The budgetary savings plan of 3.7 billion francs from 2027, presented in September by the Federal Council, is rejected by 48% of the population, according to a Sotomo survey published Tuesday. A majority would like to see an increase in revenue rather than a cut in spending.
Only 45% of the population supports the Federal Council’s plan. The opinions reflect a rather classic left-right divide: supporters of the UDC, the PLR and the Center mainly support the package of measures, while opinions are largely unfavorable among those of the Greens, Vert’liberals and socialists, indicates the institute.
For good reason: the Federal Council mainly wants to straighten out its accounts through cuts in public spending. However, a narrow majority of 54% would rather like the deficit to be covered at least half by additional revenue. Only supporters of the PLR and the UDC mainly support the savings lever.
>> Read about it: The Federal Council wants to save 3.6 billion in 2027, in particular to the detriment of social
A tax on financial transactions popular even on the right
According to this survey, 53% of respondents want the introduction of a tax on financial transactions as a new source of revenue for the Confederation. Around 80% of PS and Green supporters are in favor. At the Center and among the Green Liberals, there are a little more than half.
Generally speaking, supporters of the PLR and the UDC are more reluctant to the idea of new taxes. But a third of them could still imagine a tax on financial transactions, according to Sotomo.
No touch on pension capital
The introduction of a federal tax on real estate gains – a measure proposed by the group of experts mandated by the Federal Council to increase revenue, but not retained by the latter – also meets with fairly broad approval: 32% of people respondents are for, and 19% against.
Conversely, only 8% of those questioned support the idea of increasing revenue by reducing tax privileges on the withdrawal of capital from the second and third pillars.
Political disagreement on the sectors to be affected
The poll reflects a big disagreement over which areas need to make sacrifices. The largest share (41%) is in favor of cutting development aid, followed by those who want to reduce aid to the media (36%), then those for savings in the army (35%).
On the other hand, from left to right, spending on AVS and AI is not contested. Nearly two thirds of those questioned were in favor of protecting these two areas. A majority (57%) is also opposed to cuts in training, research and innovation as well as in public transport (54%).
>> Read also: The Federal Council’s economic plan provokes strong reactions
ats/jop
Swiss