Federal finances Higher army budget to be offset primarily in the asylum system

SDA

19.11.2024 - 17:55

Council of States member Jakob Stark (SVP/TG), as Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the proposals for the budget debate in December.
Council of States member Jakob Stark (SVP/TG), as Chairman of the Finance Committee, presented the proposals for the budget debate in December.
Keystone

The army should have around half a billion francs more at its disposal next year than originally planned. The two responsible parliamentary committees agree on this. How this additional expenditure is to be compensated for will still be a topic of discussion.

Keystone-SDA

The Finance Committee of the Council of States (FK-S) presented its proposals for the budget debate in the winter session at a point de presse on Tuesday evening. On some points, it made the same or similar decisions as its sister committee in the National Council.

The Finance Committees have earmarked CHF 530 million more for the army next year than the Federal Council. While the National Council committee is calling for an increase in army spending to one percent of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2030, the Council of States committee is arguing for this target to be achieved by 2032.

The FK-S wants to compensate for the additional army expenditure in the coming year, particularly in the area of asylum. It envisages cuts totaling CHF 185 million compared to the Federal Council.