The Ordinary General Assembly of Cc-Ti, with its 350 participants, brought together the canton's economic and political leaders at the Espocentro in Bellinzona, joined by Federal Councillor Albert Rösti.
The key issue is "uncertainty," a recurring word in the speeches of this assembly, which sums up a geopolitical context marked by conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine, an American trade policy that penalizes Ticino exports, and tensions in global markets that slow down investments and strategic decisions.
The financial picture: numbers that do not allow for delays
With a projected deficit of 97 million in 2026, and a projected structural deficit of 700 million caused by recent cantonal and federal elections, Ticino finds itself in a critical situation.
At the same time, the Confederation's economic growth is also slowing, falling from the 1,3% forecast for 2025 to 0,9% expected in 2026, according to the latest SECO forecasts.
Healthcare spending remains the main challenge: health insurance premiums in the canton have increased by 38% over the past four years, well above the national average, while social spending has exceeded one billion francs per year.
So La Mal, the president of the Ticino Chamber of Commerce, Andrea Gehri, is now obsolete and ready for an overhaul.
The seven points of the roadmap for a stronger Ticino
Gehri issued a call to action, proposing a seven-point plan:
- Freeze at least half of the planned public administration hiring over the next five years to reduce duplication and waste.
- Reform healthcare governance, promote primary care, and regulate competition in the private healthcare sector.
- Review social benefits, prioritizing timely assistance and job reintegration.
- Eliminate unnecessary regulations by requiring each new law to replace at least one existing one.
- Reduce legal complications and orient the relationship between citizens and public administration towards a proactive dialogue
- Promote internal mobility of public sector personnel, overcoming organizational rigidities.
- Redefine the tasks of the State, focusing on education, healthcare, the environment, justice, and security, and leaving more room for private initiative.
Added to these measures is another: avoiding uncontrolled tax increases, proceeding only after first examining the potential for savings.
Beyond Ticino: Dialogue with Bern and Open Challenges
Federal Councillor Albert Rösti confirmed the importance of a balanced transport policy and a reliable energy strategy based on renewable, hydroelectric, and nuclear energy.
Furthermore, the issue of financial equalization remains open, perceived as penalizing Ticino compared to other cantons, and also as an issue that undermines federal solidarity.
Critical comments, however, were made about the Socialist Youth initiative, which was opposed by the CC-TI and the business community due to its negative effects on SMEs and family businesses.
From the Ordinary General Assembly of Cc-Ti, a message: look forward with resilience and pragmatism.
The challenges ahead are not easy.
In the past, Ticino has demonstrated its ability to transform problems into opportunities.
The entrepreneurial spirit, the strategic position on the north-south axis, the creativity and the international level research centres confirm themselves as the foundations for a relaunch of our territory.
CC-TI President Andrea Gehri reminded us of this in his closing remarks: "It's time for reform to better serve. And that time is now, not tomorrow!"
The message from the CC-TI evening is clear: only with trust, constructive dialogue, and a sense of collective responsibility can Ticino overcome the challenges that await it.
For all images:
© Ti-Press / Pablo Gianinazzi
