The Definitive Nature of a Temporary Tax

Swiss Federal Councilor Martin Pfister has seized upon the current geopolitical climate, invoking the adage "never waste a good crisis." He has successfully convinced a majority of the Federal Council that increased military spending is necessary due to a "degrading geopolitical situation."

To fund these additional needs, Pfister has proposed a "temporary increase in VAT of 0.8% for a duration of ten years." This move comes after his predecessor struggled for a long time to secure such a consensus for increased defense budgets.

However, Swiss political history suggests that such "temporary" tax increases often become permanent fixtures. Furthermore, the article posits a paradox: while the left wing of the Swiss political spectrum is not typically known for its strong support of the military, an increase in the defense budget could ultimately prove beneficial to them.

The article, published in Le Temps, frames this proposal within the context of Swiss political and economic trends, noting that the left's potential gain from increased military spending is an unexpected outcome given their usual positions.