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Today in Switzerland: A Roundup of the Latest News on Wednesday
The Swiss House voted 99-strong to block a CHF10 million federal subsidy, citing concerns over costs and tourist-focused use of the Basel-Malmö night train.
- Yesterday, the Swiss House of Representatives rejected a federal subsidy for the Basel–Malmö night train, prevailing with 99 votes while the CHF10 million budget line remained contested.
- After a Senate vote last week, the Swiss Senate rejected the subsidy, with Yvan Pahud, Swiss People's Party, arguing the service mainly serves tourists and a CHF6.5 million proposal failed.
- Local officials in Basel pressed for funding, saying the Basel cantonal parliament urged federal support and debaters noted the subsidy would cut fares by CHF100–CHF200 per ticket, while some lawmakers said the CO2 Act allows but does not obligate subsidies.
- Passengers were advised to contact SBB for refunds after ticket purchases, affecting travellers on the route that stops in Hamburg, while SBB said federal funding is needed to run the service three times a week.
- The debate highlights wider transport-policy tensions as critics contrasted the subsidy fight with tourist air travel tax exemptions, while Finance Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said the parliamentary minority's position matched the government's original intent.
Insights by Ground AI
15 Articles
15 Articles
The Parliament rightly does not want to support the Basel–Malmö night train connection financially. Switzerland is to leave the operation of night trains to the existing private providers.
·Zürich, Switzerland
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Swiss politicians have withdrawn support for the long-awaited new night train between Basel and Copenhagen/Malmö, even though tickets were already on sale.
·Copenhagen, Denmark
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Svenska DagbladetReposted by 
Dagens industri
Dagens industriBoth chambers of the Swiss parliament have voted against a night train connection between Malmö and Basel, reports Swiss broadcaster SRF.
·Stockholm, Sweden
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In the budget debate, the National Council cancelled the funds for the night connection to Malmö.
·Zürich, Switzerland
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left4Leaning Right2Center0Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
R 33%
Factuality
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