Cantonal Council SO Solothurn cantonal parliament wants higher child allowances

The Solothurn cantonal parliament has narrowly approved an increase in family allowances of CHF 30 per month. On Wednesday, parliament declared a mandate to do so to be substantial.

By 45 votes to 40 with 7 abstentions, a request from André Wyss (EVP) was declared to be substantial. Wyss called for an increase in child allowances from the current CHF 200 to CHF 230 and in education allowances from CHF 250 to CHF 280.

This instructs the cantonal government to make the legal changes for higher allowances at the beginning of 2025 or at the latest at the beginning of 2026. The cost-of-living adjustment of CHF 15 and CHF 18 respectively, which has already been decided at federal level, is to be included in the cantonal increase of CHF 30 in total, as proposed by the Cantonal Council's Social and Health Commission (Sogeko).

1.5 million more for cantonal employees

The government council had rejected the increase primarily for financial reasons. The canton's employees alone would receive around CHF 1.5 million more in allowances each year, it said.

Representatives of various parties warned in the debate that higher allowances would also mean money being paid out "with a watering can" to families who did not need it. In times of cantonal austerity measures, an increase was not appropriate.

Supporters argued that family allowances were "money well invested". The economy could cope with the additional costs and a portion would be returned to the canton in the form of higher taxes.

The SVP and FDP voted unanimously against, while the SP and Greens were in favor of higher allowances. The GLP was divided, a majority of the center said yes and thus helped the bill to a breakthrough.