Students and staff at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) and the Geneva School of Business Administration (HES-SO) protested Thursday evening against planned budget cuts, chanting slogans like “Anti, anti, anti-austerity.”
A representative for doctoral students and assistants asserted that a society “which mistreats” research is one “which sabotages itself.” Concerns center on a potential shift in research investment toward the private sector, which could negatively impact university projects and lead to fewer available funds and contracts.
The protests specifically target a federal plan to save 460 million francs annually starting in 2027 through cuts to education and research. One banner at the demonstration read, “Today’s savings will be tomorrow’s losses.”
Demonstrators also voiced opposition to a 40% tuition increase recently approved by HES for Swiss students, and a doubling of fees for international students. They are also pressuring the Geneva Council of State, which is expected to unveil a modern budget proposal by the complete of March. A group of experts has already been tasked with identifying 500 million francs in savings.
Officials Targeted in Protest
The Public Services Union (SSP) and the Interprofessional Union of Workers (SIT) condemned the austerity measures, pointing to federal and cantonal finances that have reportedly shown a surplus. They warn that the cuts will result in job losses, precarious contracts, increased workloads, and the non-renewal of existing agreements, potentially threatening around 2,000 positions.
Protesters held the Liberal Party (PLR), along with The Centre and the Swiss People’s Party (UDC), responsible for the current and upcoming cuts. “Do you realize where we’re going?” one union representative asked. “To the PLR,” some protesters responded, before booing the party as they marched past its offices.
Specifically, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter, and Geneva State Councillors Nathalie Fontanet and Anne Hiltpold were targeted with critical slogans. Fontanet was accused of dishonesty, even as all three were singled out for their roles in the austerity measures.
Similar demonstrations were held earlier this week in Lausanne, with approximately 70 participants, and in Neuchâtel, where a comparable number of people gathered to protest the anticipated cuts.
