“Petrol prices are affordable in wealthy Switzerland,” he toldExternal link the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper on Wednesday.
The government set up a working group in April to study whether measures were needed to ease the burden of households.
But Maurer, from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, said the state had “no money” to support consumers hit by higher prices.
“Such measures are not necessary with inflation at 2.5%,” he said.
The finance minister told the paper that he feared a looming economic slowdown.
“I think a recession is approaching. Its severity will depend on how long the war in Ukraine lasts and on energy prices,” he said.
Sanction pressure
Turning to the war in Ukraine, Maurer said Swiss banks should resist pressure to step up enforcement of sanctions on Russians being punished in the West for the invasion.
“If anything we should say slow down a bit and don’t implement the sanctions with a ‘Swiss finish’. Our banks probably sanction more harshly than anyone else,” he told the paper.
Maurer said Switzerland should use gas-fired power plants and extend the life of nuclear power plants to help meet its energy needs, adding that Switzerland would help to finance gas terminals that neighbour Germany was building.
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Inflation and interest rates: how Switzerland is different
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It will be a while before inflation drops again, according to Nannette Hechler-Fayd’herbe, head of investments at Credit Suisse.
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The only alternative to the UN Palestinian agency’s work in Gaza is to allow Israel to run services there, Philippe Lazzarini, UNRWA Commissioner-General, told reporters in Geneva on Monday.
Study reveals food culture differences between Switzerland and neighbours
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Three-quarters of Swiss people consider eating to be a pleasurable, social activity, a new survey reveals. Healthy eating, however, plays a much less important role, it found.
Precious archaeological vases and coins returned to Italian museum
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The Italian authorities have recovered over 2,500 precious ancient coins, vases and small sculptures that had been illegally dug up and sold in Switzerland, Eurojust announced on Monday.
PrimeEnergy Cleantech declared bankrupt by Swiss authorities
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PrimeEnergy Cleantech has been officially declared bankrupt, the Swiss Official Gazette of Commerce (SOGC) reported on Monday.
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The consumption of antibiotics has risen in Switzerland since the Covid-19 pandemic. However, compared to other European countries the Alpine country has one of the lowest levels of antibiotic usage.
Swiss financial watchdog foresees greater uncertainty due to geopolitics
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The Swiss financial sector will face greater uncertainty due to the numerous geopolitical conflicts around the world, warns the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).
Swiss museums to mark centenary of death of painter Félix Vallotton
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Swiss museums will celebrate the centenary of the death of the artist Félix Vallotton (1865-1925) next year. A major retrospective is planned in Lausanne, his birthplace, in autumn.
Russian mission installs more ‘spy’ antennas in Geneva, Swiss TV report claims
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Russian spies are strengthening their presence in Geneva, according to a report by Swiss public television, RTS. Russian officials have placed new satellite dishes on their diplomatic buildings without authorisation.
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Switzerland should join NATO, as in the future it cannot rely on its long-standing tradition of neutrality for its defence, John Bolton, Donald Trump's former national security adviser, declared in an interview on Sunday.
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A demonstration was held in Geneva on Sunday calling for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine. Around 50 Russians took part in the gathering outside the UN building.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
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Geldcast update: do we need a recession to fight inflation?
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With inflation rising in many countries around the world, including Switzerland, the question arises whether central banks need to hit the monetary brake.
Inflation and interest rates: how Switzerland is different
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It will be a while before inflation drops again, according to Nannette Hechler-Fayd’herbe, head of investments at Credit Suisse.
Swiss economy holds up despite Ukraine uncertainty
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Economists have confirmed their previous growth forecast for Switzerland of just under 3% for 2022, but this is only in the most favourable scenario.
National bank president to keep ‘very close eye’ on inflation
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Thomas Jordan says he takes the significant rise in inflation seriously and that one must “keep a very close eye on how it continues”.
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If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.