Politics · Switzerland · 13 hrs ago
Swiss People's Party opposes VAT rise to fund 13th AHV pension
Switzerland's Swiss People's Party opposes a VAT increase to help pay for the 13th state pension, known as the AHV.
Party delegates made the decision by 290 votes to three at a meeting in Bulle, in the canton of Fribourg.
Voters approved the principle of a 13th pension, but that did not settle how to pay for it.
The pension is set to be funded 80% by the AHV fund, but additional funding is still needed.
The party says the government should cover the cost through savings instead of higher taxes.
A Swiss trade union leader said he would have preferred higher taxes on high incomes, but agreed that extra funding must be found.
Voters will decide on the VAT increase on 29 November.
The Swiss People's Party recommends rejecting a VAT increase to finance the 13th state pension.
Its delegates adopted the recommendation by 290 votes to 3 at a party meeting in Bulle.
The party said it would have preferred funding the pension through government savings.
A referendum on the financing proposal is scheduled for 29 November.
The 13th pension is to be financed 80% from the state pension fund, according to Pierre-Yves Maillard.
- Who
- The Swiss People's Party (SVP) and its delegates.
- What
- The SVP recommends voting against a VAT increase to fund the 13th state pension.
- When
- The recommendation was reported on 17 October 2026; the vote is scheduled for 29 November.
- Where
- At an SVP party meeting in Bulle, Switzerland.
- Why
- The SVP says the government should use public money more effectively and would prefer funding the pension through savings.
Swiss People's Party (SVP)
Pierre-Yves Maillard
Funding approach
Swiss People's Party (SVP)
The SVP opposes a VAT increase and says the pension should instead be funded through government savings, including cuts to international cooperation and asylum spending.
Pierre-Yves Maillard
Maillard said he would have preferred a stronger tax on high incomes, but said additional funding must ultimately be found.
SVP delegates in Bulle adopted a recommendation to reject the VAT increase by 290 votes to 3.
Voters are scheduled to decide on the financing of the 13th state pension through a VAT increase.
- Delegate vote
- 290 against, 3 in favour
- Meeting location
- Bulle, canton of Fribourg
- Referendum date
- 29 November
- Pension fund share
- 80% of the 13th pension
- SVP preferred alternative
- Government savings, including spending on international cooperation and asylum affairs
3 sources
What people are saying
The people did not in any way agree to another tax increase when they approved the principle of a 13th pension.
Ultimately, additional funding must be found, even though the 13th pension is financed 80 percent from the AHV fund.