The Swiss National Council’s finance commission has significantly scaled back the government’s proposed 2027 budget relief program, reducing it by approximately one-third, according to a statement released Friday. The decision follows a similar move by the Senate to moderate the budget plan initially presented by Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter.
Jacques Nicolet, president of the National Council’s finance commission and a member of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC), announced that the commission largely aligned with the Senate’s revisions. This indicates a substantial departure from Keller-Sutter’s original proposals.
Karin Keller-Sutter, who assumed the role of President of the Swiss Confederation in January 2025, has been a member of the Federal Council since 2019. Prior to her appointment as Finance Minister in 2023, she served as the head of the Department of Justice and Police. She was also President of the Council of States from November 2017 to November 2018.
The cuts come after Keller-Sutter navigated a period of financial instability, notably the acquisition of Credit Suisse by UBS in early 2023. She was recognized by the Financial Times in 2023 as one of the most influential women worldwide, largely due to her handling of this crisis.
The process of electing members to the Federal Council, including Keller-Sutter, occurs every four years in December, following the renewal of the National Council. Candidates are elected by the Federal Assembly, requiring an absolute majority to secure a position.
The extent of the remaining budget relief program following the National Council’s revisions remains to be seen, with further deliberations expected as the budget progresses through the legislative process.
