National Assembly says yes to 58.3 million more for EU programmes
Keystone-SDA
Switzerland is set to release CHF58.3 million for European Union research programmes. The funding is part of the 2026 budget supplement of almost CHF90 million.
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The government had initially requested CHF67.3 million for research programmes. Parliament reduced this by CHF9 million, eliminating a reserve that had become obsolete.
The extra money is to be used to pay the compulsory contribution for participation in European programmes such as Horizon Europe and Euratom. Switzerland has been involved in these programmes again since 2025, after several years in the cold.
Lawmakers argued that it was out of the question for Switzerland to be excluded once again from the world’s largest research infrastructure.
Only the the Swiss People’s Party was against the funding. It accused the EU of playing games with Switzerland by increasing the budgets needed to participate in its programmes. This argument was rejected.
Supplement for rail cargo
The government has already announced that it is considering a cut of CHF40 million in the 2027 budget to compensate for this supplement in view of the tense situation of federal finances. A decision is expected this summer.
No less than CHF7.6 million extra is also earmarked for the European Space Agency. Almost CHF20 million more is to go to Swiss Federal Railways for cargo transport, and CHF3.16 million for car loading at the Furka tunnel.
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Switzerland successfully returns to Horizon Europe science programme
The sector has been experiencing financial difficulties for some time. It is undergoing major changes. Parliament adopted the supplement totalling almost CHF90 million.
At the same time, it approved the State Account 2025. The dossier now goes to the Senate.
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Adapted from French by AI/mga
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