parties and political actors must disclose their campaign budgets of CHF 50,000 or more for the October elections.

Andri Silberschmidt (29), national councilor of the Zurich FDP, announced his budget yesterday. And it reveals amazing things: 280,000 francs he reported on Thursday on the website of the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO), as the “Tages-Anzeiger” first reported.

Silberschmidt is only the third parliamentarian to present his budget. However, the first to show a six-figure budget. Although the parliamentarians have until September 7, there are already major differences.

“Must appeal to one and a half million people in Zurich”

Silberschmidt’s party colleague and national councilor from Ticino, Alex Farinelli (41), proposes a budget of 65,000 francs on the SFAO side. And Central National Councilor Nicolo Paganini (57) from the canton of St. Gallen starts the race with 54,000 francs according to the budget.

Silberschmidt explains the big difference in the “Tages-Anzeiger” as follows: After all, a St. Gallen only needs to reach half a million people in the canton. He, on the other hand, has to address more than one and a half million people in Zurich with his campaign.

However, according to the National Council of the FDP, he did not receive a large donation. Contributions over CHF 15,000 are considered large donations – their donors must be disclosed under the new rules.

A quarter for advertising

“Many donated between 200 and 400 francs,” says Silberschmidt. He only received “individual donations” between 10,000 and 15,000 francs. However, he will not invest all 280,000 francs in the election campaign.

A quarter (about 70,000 francs) should go to paid advertising – for posters, online ads or otherwise. He had to deduct 15 percent (40,000 francs) from the FDP canton of Zurich. And ten percent (28,000 francs) he spends on events and printing. He also plans joint campaigns with fellow party members and bears a larger share of the costs. If Silberschmidt is re-elected, he wants to invest the rest in parliamentary work. (Okay)

Source:Blick