Swiss Parliament approves CHF987.9 Million Cultural Budget After resolving Looted Art Dispute

Thursday, March 20, 2025
Swiss Parliament approves CHF987.9 Million Cultural Budget After resolving Looted Art Dispute

The Swiss parliament has approved a CHF987.9 million cultural budget for 2025-2028, following the resolution of a prolonged disagreement over the handling of looted art.

With this approval, funding is unlocked for various cultural initiatives, including CHF210 million allocated to cinema, CHF139 million to the Swiss National Museum, and CHF159 million earmarked for cultural promotion, including the creation of a national museum on women's roles in Swiss history.

A key aspect of this decision is the creation of an independent commission designed to address claims concerning cultural property seized due to Nazi persecution. This commission allows heirs to directly approach it in cases related to Nazi-looted artworks in public museums and collections; in other instances, the agreement of all involved parties is required. The establishment of this commission aligns Switzerland with countries like Germany, Austria, France, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom, which have created similar bodies to assess and recommend actions on Nazi-looted art claims.

The approval by the Swiss House of Representatives, with a vote of 116 to 53, concludes a longstanding debate between parliamentary chambers on this issue, enabling the implementation of the Culture 2025-2028 strategy. This decision reflects Switzerland's commitment to addressing historical injustices and promoting transparency in the provenance of artworks within its public institutions.