The Confederation closed its accounts last year with a deficit of 12.2 billion francs, once morest 15.8 billion in 2020. The National Council largely approved the 2021 state account on Monday.
KEYSTONE
The budget forecast a deficit of 6.1 billion. The Swiss economy has recovered from the shock linked to the coronavirus, growth is 3.6% compared to 2020, rejoiced Ueli Maurer.
Covid-19 expenditure amounted to a total of 14.1 billion francs. Without these, expenditure increased by 1.4 billion compared to the previous year.
The debt brake authorized a deficit of 1.7 billion. The actual deficit amounted to 1.4 billion. The unused margin of 0.3 billion is credited to the amortization account of the debt brake, explained Michel Matter (PVL / GE) for the commission. The left opposed it, in vain, in order to give a political signal as to the redistribution of the profits of the Swiss National Bank.
Gross debt increased by 5 billion to 108.6 billion. Net debt, following deduction of financial assets, increased by 6 billion to reach 76.1 billion.
Uncertainty linked to the war in Ukraine
Concerning the future, the Minister of Finance mentioned the uncertainty linked to the war in Ukraine, the financial consequences of which are impossible to assess today. He also expects that the debt brake will not be respected in 2023 either, recalling in particular the additional expenditure approved by Parliament in favor of the army.
The National also largely approved for the year 2021 the account of the rail infrastructure fund. It also accepted without opposition the account of the fund for national roads and urban traffic.
The Council of States will decide on Wednesday.
kigo, ats
