What you need to know about the Swiss spring parliamentary session

During its spring session, the Swiss parliament will be grappling with several matters of concern to Swiss nationals abroad. These include child benefits for retirees and the Swiss Abroad Act – but, above all, the question of federal funding. The much-talked-about cost-saving package has to be finalised during the spring session, which runs from March 2 to 20. With its “Relief Package 27”, the Federal Council, Switzerland’s executive body of government, aims to save around CHF3 billion ($3.9 billion) per year by 2029. Time is of the essence, as the cost-cutting measures are supposed to come into force as early as 2027. The different points need to be wrapped up now in order to leave enough time for anyone so wishing to organise a referendum. The Green Party has already announced plans to do so. The Senate, meanwhile, took a first stand on the measures in December. It wants to reduce the cuts by about a third compared to the Federal Council’s proposal. The ball is now in the court ...