Author: Federal Assembly of the Swiss Confederation
Source: [Official Communication of the FK-S](not available)
Publication Date: October 28, 2025
Summary Reading Time: 3 minutes

Executive Summary

The Finance Committee of the Council of States has decided with 9 to 4 votes to proceed with the controversial Relief Package 27 to comply with debt brake requirements. However, a controversial amendment to the Subsidies Act was referred back to the Federal Council for revision. Strategic Relevance: Far-reaching impacts on bound federal expenditures and potential new tax sources through cantonal bank taxation.

Core Issue & Context

Relief Package 27 aims to rehabilitate the federal budget and ensure compliance with the debt brake in the coming years. Without these measures, drastic cuts threaten unbound expenditures in the areas of agriculture, development cooperation, education and culture.

Key Facts & Figures

• Vote Result: 9 to 4 votes for proceeding with EP27 • Timeline: Final vote of the committee on November 27/28, 2025 • Measure No. 57: Amendment to the Subsidies Act was referred back for revision • Affected Areas: Legally bound expenditures must contribute to budget relief • Parallel Review: Federal tax obligation for cantonal banks as additional revenue source

Stakeholders & Those Affected

Directly Affected:

Federal administration and all departments (FDF, EAER, FDHA, FDFA, DDPS, FDJP)
Cantons and their finance directors
Cantonal banks with possible new tax obligation
Recipients of federal subsidies

Opportunities & Risks

Opportunities:

Sustainable budget consolidation without drastic cuts to unbound expenditures
New tax revenues through cantonal bank taxation possible

Risks:

Competitive distortions between cantonal banks and private institutions
Constitutional conflicts regarding organizational freedom of cantons
Impact on national fiscal equalization unclear

Action Relevance

Time-Critical Aspects:

November 2025: Final decision of FK-S on EP27
Cantonal banks issue will be delegated to Economic Committee

Implications for Financial Sector:

Banks should monitor possible tax reforms for cantonal banks
Potential impact on competitive landscape in banking sector

References

Primary Source:

[Communication from the Finance Committee of the Council of States](Original link not available)

Supplementary Sources:

[⚠️ To be verified] Additional sources on EP27 details required
[⚠️ To be verified] Current developments on cantonal bank taxation

Verification Status: ⚠️ Facts based exclusively on official press release - supplementary research recommended