Foreign aid National Council has not yet decided on development aid funds
The National Council has begun debating the strategy for international cooperation. The Federal Council is requesting around CHF 11.3 billion for the years 2025 to 2028, while the National Council's Finance Committee wants CHF 1 billion less.
05.12.2024, 12:27
05.12.2024, 13:06
SDA
The Federal Council is requesting roughly the same amount of money for international cooperation (IC) over the next four years as at present, namely CHF 11.3 billion. According to its proposal, CHF 1.5 billion of this should go to Ukraine.
The large chamber approved the bill on Thursday by 126 votes to 64, against the wishes of the largest parliamentary group. The SVP would have wanted more consideration to be given to the army's higher funding requirements and the savings proposals of the group of experts appointed by the Federal Council.
Like the Council of States, its Foreign Affairs Committee (FAC-N) wants to approve the proposed CHF 11.3 billion. Its Finance Committee (FK-N) is proposing cuts of CHF 1 billion and a total of CHF 10.3 billion.
The National Council abandoned the detailed discussion due to a lack of time. It has not yet decided on proposals for increases and cuts - in favor of the army and due to the tight financial situation. The left in particular criticizes the fact that aid in Ukraine is at the expense of countries in the global South and is calling for corrections.
The SVP wants to make the promotion of democracy a central goal of development cooperation, as spokesperson Monika Rüegger (OW) said. The existence of democratic conditions is currently not a criterion in the selection of priority countries. She also called for development aid to be linked to the issue of migration.
The debate in the National Council will continue on Monday.
