Freeways National roads bill was overloaded for the Federal Council

According to the Federal Council, there are three reasons for the voters' "no" to the expansion of the motorway network. For example, the overall package of five projects in German-speaking Switzerland and one in French-speaking Switzerland was too extensive.

This was stated by Transport Minister Albert Rösti (SVP) on Sunday evening in front of the Federal Parliament media. Another reason for the Federal Council's rejection was that it had not been possible to demonstrate the benefits of the overall package in regions not affected by the projects, Rösti continued.

This is because the Federal Council found that in regions or municipalities affected by an expansion project, the proportion of yes votes was higher than in other regions. Or the result was a Yes vote.

According to Rösti, the Federal Council identified the discussions surrounding the federal government's financial budget as the third reason for the 'no' vote on the federal decree on the 2023 expansion phase of the motorways. This had deterred some voters who were critical of growth from voting yes to the expansion of the motorway network.

According to Rösti, the federal government will now quickly stop the project planning work on the six expansion projects. However, Rösti also said that the Federal Council has a constitutional mandate to ensure that there is an adequate supply of motorways in all areas of the country. Before any further action could be taken in this regard, an in-depth analysis and an exchange of views with all stakeholders was now required.

Against lowering the mineral oil tax

Rösti rejected his party's call to reduce the mineral oil tax following the "no" to the expansion of the highway network. National road expansion projects would be realized in the coming years. "These will cost the same as the current revenue from fuel tax." The projects rejected in the referendum would not have been implemented until 2033.

SDA