2023-06-06 10:45:18
The plan to temporarily house asylum seekers in containers on army land is in jeopardy. The Council of States once more rejected Tuesday by 23 votes once morest 19 and 2 abstentions the credit requested by the Federal Council.
The file returns to the National Council which will decide on Thursday. Last week, the senators had already rejected by two to one the credit of 132.9 million requested by the Federal Council as part of the supplement to the 2023 budget. .
On Tuesday, the Chamber of Cantons returned with a compromise. The amount was to be halved, i.e. 66.45 million francs and was to be conditional on a reassessment of reception capacities by the fall of 2023. But nothing happened. The UDC, part of the Center and the PLR voted once morest.
Read also: The Federal Council asks for 130 million more for the reception of asylum seekers
Use PC Shelters
Benedikt Würth (Centre/SG) insisted that the potential of civil protection shelters must first be used. These allow for extended stays. Only when these capacities are no longer sufficient will the Confederation have to take emergency action.
Existing structures must be fully exploited without creating new ones, added Beat Rieder (Center / VS). The increase in reception capacities is a “pull-factor”, conducive to attracting asylum seekers to Switzerland, added Damian Müller (PLR / LU).
Sous conditions
But several elected officials stressed the need to build a bridge with the National, which had accepted the credit of 132.9 million. “We want to avoid negative impacts on the cantons, municipalities and people concerned,” said Johanna Gapany (PLR / FR) for the commission. With this compromise, we are asking for a reassessment of reception capacities by the fall of 2023. “Beyond this period, there must be another solution”, added the Fribourgeoise. We must ensure a balance between the cantons.
The distribution must not fall on the cantons and ultimately on the municipalities which must then react urgently, pleaded Roberto Zanetti (PS / SO). “The facts are there,” added Olivier Français (PLR / VD). A solution is needed to the problem of the influx of asylum seekers and the arrival of refugees from Ukraine. We can’t wait for fall without doing anything.
Read also: Vaud opposes the influx of applicants in the municipality of Bière
The Federal Council supported the compromise
Finance Minister Karine Keller-Sutter also recalled that this first phase of the reception of asylum seekers is the responsibility of the Confederation. If we want to be ready, we have to act. In agreement with the minister in charge of asylum, Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, the Federal Council agreed with the proposed compromise.
On Monday, the Special Asylum Staff warned parliament of the consequences of a refusal. Without special credit for temporary containers, Switzerland will face significant difficulties in terms of accommodation for asylum seekers. Apparently, that wasn’t enough to convince.
By once once more rejecting accommodation in containers, the Council of States does not take into account a broad criticism from the cantons. These recalled in the Sunday press that they needed the PC shelters as a reserve for themselves, once the applicants are distributed by the Confederation in the cantons.
Read also: Asylum: Vaud municipalities call for help
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