Golden parachutes of 2.9 million francs

A SonntagsBlick survey shows that severance pay to senior federal officials increased last year. In 2024, nearly CHF 2.9 million was paid out in golden parachutes, half a million more than in 2023.

Last year, the Federal Department of Home Affairs (FDHA), headed by Socialist Federal Councillor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, was the most lavish, with payments of 963,952 francs. This was followed by the Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport (DDPS) of former Centre Minister Viola Amherd, which spent 672,539 francs on golden parachutes.

The Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (DETEC) led by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti (SVP) comes in third with 597,088 francs in severance pay. The head of the Federal Department of Finance (FDF), Karin Keller-Sutter (FDP), was the most economical last year, paying 58,225 francs to outgoing senior officials.

Severance packages paid to senior Swiss officials have been a source of outrage for years. Some of them are paid under questionable circumstances.

Last year, the SonntagsBlick revealed that Socialist Federal Councillor Beat Jans, head of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP), had granted Nicoletta della Valle, director of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), a golden parachute of 340,000 francs, even though the senior civil servant had not been forced to leave overnight, but had remained in her position for nine additional months. Parliament subsequently debated a "Lex della Valle." A bill is currently being drafted.