The Senate on Wednesday followed the House of Representatives, agreeing an additional CHF1.5 billion to compensate businesses for loss of income due to the Covid pandemic.
Following several rounds of debates in both chambers over the past two weeks, parliamentarians increased the planned government expenditure by CHF1.65 billion, notably for agriculture, education and rights of the child.
Projected total revenue for 2021 is CHF75.8 billion against just under 82 billion in expenditure.
About CHF6.6 billion are earmarked for various government measures to soften the impact of the Covid crisis.
During the discussions in parliament, Finance Minister Ueli Maurer commented that the Covid crisis ended 15 years of annual surplus in government financesExternal link.
The government hopes to cope without drastic spending cuts in the next few years, he added.
Last year, the national surplus was CHF3.1 billion and the debts totaled CHF96.9 billion – 13.9% of Gross Domestic Product.
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Government boasts (another) surplus year
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The government announced on Wednesday that it will end the year with a budget surplus more than double of what was forecasted.
Swiss authorities announce cost-cutting in asylum sector
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Various leaders confirm participation at Ukraine peace conference
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In the winter season up to April 2024, railway and cable car operators ferried 3% more visitors compared to the previous winter, and 5% more than the five-year average.
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Swiss government proposes CHF10 million UNRWA donation
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Swiss study: insects mainly migrate at midday and dusk
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A study led by the Swiss Ornithological Institute in canton Lucerne is helping to better understand the movement patterns of migratory insects.
Red Cross: 22 staff killed in Middle East since October
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The Red Cross and Red Crescent network in Gaza and Israel has lost 22 staff members since last October, the Swiss Red Cross (SRC) said on Wednesday.
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Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel has achieved history by becoming the first Swiss goalkeeper to reach a Champion’s League final.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
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Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
Switzerland budgets CHF28 billion for research and education
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A total of CHF28.1 billion ($31.7 billion) will be invested in Swiss education, research and innovation over the next four years.
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