Great disappointment among red-green parties after federal court ruling
Published: Thursday, Dec 12th 2024, 18:10
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Following the unanimous rejection by the Federal Supreme Court of the appeal against the vote to raise the retirement age for women, there was great disappointment in the red-green camp. Despite the defeat, the latter appeared combative in the aftermath. Meanwhile, the center-right welcomed the decision.
"We are disappointed, we are sad, we are angry - and rightly so," said SP Co-President Mattea Meyer after the decision in Lausanne. The claim that the AHV was on the brink of financial ruin and that there was no alternative to raising the retirement age for women was wrong during the referendum campaign and still is today, she continued.
At the same time, the Social Democrat was combative. "Today we are disappointed, but tomorrow we will fight on. Tomorrow we will be successful".
Green Party President Lisa Mazzone - whose party was the complainant alongside the SP Women - also expressed her "anger and bitterness" at the Federal Supreme Court's rejection of the complaints against the 2022 AHV vote. An error had been identified, but it had simply been trivialized.
Trade unions see "despondent" decision
Numerous trade unions - above all the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB) - were also disappointed by the Federal Supreme Court's decision. "Women are being cheated out of a year's pension," said the SGB. This was despite the fact that the majority of women were clearly against the reform. The federal judges gave greater weight to legal certainty.
"Although women have lower pensions, the pension age increase was a one-sided saving on their backs." Following today's ruling, politicians therefore have an even greater responsibility to finally do something about the large pension gap for women, the statement continued.
The trade union Unia spoke of a "despondent" decision by the Federal Supreme Court. It was a serious blow for women in Switzerland. The trade union umbrella organization Travailsuisse and the Syna trade union also criticized the decision. It is questionable whether the population would have agreed to the increase if the financial situation of the AHV had been presented correctly, Travailsuisse said - and ruled out further pension age increases.
Civic camp welcomes decision
There was a completely different tone from the ranks of the center, center-right and right: SVP National Councillor Barbara Steinemann described the Federal Court's decision as "very reasonable". It would have been questionable in terms of the rule of law if the vote had been repeated on the basis of predictions, said the Zurich-based MP when asked by Keystone-SDA.
If the vote on the women's retirement age had now been repeated, the vote on the 13th AHV would also have had to be repeated, as the starting position would have been different if women only had to work until 64, said Steinemann.
The center respects the independent decision of the Federal Supreme Court. It strengthens trust in democracy and institutions, the party announced on the online portal X. "Particularly in view of the increasing polarization, it is crucial that our institutions function smoothly and are respected so that they can work independently," wrote Die Mitte. The party will continue to campaign for a secure AHV.
Meanwhile, FDP Vice-President and National Councillor Andri Silberschmidt took note of the Federal Supreme Court's decision. The result of the vote was not only based on the figures, but also on the need for equality. The need for action in the AHV is still enormous, said the Zurich resident at the request of Keystone-SDA. It was a matter of securing the AHV for future generations.
The Swiss Employers' Association (SAV) also welcomed the Federal Supreme Court's decision. An annulment would have meant disproportionate effort and would have raised numerous questions about how to proceed, it said in a press release. Furthermore, it is fair in terms of equality and life expectancy for women and men to have the same official reference age.
The Federal Council is now expected to come up with a viable solution as part of the 2026 AHV reform that provides for a realistic increase in the reference age in line with life expectancy. The Swiss Trade Association (SGV) also welcomed the decision. It is an "important step for the continued existence of the pension system in Switzerland".
Correctness of data is key for the Federal Council
The Federal Council has taken note of the ruling. It is awaiting the detailed written reasons for the ruling and will draw the necessary conclusions, it said in a statement. The correctness of the data in the legislative process is central to the opinion-forming and decision-making process of the Federal Council, parliament, the population and political players, the government continued.
In order to improve and ensure a reliable basis for decision-making, the Federal Council asked the Swiss Federal Audit Office (SFAO) to accept a mandate for a one-off review of the quality assurance of the data, forecasting models and methodology.
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