Christoph Blocher announces the end of his Albisgüetli speeches
Published: Friday, Jan 19th 2024, 22:20
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Former Federal Councillor Christoph Blocher greeted "dear women and men" for the last time at the Zurich SVP's Albisgüetli conference on Friday. He announced that he would no longer be giving speeches on this stage. "My speaking time has expired", he said.
He is now 84 years old and will probably not live as long as he has already lived. That is why this is his last Albisgüetli speech. However, he will continue to fight for Switzerland. "As long as I still can."
Instead of continuing to talk, he sang the song "Ich bi de Schacher Seppli" by Ruedi Rymann. However, he changed the lyrics: "Ich bi de Blocher Stöffeli", he sang alongside a folk music formation. The approximately 1000 SVP members in the Albisgüetli Schützenhaus rewarded this with a standing ovation.
"I would also take a 15th AHV pension"
In his last speech, Blocher discussed, among other things, the 13th AHV pension, which will be put to the people in March. In principle, he has sympathy for this issue. "Of course it would be nice to receive a 13th AHV pension," said Blocher. "As an AHV pensioner, I would also like a fourteenth and a fifteenth."
Nevertheless, the SVP must say no to this bill. Who wants more payroll deductions or higher taxes? "That would mean less money for everyone to live on."
Maillard: "Big banks are going bankrupt - the AHV is not"
Pierre-Yves Maillard, SP member of the Vaud cantonal parliament and President of the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions, naturally takes a different view. In his speech, he emphasized that the 13th AHV pension is not only necessary, but that Switzerland also has the means to pay for it.
Contrary to all gloomy forecasts, the AHV has not gone bankrupt to date and will not do so tomorrow. "The big banks sometimes go bankrupt - the AHV doesn't." Maillard described the conservative campaign against the bill as "aggressive" and "misleading".
Poor people are described as rich, although this is not the case. He knows a pensioner, for example, who does not have enough money to heat her house. But because she still owns this old house, she cannot receive supplementary benefits and, according to the bourgeoisie, is a "wealthy pensioner".
"As superfluous as a ski subscription"
There is nothing more important for a country than ensuring that the entire population has food to eat and a warm roof over their heads. Perhaps other expenses are somewhat superfluous? "As superfluous as a ski season ticket for the Federal Councillors, for example. Mr. Blocher, I'm sure you understand this down-to-earth consideration very well," Maillard continued.
However, there is a big difference between Blocher and a large part of the population. "Many people need this 13th AHV pension, they need it urgently."
The 36th Albisgüetli Conference, the last to feature a Blocher speech, was attended by numerous SVP politicians, including Federal Councillor Albert Rösti, parliamentary group leader Thomas Aeschi, Blocher's daughter, National Councillor Magdalena Martullo-Blocher and National Councillor Marcel Dettling, who is running for the presidency of the Swiss SVP.
©Keystone/SDA
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