Switzerland/Federal budget: Federal Council requests an additional 1.6 billion

In order to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the federal government is asking for an additional 1.6 billion, in particular to cover the costs of screening tests.

The federal government needs an additional CHF 1.6 billion to deal with the coronavirus pandemic, the Federal Council said Friday. The Parliament will have to give its approval.

The most important expenditure concerns the costs related to the tests of detection of Covid (1,5 billion). The Federal Office of Public Health, for its part, needs an additional 46 million. Half a million is also needed to secure the ethanol stockpile.

The Federal Council has also adopted a multi-year recovery programme for tourism. Some 17 million is needed.

In addition, the Federal Council is requesting CHF 25 million for the maintenance and sustainable use of forests.

Total expenditure for 2022 thus amounts to CHF 79.6 billion. The financing gap amounts to CHF 950 million.

Source: www.lenouvelliste.ch