Council of States approves 20 million Swiss francs for Crans-Montana settlements

Previous immediate aid and payout

The preparatory commission now proposed that the Confederation should contribute a maximum of 20 million Swiss francs to settlements. According to the commission, the money should flow into several partial settlements, not into a single large settlement. Commission President Matthias Michel (FDP) described the federal contribution as an incentive "to shorten the path to an agreement."

The commission also proposed that a settlement must be supported by a majority of the 156 victims. In the negotiations, Michel referred to the Luxor attack in 1997, where the approval threshold was 66.6 percent.

Debate on majority requirement and settlement thresholds

Justice Minister Beat Jans spoke out against fixed rules in the Council. "Settlement solutions cannot be determined on a drawing board," he said. A round table only works if it is as open-ended as possible, "because an agreement always requires consensus."

Criticism came from SVP Council of States member Pirmin Schwander from Schwyz. He described the round table and the federal contribution of 20 million Swiss francs as "a stab in the heart of all non-Crans-Montana victims who have suffered in equally large disasters in recent decades." The SVP had already rejected the solidarity contribution of 50,000 Swiss francs in March.

Criticism from the SVP

Finally, the motion by FDP Council of States member Isabelle Chassot from Fribourg was adopted. Her motion adopts the commission's rules but dispenses with the majority approval of the other victims. This means that a single settlement can be reached independently of the stance of the other injured parties.

Initial situation and further business of the summer session

The decision was made with 36 votes in favor, 7 against, and 2 abstentions. The matter now goes to the National Council, which will deal with it during the summer session.

The summer session of the Federal Councils runs from June 1 to June 19, 2026. In addition to the Crans-Montana matter, Parliament will deliberate, among other things, on funds for non-profit housing, a reconstruction agreement with Ukraine, and additional funds for EU research programs.