Switzerland suffers from “growing pains” according to political analyst
Published: Monday, Nov 25th 2024, 06:50
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Political analyst Michael Hermann sees the "no" to the highway expansion as a triumph for the ecological camp. "Our surveys clearly show that Switzerland is suffering from growing pains," said Hermann in an interview with the "Tamedia" newspapers.
According to Hermann, many people felt that the country was growing too fast and feared an increasingly gray, concreted-over Switzerland. Money may also have played a key role: In times of austerity, people are thinking twice and three times about whether they need this billion-euro investment in roads.
The political analyst described the narrow Yes vote on the Efas healthcare bill (uniform outpatient/inpatient financing) as "a minor sensation". He interpreted it as a strong argument against the theory that there is a crisis of confidence between the population and politicians.
The double "no" to the rental proposals could be seen as a vote against rising rents and in favor of greater tenant protection, Hermann is quoted as saying. However, it is becoming clear that there will be no simple solution, at least for rising rents.
"A slap in the face for the real estate lobby"
Voters rejected the six highway expansion projects approved by the Federal Council and parliament with 52.7 percent against. A left-green alliance, which had launched a referendum against the Federal Council's decision, prevailed. Following the rejection, they demanded that the money freed up should now be used for public transport, cycle paths and climate protection.
The tenants' association spoke of a "slap in the face for the real estate lobby" following the double no vote on the tenancy law proposals. With 53.8 percent of the vote, landlords were denied easier ways to register their own needs. And with 51.6 percent of votes, voters said no to stricter rules for subletting residential and commercial premises.
On the other hand, the uniform financing key for all services co-paid by basic insurance, the most complex proposal of the weekend, was approved. 53.3 percent said yes to the bill, which was opposed by the trade unions and the SP, and supporters expect that a system error will now be corrected. From 2028, health insurance companies will have to cover a good three quarters of the costs of all treatments and the cantons just under a quarter.
©Keystone/SDA
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