Fighting the pandemic has been expensive. The latest figures show the country is CHF 12.2bn in the red. That’s twice as much as budgeted.
CHF 14bn was spent on Covid measures, including compensation for reduced working hours, hardship cases and loss of earnings allowances.
But last year was still just under a billion francs less expensive than 2020.
The government says there should be no further extraordinary costs and the budget should return to normal next year – with CHF 600,000 surplus.
Bern preparing for fuel shortages
Switzerland is bracing for possible fuel shortages after the closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted global oil supplies.
Switzerland becoming the new Dubai?
Switzerland is seeing increased interest from expatriates leaving Dubai amid tensions linked to the conflict with Iran, with the canton of Zug emerging as a key destination.
Court slams deportation decision - man dead
A deportation case is sparking controversy after the death of a 29 year old Ukrainian man who was returned from Zurich to a war zone.
Housing scam rampant
Police are warning of increasingly sophisticated rental scams targeting people searching for housing online.
Asylum applications could be carried out abroad - but will be difficult
A new government report says asylum applications carried out abroad would be legally possible, but difficult to implement.
Move to allow cancer survivors to refresh health insurance
Cancer survivors could soon gain stronger protection when applying for private insurance.
