Energy National Council wants state emergency aid for ailing steelworks

The National Council wants to provide state support for economically ailing steel and aluminum production companies. On Tuesday, it approved the corresponding bridging aid - by 108 votes to 84 with 3 abstentions. This was preceded by a heated debate.

The center-left campaigned for the state aid. The SP, for example, argued that the industry should be supported as Swiss steel is more environmentally friendly than imported steel. Harsh criticism came from the SVP, FDP and GLP. SVP spokesman Mike Egger (SG) described the state aid as a "new edition of Marxism".

In the end, the SP and Greens, the majority of the centrist parliamentary group and individual members of the SVP and FDP parliamentary groups voted in favor of state aid. The Council of States must now decide next.

If it also says yes to the urgent law, large steel and aluminum production companies can receive financial relief under certain conditions. Specifically, part of the fees for using the electricity grid will be waived for four years.

SDA