Mar, Jun 4th 2024
The National Council rejects SVP’s proposal to cut development aid funds to finance the 13th AHV pension.
The National Council opposes cutting development aid funds to finance the 13th AHV pension. On Tuesday, it rejected a corresponding proposal from the SVP, effectively removing the matter from consideration.
Lars Guggisberg (SVP/BE) argued for a “reprioritization of expenditure.” In 2023, the federal government spent twice as much on migration and development aid as on agriculture and food security. He suggested it was necessary to “focus more on Switzerland again.”
The proposal aimed to halve the funding for the international cooperation strategy starting in 2029, redirecting the saved CHF 2 billion to finance nearly half of the 13th AHV pension. However, the National Council voted down the proposal by 115 to 74, with 4 abstentions. Only the SVP and part of the FDP supported it.
The Federal Council intends to fund the 13th AHV pension through increased salary contributions or raising salary amounts and VAT. This plan also faces resistance in parliament, with a decision expected in the fall.
©Keystone/SDA
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