jeu, Mai 16th 2024
In a bid to optimise expenditures, the Council of States committee suggests a significant reduction in supplementary credits for federal asylum centres.
The Swiss Federal Council’s request for a CHF 239 million supplementary credit to manage federal asylum centres has faced scrutiny, with the Council of States committee proposing a reduction to CHF 167.3 million. This recommendation comes amid discussions on optimising resource allocation within the asylum system, particularly focusing on security enhancements both inside and outside the centres.
As part of the regular budgetary review, the Federal Council sought an overall increase of CHF 604 million in supplementary credits, with a significant portion earmarked for migration-related expenses due to a spike in asylum applications and status S designations. However, the Finance Committee of the Council of States (FK-S) voiced a more conservative stance, advocating for a scaled-down budget by an 8-4 vote, with one abstention.
The FK-S outlined specific conditions for the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) concerning the use of these funds. These conditions include dedicating additional personnel to swiftly address pending cases, thoroughly vetting individual asylum claims, assessing eligibility for S status, and expediting procedural processes.
©Keystone/SDA
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