Electricity will become cheaper in 2026; Basel University to double fees for long-term students; and more news in our Wednesday roundup.
Electricity prices likely to fall in 2026
Good news for Swiss consumers has emerged on Tuesday from the Association of Swiss Electricity Companies (VSE).
On average, the tariffs will drop by between 3 and 4 percent next year, the group said.
The final electricity prices for 2026 will be published by the Federal Electricity Commission (Elcom) at the beginning of September.
But the outlook is positive.
“Prices are trending downwards,” said Elcom’s managing director Urs Meister.
And while next year’s tariffs will likely settle at a higher level than before the energy crisis in 2022, they are still expected to be far below that of the past few years.
Basel University doubles semester fees for long-term students
Those who fail to complete their bachelor’s degree program within five years may be required to pay double the current fees at Basel University.
This would bring the tuition fee from 850 francs currently to 1,700 francs.
The university will invite bachelor’s students who have been enrolled for more than five years to a personal consultation. The goal is to plan their graduation, taking their individual circumstances into account.
Fees will be doubled only if the degree is still not completed after the agreed-upon date.
The measure will be implemented starting in the spring semester of 2026 with a two-year transition period. The first doubling of tuition would therefore not occur until the spring semester of 2028 at the earliest.
However, in hardship cases, the increase can be waived in whole or in part.
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An optimistic outlook for Switzerland’s economy
In its annual country review published on Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) ranks Switzerland among the most competitive, resilient and innovative economies in the world, with highly credible institutions and a skilled labour force.
It is forecasting the GDP growth of 1.2 percent for 2026, as well as a very low inflation rate.
The only cloud on the horizon, according to the IMF, is the continued uncertainty around US tariffs to be imposed on Switzerland.
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Swiss parliament probes purchase of US F-35 jets
A parliamentary committee on Tuesday opened an investigation into the purchase of 36 Lockheed Martin F-35A fighter jets, for which the United States is now demanding up to $1.3 billion extra.
Bern and Washington are quibbling over the final price of the new planes bought to replace the ageing Swiss fleet.
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency wants Switzerland to assume additional costs, but Bern says it is sticking to the agreed price of just over 6 billion Swiss francs ($7.65 billion at current exchange rates).
The F-35A combat aircraft, used by the US Air Force and several European countries, was chosen in June 2021 over the Airbus Eurofighter, the F/A-18 Super Hornet by Boeing, and the Rafale from French firm Dassault.
The contract was signed in September 2022, when si6 billion Swiss francs was the equivalent of $6.2 billion.
The first deliveries are due in 2027. (AFP)
