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The decision of the Federal Council surprised many SMEs. Two weeks ago, the government announced that interest on all Covid loans would be due almost immediately.
More than 100,000 companies still have such loans that the federal government provided to support the economy during the corona pandemic. So far they have been interest-free for up to half a million Swiss francs. A further 1.5 percent will be charged. For loans of more than 500,000 francs, the interest rate increases from 0.5 to 2 percent.
‘Rate increase is unacceptable’
The affected merchants, including many restaurateurs, are hateful. “It is a slap in the face of the Federal Council,” Claude Ammann (56) recently told Blick. De Solothurn is president of the Fitness and Health Center Association, whose members were hit hard by the pandemic — and are still feeling the effects. The hospitality industry is also upset.
This increases the pressure on the Bundesrat. The trade association – not to be confused with the trade association – has started a petition. “The interest rate increase on the Covid loans is not sustainable,” the union said in a speech to the government and parliament. The Federal Council must reverse its decision and leave interest rates at zero percent for at least another year.
The Greens are putting pressure on parliament
Co-chair of the trade association is Groenen National Alderman and party leader Aline Trede (39). Her fellow party member Franziska Ryser (31), who is also on the board of the trade association, has also become active in parliament. In the extraordinary session on the CS rescue, she filed a request calling on the Federal Council to reverse the interest rate decision.
Although it is only a question that does not oblige the Bundesrat, unlike other initiatives, the Bundesrat has to react more quickly and it is hoped that this will make the government think. The demand has been co-signed by SVP land council member Esther Friedli (45), board member of gastro association Gastrosuisse.
Federal Council broke promises
The politicians accuse the Federal Council of breaking its promise. The then Minister of Finance, Ueli Maurer (72), stated two and a half years ago that interest rates would take into account the interests of SMEs and give them a higher priority than those of the banks.
“Given Maurer’s promise, I never imagined that the Federal Council would suddenly demand interest,” said Green Party leader Trede. “That is mean.” She hopes the resistance from business and politics will convince the Federal Council to reconsider.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
