Center President Gerhard Pfister wants constructive solutions
Published: Saturday, Sep 7th 2024, 11:00
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At the delegates' meeting of Mitte Schweiz in Wettingen AG, Mitte President Gerhard Pfister called for "constructive solutions" instead of polarization. The healthcare system must remain accessible and affordable for everyone, said Pfister.
Even after the rejection of the health cost brake initiative launched by the Center Party in June, the "number one issue of concern" for the Swiss population is to be addressed. The autumn of premiums is just around the corner and another six percent increase in health insurance premiums is forecast.
The insured should not have to pay the ever-increasing costs of a healthcare system that is "incapable of reform". The middle classes and families are particularly affected by this, as Pfister said. That is why the center is campaigning for a Yes to the Efas proposal for uniform financing of outpatient and inpatient healthcare services, which will be put to the vote on November 24.
A manifesto with centrist demands, which will be discussed by the delegates' meeting in Wettingen, should further contribute to ensuring that future generations "can also count on a high-quality healthcare system that is also accessible and affordable for all", said Pfister.
The constructive forces of the centrist party are also needed for relations with the European Union. Strong cooperation with the EU is important for Switzerland's prosperity. However, a future agreement must be compatible with direct democracy and contain rules on wage protection and immigration.
Flexible safeguard clause for immigration from the EU
The center proposes a safeguard clause that would allow Switzerland to limit immigration from the EU as soon as certain thresholds are exceeded. Instead of a rigid upper limit, the Federal Council or the cantonal governments should be able to take temporary measures for certain sectors or regions.
It is important to differentiate. "If, for example, immigration in the Grisons hospitality industry increases massively, the healthcare system in Geneva should not suffer as a result," said Pfister. The Centre Party had already put forward this proposal when the mass immigration initiative was implemented, but did not receive support from the SP and FDP at the time.
Successful realignment
Pfister described the opening up of the party at the beginning of 2021 with the renaming from CVP to "Die Mitte" as a success. In the 2023 national elections, Die Mitte won more seats than the BDP and CVP combined. For the first time since 1848, the party is stronger than the FDP in the National Council.
As the strongest force in the political center, the center must credibly differentiate itself from the left and right with its policies. It is worrying "when other opinions are shouted down and no longer heard", said Pfister, referring to the elections in the USA, France, Saxony and Thuringia.
"We want a Switzerland in which all people can develop freely and yet not act indifferently towards society, the environment and future generations," said Pfister.
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