National Exhibition: consultation on new federal act and waiver of funding in the 2030s
On 25.06.2025, the Federal Council opened the consultation on the new Federal Act on the Promotion of National Exhibitions (LaFG). At the same time, in view of the current financial situation and the corresponding negative outlook, the Federal Council has decided not to provide federal financial support for a national exhibition in the 2030s.
The new Federal Act on the Promotion of National Exhibitions sets out the legal framework for any federal funding of national exhibitions. As a rule, a project organiser is likely to be dependent on public funding for the planning and realisation of a national exhibition. On 14.06.2024, the Federal Council decided to create the necessary special law with the new Federal Act. This regulates the examination and selection of project applications as well as possible federal funding. The details would be set out in an ordinance as soon as and insofar as the Federal Council had decided in favour of co-financing. Based on this, a corresponding funding decision would have to be submitted to Parliament.
With the new draft legislation, the Federal Council is reaffirming the position it already expressed in 2022, according to which it welcomes a future national exhibition in principle. At the same time, it recognises the commitment of the current initiatives in this context. However, the law does not prejudge the Confederation's obligation to co-finance a future national exhibition.
The cantons, umbrella organisations and other interested organisations have until 16.10.2025 to comment on the new LaFG as part of the consultation process.
No co-financing in the 2030s
At the same time as opening the consultation process, the Federal Council decided not to provide federal financial support for a national exhibition in the 2030s. The federal finances are under severe pressure. With the relief package 27, the budget is therefore to be relieved and balanced by around CHF 3 billion annually from 2027. There is also the threat of numerous additional burdens, including as a result of ongoing political projects. Overall, we can therefore expect to see cuts in the fulfilment of tasks by the federal government in the coming years.
In recent years, various initiatives have been formed with the aim of organising a national exhibition. The financing of special tasks, such as the organisation of a national exhibition, would contradict the need to consolidate expenditure. The last national exhibition, Expo.02, cost the federal government around one billion Swiss francs. In addition, there are other major events on the horizon up to 2040 that will contribute to strengthening national cohesion.
Draft law (in German - PDF)
Draft law - Explanatory report (in German - PDF)
