The Finance Committee of the Council of States in turn approves the funds requested by the Federal Council to deal with the coronavirus crisis. They total 55 billion francs. Nurseries should also be helped.
Guaranteed loans to SMEs (40 billion), loss of earnings allowances (5.3 billion) and unemployment benefits for reduced working hours (6 billion) are the most important items. All the credits were approved unanimously or by a large majority, the parliamentary services said on Tuesday.
The commission considers that the Federal Council and the federal administration have acted quickly and in a targeted manner to limit the damage caused by the coronavirus. No credit was refused.
The states commission adds assistance in only one additional area, extra-familial childcare. By 8 votes to 3, she proposed to adopt a loan of 100 million francs, just as her counterpart at the National recommended on Saturday.
More generous on guaranteed loans
For the rest, the finance committee is proposing some corrective measures, notably for transitional loans to SMEs. These loans guaranteed by the Confederation are undisputed. However, like that of the National, the commission of the Council of States wants the duration of joint and several guarantees to be increased from five to eight years maximum. The text was approved by 6 votes to 2 and 5 abstentions.
It also wishes to maintain the interest rate of 0.0% beyond the first year. The vote is also very close (7 against 5 and 1 abstention). In a third motion, decided by 8 votes to 2, the committee requests that joint and several guarantees not be considered as third-party capital for the entire duration of the guarantees.
Loss of earnings
The 5.3 billion requested for compensation for loss of earnings were approved unanimously. The discussion focused in particular on the consequences of the threshold effect. The $ 6 billion credit for unemployment insurance was also accepted unanimously. This support makes it possible to avoid an increase in employee contributions and a revision of unemployment insurance.
By 6 votes to 3 and 4 abstentions, the committee supported a credit of 27 billion francs for Switzerland Tourism. The envelope had been requested by the Committee on the Economy of the Council of States.
Sanitary equipment
For the acquisition of medical equipment and medicines by the army pharmacy, the Federal Council requests 2.45 billion francs. These include masks, gloves, disinfectant, sample collection kits, test kits and breathing apparatus.
The 130 million for the purchase of drugs difficult to obtain and the 10 million for research for a vaccine passed the ramp without problem.
Culture and sport supported
The 280 million francs intended for the field of culture were accepted, but gave rise to discussions. The emergency aid of 25 million intended for cultural actors was notably disputed. However, by 11 votes to 2, the committee agreed to this envelope.
The UDC would have liked to increase to 100 million francs instead of 145 million the amounts for compensation for the shortfall for cultural enterprises. The proposal was rejected.
Loans and financial aid for the sport sector have not been disputed. The Finance Delegation has already given its authorization.
The 3.7 million francs intended for the holding of the extraordinary session at Bernexpo also passed the ramp. Just like the 23.4 million intended for the convocation of persons bound to the civil protection. All other additional credits related to the crisis were also accepted without objection.
The commission has further considered the long-term consequences of the Covid-19 crisis. It expects significant tax revenue cuts. The question of the debt brake will have to be asked again. The committee will take a serious look at this topic in the coming months.
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