Budget of government image agency clipped
Parliament has decided to cut the budget of the foreign ministry’s image agency as part of discussions about next year’s federal budget.
The Senate on Wednesday followed the House of Representatives in approving spending cuts of SFr2.5 million ($2.4 million) of Presence Switzerland intended for a publicity campaign in the United States.
Other reductions include axing up to 350 jobs in the government administration and cuts in external consultancy mandates. There will be no additional subsidies for low income earners to pay towards rising health insurance premiums.
Next year’s budget is forecast to result in a deficit of about SFr2.5 billion – expenditure of SFr60.67 billion and revenue of SFr58.21 billion.
The finance ministry expects a SFr700 million surplus for the current year.
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