The Swiss federal government expects to have a shortfall of SFr600 million ($542.89 million) in 2011, not including extraordinary expenditures.
This content was published on
1 minute
In total the government plans to collect about SFr61.9 billion and spend SFr62.5 billion. On top of that, authorities will pour an additional SFr1.1 billion into the Swiss Federal Railways pension fund and make a one-time payment of SFr850 million to an account for infrastructure projects.
The government’s overall financial standing improved during the federal fiscal period. The budget for 2011-2013, which was set in August 2009 during the height of the economic recession, emanated from a need to save SFr2.5 billion to SFr4 billion annually.
In 2011, only portions of a savings programme discussed by lawmakers will have to be implemented since the government has met targets to help keep debt under control, officials said on Thursday.
Thanks to the more favourable economic climate additional revenue is being created, and the government expects to save about SFr1.5 billion annually through an existing cost-cutting programme.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Finance ministry backs swissinfo budget cuts
This content was published on
Financial subsidies to the multimedia internet portal swissinfo.ch would go as part of SFr525 million ($483 million) in savings planned for the environment, transport, energy and communication ministry. SFr130 million would be cut from the field of media. The plans will have to be confirmed by the cabinet in June and would need to go…
This content was published on
Among the 1,500 people to have backed the petition so far are Walter Kälin, the United Nations representative for internally displaced persons, and Alfred Defago, Switzerland’s former ambassador to the United States. The petition (see link) calls on the government and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SBC) to continue to contribute 50 per cent each to…
This content was published on
The lion’s share of the stimulus package will be directed at transport. The measures are expected to be approved by parliament next month. They are necessary, the government said, as the economic outlook has worsened since the first phase worth SFr341 million was introduced in November. The rescue package echoes what is taking place around…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.