The outlook is bleak. The federal government is likely to be in the red several times in the coming years. But that does not stop the Finance Committee of the National Council (FK-N) from wanting to spend more money in the coming year. She is applying for another CHF 11.2 million.
The budget submitted by the Federal Council provides for a deficit of CHF 669 million. However, the debt brake would allow a deficit of 878 million, the Commission announced on Thursday. This results in a volume of 209 million Swiss francs.
According to FK-N, the additional funds are intended to promote the sale of Swiss wine, livestock protection and the world relay championships, which will be held in Lausanne in 2024.
The structural surplus after the preliminary consultation by the FK-N thus amounts to CHF 198 million. The FK-N approved this proposal by 18 votes to 6 with 1 abstention. According to the announcement, the FK-N also supports other federal decisions on the estimate.
It also approved additional appropriations of 1.7 billion francs – for example for Birr AG’s reserve power plant, increased spending due to Ukrainian refugees or vaccinations against monkey pox.
No more money for the reconstruction of Ukraine yet
The additional expenditure approved by parliament, for example to receive Ukrainian refugees or to protect energy companies, is throwing the budget for 2023 out of balance. Nevertheless, the Commission agrees to the additional appropriations for the winter aid action plan for Ukraine. At the same time, however, she does not want to include additional funds for reconstruction in the 2023 budget, at least not for the time being.
The FK-N recognizes the “urgent need for action” with a view to the financial plan for 2024 to 2026 and wants to finalize it early next year. In her statement, she warns of “dark prospects for fiscal developments”.
There is a risk of a deficit of up to seven billion
Finance Minister Ueli Maurer (71) had warned councilors against spending discipline when presenting the financial plan in the summer. In the worst-case scenario, the financing gap could reach seven billion francs by 2026, he warned.
In the December meeting, the councils will discuss the 2023 budget. (SDA)