Special tax or military bond: more money for the military – but where from?

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Save, save, save! FDP Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (60) is taking a tough approach to balancing the federal budget. The pressure is so great that even the army can barely avoid a new round of cuts.

Keller-Sutter’s course causes dissatisfaction in army circles. The accusation is that she focuses too much on saving and wants to shine as a saver instead of leading the way to additional income. More money is needed to modernize the military. More powder! With the current austerity diktat, the Federal Council is at an impasse.

It’s not just within the federal government that people are complaining about the pressure to save money; The call for additional income for the army is also becoming louder in the Bundestag. The call for a special military tax is gaining support.

Special tax for the army

Ypsomed CEO and FDP National Councilor Simon Michel (47, SO) is now also campaigning for a temporary special tax for the armament of the army, as the “Tages-Anzeiger” reports. But it is not the population that has to suffer, but the companies. Michel’s plan: In ten years, corporate profit taxes must be increased at the federal level from the current 8.5 to 9.5 percent. This would add a total of 13 to 14 billion francs. The money must flow to an armaments fund.

Michel is not the first politician who wants to give the army more money through a special tax. For example, center councilor Peter Hegglin (63, ZG) wants to increase VAT by one percentage point for six years – intended for the army. That would generate just over 20 billion francs in six years.

Salzmann wants to redistribute funds

SVP Council of States Werner Salzmann (61, BE) is also looking for additional financing options for the army. His latest proposal: a military band. This would give Swiss citizens or foreign investors the opportunity to invest in the military in the hope of making a nice profit.

Security politician Salzmann is relieved that the army will no longer have to make cuts for the time being. But he is also annoyed by the lack of progress in financing the military. “The Federal Council must withdraw to become aware of what is really important for our country – especially when we have an emergency in mind.”

Unlike Michel and Hegglin, Salzmann does not want additional taxes. Instead, he sees a lot of savings potential in the federal budget that could be made available for the military. “Billions that we now urgently need for the army can be redistributed in the asylum sector or in development aid,” said Salzmann. “A special tax is my last priority.” At least on this point he’s defending Keller-Sutter.

Source:Blick