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.
Successful Lausanne Marathon despite weather conditions
Rain and wind did little to dampen the 33rd Lausanne Marathon, which drew more than 15,500 registered runners yesterday
More weekend protests in France
More than 400,000 people took to the streets across France on Saturday to protest against the rising cost of living and cuts to public services
Majority of pension funds go overseas
Swiss pension funds are investing more than ever in infrastructure, but most of the money is flowing abroad
Huge restructure for Migros
Migros is preparing the biggest restructuring in its history, with up to 3,000 administrative jobs reported to be on the line
Hydropower expansion less than expected
A confidential federal report has revealed that Switzerland's planned hydropower expansion will deliver far less electricity than voters were promised
Increase in burglaries
Burglaries are surging across French-speaking Switzerland, with Geneva the hardest hit canton in the country
