Couchepin throws support behind national exhibition

The economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, has come out in support of the troubled national exhibition, Expo.02, a day after the organisers said they had met the government's demands for a streamlined version of the showpiece.

The economics minister, Pascal Couchepin, has come out in support of the troubled national exhibition, Expo.02, a day after the organisers said they had met the government’s demands for a streamlined version of the showpiece.

Couchepin, who has been perceived as lukewarm on the national exhibition in the past, told delegates of his Radical Party at a meeting in Muttenz that he wanted the Expo to go ahead and be successful.

He said the situation had been difficult but the budget was now clear, and there was a good chance that Expo.02 could go ahead. He said hoped the Swiss people would show enthusiasm for the project.

The national exhibition, as well as the bilateral accords with the European Union, were a good opportunity for the people to demonstrate their belief in the future and in the progress of society, said Couchepin.

His statement came a day after the exhibition’s organisers presented proposals which will reduce the budget from SFr1.8 billion to SFr1.4 billion. The number of projects is being cut to fulfil the government’s demands for a budget reduction.

The government is due to deliver its verdict on Expo.02 by the middle of February. It will then decide whether it will meet the organisers’ demands for a deficit guarantee on SFr320 million.

Couchepin said in Muttenz that parliament might also be called upon to have its say on the future of the exhibition.

From staff and wire reports.