Neuchâtel assumes a deficit budget after three years of balance

The Neuchâtel budget plunges back into the red following three years of equilibrium. Unveiled this Wednesday by the Council of State, it presents a deficit of 9.5 million francs and net investments of 117.8 million, insufficiently self-financed. Its validation by the Grand Council will therefore require a derogation from the debt brake, a first since 2019. “In the current context, strict compliance with this mechanism would impose cuts that are too severe and would prove to be counterproductive for the canton” , argues the Minister of Finance and Health Laurent Kurth (PS). Without derogation, the income statement should be improved by 20 million francs, and investments reduced by 28.5 million.