Fiscal Policy
For stable federal finances
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What it is about
Switzerland's public finances are among the healthiest in an international comparison and are an important locational advantage. The good state of the federal finances is thanks to a sustainable financial policy that benefits significantly from the debt brake. The aim of the debt brake is to stabilize federal debt. It ensures that surpluses are generated in good times, which can be used to guarantee basic state services in difficult times. In this way, the federal budget is balanced over an economic cycle. The debt brake has been successful - thanks to it, federal debt has been stabilized and even reduced. The effective and efficient use of tax revenue, ensuring budget stability and maintaining the debt brake in its current form are key financial policy concerns of economiesuisse. We are also committed to a vibrant fiscal federalism with a functioning fiscal equalization system and a clear division of tasks and financing responsibilities between the various levels of government.
An area of financial policy is also the financing of state social welfare systems. Here, economiesuisse advocates solutions that ensure the sustainability of social security systems over time. The focus is on stabilizing the AHV. In addition to additional financing, structural measures on the same scale are needed to reform the AHV sustainably.
Position of the economy
Securing public finances
- A sustainable financial policy strengthens the attractiveness of a location and ensures stable state services in the long term.
- The debt brake stabilizes federal debt and enables surpluses to be created in good times in order to remain capable of acting in difficult phases.
Strengthening fiscal federalism
- Clearly regulated financial equalization and a transparent division of tasks between the Confederation, cantons and communes promote an efficient and competitive state structure.
- Federalism creates incentives for innovative solutions and strengthens the personal responsibility of the various levels of government.
Making social security systems sustainable in the long term
- Stabilizing the AHV requires not only additional funding but also structural reforms on the same scale.