Council of States rejects counter-proposal to the 200-franc initiative

The National Council’s Commission wanted to free all companies in Switzerland from media levy. This approach failed in the Council of States.

The result is clear: With 9 against 3 votes, the telecommunications commission of the Council of States rejects a counter-proposal to the SVP 200-franc initiative.

The National Council’s sister commission had previously approved a model for a counter -proposal for the second time. This time it was about freeing all companies from the radio and TV fee. The demand is also included in the popular initiative.

The Commission of the Council of States now refers to a decision by the Federal Council: he wants to reduce media levy for private households from currently CHF 335 to CHF 300 and exemption all companies from the obligation to pay, whose annual turnover is less than CHF 1.2 million.

The Federal Council decided this at the regulation level, which is why a counter -proposal cannot be spoken formally. However, the Commission of the Council of States believes that the approach of media minister Albert Rösti (SVP) is a counter-design to the 200-franc initiative: private households will pay a deeper media tax in the future, and most small and medium-sized companies will no longer pay a fee.

SRG warns of clearing yes to the SVP initiative

The Council of Councilor did not want to reduce the media levy for households. The reduction to CHF 300 is classified in the small chamber as an important element in the fight against the 200 Franconia initiative.

What’s next? If the National Council commission insists on its counter -draft, it must present it to the plenary of the Great Chamber. It is also conceivable that the Commission is working on a new model. However, it would already be the third. The chance of success would be small – because the sister commission of the Council of States does not participate. Here is the opinion that, according to the Federal Council’s decision, no further measures are required.

The Swiss voters will probably be the SVP’s popular initiative next year. The SRG warns that a yes to present would mean a deep incision for public broadcasting and that the company’s radio and television stations of the company would have to reduce its range of programs greatly.