Fribourg cantonal parliament adopts budget for 2024
Published: Wednesday, Nov 22nd 2023, 13:01
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On Wednesday, the Fribourg Grand Council approved the 2024 budget with a surplus of CHF 924,450. A rejection motion by the SVP had failed to pass the previous day.
The budget passed with 64 votes in favor, 17 against and 12 abstentions. The discussions that began on Tuesday were characterized by a climate of resignation. The conservatives had failed to push through their rejection of the budget, which included a mandate to reduce taxes for natural persons.
But the left-wing Green Party was also disappointed and criticized the budget for taking too little account of the difficult situation of the population with rising rents, energy prices and health insurance premiums.
"The budget cannot satisfy everyone, especially in terms of job creation," said the cantonal finance minister Jean-Pierre Siggen with regard to the youth welfare office's demands for six additional posts. The SP motion was rejected by 44 votes to 40 with 9 abstentions.
More tax revenue expected
The budget is characterized by the need to contain cost growth, emphasized Philippe Demierre, Head of the Health and Social Affairs Directorate. The government is also sticking to an "ambitious investment program".
The likely absence of a profit distribution from the Swiss National Bank (SNB) was compensated for without a budget entry.
In addition, expenses and income rose by 4.6% to CHF 4.24 billion. The main changes are therefore due to a sharp rise in revenue expectations.
Profit tax on legal entities and income tax on individuals are expected to increase by 23.2 percent (+35 million francs) and 5.9 percent (+49 million francs) respectively.
The investment volume amounted to CHF 296.3 million, which corresponds to growth of 4.4 percent.
The 2022 accounts showed a surplus of 494,000 francs. At the end of 2022, the net assets of the State of Fribourg amounted to CHF 857.2 million, but these assets are fully earmarked for specific purposes.
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