The Figure

Without the debt brake, the Confederation’s debt would probably be over 400 billion Swiss francs today, almost triple its current level. This would have serious consequences: every year, the Confederation would have to pay an additional 4 billion Swiss francs in interest on its debt. This amount would be enough to finance two new Gotthard road tunnels or 24 F-35 fighter jets (Sources: Salvi et al. (2020) and Salvi (2024)).