The move away from oil and gas is much more complex than expected, and savings are expected for ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne. Here is the main information from the Sunday press.
SonntagsZeitung: Researchers from the ETH Lausanne and the Federal Laboratory for Materials Testing and Research (Empa) believe that the abandonment of oil and gas is much more complex than the authorities imagine. To have enough electricity for millions of electric cars and hundreds of thousands of heat pumps in 2050, after the old nuclear power plants are shut down, eight new large power plants in addition to the existing hydroelectric power plants would be needed. Each should produce as much electricity as the Gösgen nuclear power plant, says the SonntagsZeitung. According to the researchers, it is no surprise that the construction of a new nuclear power plant would be the most beneficial in the end.
Basel-City and Geneva benefit the most from premium reductions
SonntagsZeitung: Among the additional federal subsidies distributed with the initiative on premium relief in the event of acceptance, Basel-City and Geneva will receive the most money per capita. Basel-City can count on an increase of around 1,000 francs per person. The losers are Appenzell Innerrhoden, Zug and Nidwalden, reports the SonntagsZeitung. Appenzell Innerrhoden has low health costs because residents initially seek medical attention due to a lack of hospitals. In Basel, on the other hand, expenses are very high. The density of doctors is also the highest in Switzerland and the healthcare offering is widely used.
Tensions between Keller-Sutter and Amherd
Sunday Morning: Six years after their election to the Federal Council, Karin Keller-Sutter (PLR) and Viola Amherd (Le Center) see their political projects moving away. “Between the head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), who inspects every corner of the budget to save money, and the head of the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports (DDPS), who wants to massively increase the means of the army, difficult to avoid tensions”, writes the Morning Sunday. The latest example is the 15 billion deal concocted by the center left to create “a fund for the security of Switzerland and peace in Europe”. These budgets would be treated as extraordinary. The services of Karin Keller-Sutter consider that the required conditions are not met.
Fewer contributions for ETH and EPFL
SonntagsZeitung: ETH Zurich and EPFL Lausanne must make savings. Indeed, the Federal Council has decided to reduce contributions to the two institutions even though the number of students has been increasing for years. Because this growth is mainly due to the influx of foreign students, i.e. people who settle in Switzerland to study there, indicates the SonntagsZeitung. In 20 years, the number of Swiss students has increased by 46%, compared to 293% for foreign students. This development is all the more marked as registration fees in the two universities are lower than in most other universities of this level in the world.
Czechoslovak Group highest bidder for Ammotec
Sonntagsblick: Shortly after the start of the war in Ukraine, the Confederation sold the ammunition manufacturer Ammotec to the Italian group Beretta. According to research from SonntagsBlick, the Czechoslovak Group made the best offer for Ammotec, but was unsuccessful. The sale price, kept secret, represents several hundred million. It was not adjusted after the Russian aggression against Ukraine, although the prices of arms goods have been through the roof since the start of the war. The management of the Federal Finance Administration (AFF) also removed the question of a right of repurchase “if the security situation in Switzerland required it or if its interests were threatened by a resale of Ammotec.”
The Swiss economy boosted by AI
NZZ am Sonntag: The use of artificial intelligence could more than double the growth of the Swiss economy by 2030, according to a study by the consulting firm Accenture brought to the attention of the NZZ am Sonntag. Compared to the base case scenario of 1.6% GDP growth, growth would increase to 3.9% if productivity benefits are fully exploited. This corresponds to an additional value creation of 131 billion francs. According to the authors, the greatest potential is found in the financial, IT and pharmaceutical sectors.
Micheline Calmy-Rey wins against a real estate group
Sunday Morning: A victory for Micheline Calmy-Rey, reports the Morning Sunday. With other neighbors from Plans-Mayens (VS), where she co-owns a chalet, the former President of the Confederation won her case against the expansion of the real estate complex, belonging to the luxury group Ultima. The Ultima chalet has welcomed several stars, such as Lionel Messi, shortly after his victory at the 2022 Football World Cup. The extension file is not finished, however. According to company representatives, modified plans should be submitted to the investigation. (ATS)
