Swiss economy receives another boost

Parliament has now approved a third economy stimulus package, valued at about SFr330 million ($322.4 million).

Both chambers – the House of Representatives and the Senate – accepted a compromise plan to reduce the original sum foreseen by about SFr120 million francs.

The new package is intended to help the long-term unemployed and young people without a job.

Economics Minister Doris Leuthard was critical of moves to torpedo the package, arguing that it was important to give young people a chance.

“This is the most serious crisis in 30 years, unemployment has never been so high and you don’t won’t to do anything?” she asked parliamentarians.

She commented that members of parliament should be constructive and not simply follow party politics by voting against the move.

A first stimulus package of SFr1.5 billion was announced in November last year and a second of more than SFr700 million followed in March.

swissinfo.ch and agencies