Lower taxes in the canton of Vaud? Yes, but by how much? This is currently the big debate within the Vaudois Grand Council. While an initiative from economic circles, which will undoubtedly be submitted to the people in 2025, calls for a 12% reduction, the Council of State is preparing a counter-project. Taking into account the reduction already granted and those to come, the Government’s objective is to reach 5% over the entire legislature (3.5% in 2024 + 0.5% in 2025, 2026 and 2027 ). Or, at least, it was.
Just last week, as part of the second debate on taxation, relating in particular to a tax reduction of 0.5% in 2025, the Council of State declared itself opposed to any amendment to its text. But this Tuesday, against all expectations, he did the opposite, when the right proposed reaching a cumulative reduction of 7%. Voted by elected officials, the modification was then accepted by a narrow majority: 68 votes for, 59 votes against and 14 abstentions (including many socialists).
Questioned by “24 Heures”, various deputies admitted half-heartedly that it was the duo Brouillard and Malice who worked behind the scenes to bring about this turnaround. And, finally, Mathilde Marendaz confirmed: “We all felt the shadow of Pierre-Yves Maillard and Pascal Broulis influence or, let’s put it bluntly, short-circuit our debates on the budget by dealing these 7% tax with a few million for CCT San,” she said, in reference to the increase in salaries in the health sector.
If this influence, even interference, of the two advisors to the States within the Grand Council is not viewed favorably by all elected officials, the President of the Executive Christelle Luisier Brodard sees nothing wrong with it: “ “That the Council of State is criticized for dialoguing with all the people who want to discuss these questions, whether Broulis, Maillard, Tartempion or Bolomey, is a denial of democracy.” The fact remains that this 2% difference represents some 70 million less for the Canton’s coffers.
