Dispute over state aid for the steel industry in the National Council
Published: Tuesday, Dec 10th 2024, 11:00
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The National Council has approved a bill that aims to enshrine the principles for creating an electricity reserve in law. However, the introductory debate focused on bridging aid for the ailing steel and aluminum industry.
According to the Energy Committee of the National Council, large steel and aluminum production companies are to receive financial relief under certain conditions. Specifically, part of the fees for using the electricity grid are to be waived for four years.
The National Council will make a decision on this later on Tuesday morning. The topic was already the subject of heated debate during the introductory debate.
The center-left campaigned for state aid. The SP, for example, argued that the industry should be supported as Swiss steel is more environmentally friendly than imported steel.
Harsh criticism came from the SVP, FDP and GLP. SVP spokesman Mike Egger (SG) described the state aid as a "new edition of Marxism".
The vote on the bridging aid is likely to be close.
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