Defense Council of States wants to postpone decision on army finances

The Council of States does not want to decide on the counter-financing of higher army expenditure until the budget debate. It removed provisions on this issue from the corresponding federal decree when discussing the army bill.

On Monday, the small chamber followed the proposal of its Security Policy Committee (SIK-S) by 38 votes to 2, with five abstentions, in the debate on the differences in the army dispatch. The matter will now return to the National Council.

The National Council and Council of States had already agreed in principle to provide the army with CHF 29.8 billion over the next four years. This is CHF 4 billion more than requested by the Federal Council. The Councils also agree that the additional expenditure should be saved in other areas.

In the first round of consultations, both Councils also voted in favor of similar, but not identical, compensation concepts. These provided for savings measures, particularly in foreign aid.

The Council of States now intends to discuss the outstanding issues in detail during the annual budget debates. It removed the compensation concept from the bill.

Peter Hegglin (center/ZG) called for a more concrete approach. On the one hand, he wanted to adopt the National Council's resolutions on cost-cutting measures in the Defense Department. On the other hand, he wanted to instruct the Federal Council to submit a message to Parliament for an increase in VAT. The additional revenue was to be used for investments in armaments. However, his individual motion did not receive a majority.

SDA