Vaud SVP rejects 13th AHV pension
Published: Friday, Jan 12th 2024, 12:10
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The initiative for a 13th AHV pension is causing debate in the SVP sections of French-speaking Switzerland. On Thursday, the Vaud SVP said no to the popular initiative by a relatively narrow margin. The delegates thus endorsed the position of the national party. The vote had been eagerly awaited, especially as the Geneva section had previously voted in favor.
In Vuarrens, around 150 SVP delegates recommended voting no to the 13th AHV pension, as the cantonal section announced on Friday. The result was relatively close. There were 70 no votes, 41 yes votes and 20 abstentions. This corresponds to a majority of 53.4 percent. The debates were lively, as the local media reported.
Although the SVP Vaud recognizes the need to increase the purchasing power of the middle class and thus of many pensioners, it refuses to try the poisoned gift of the trade unions, according to the press release. "What the left pretends to give away with its right hand, it will take back with its left hand by increasing VAT and wage deductions", National Councillor Jacques Nicolet is quoted as saying in the communiqué.
Dissenters in the French-speaking part of Switzerland
In western Switzerland, the first cantonal sections pulled out in December. The Geneva section of the SVP decided to support the initiative, while the SVP Lower Valais decided to abstain from voting. The Neuchâtel section recommends a "no" vote, and the Jura section has yet to make a statement.
The popular initiative launched by the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions (SGB) and women's and pensioners' organizations calls for a "thirteenth" for old-age pensions, as many working people know it. Specifically, recipients of an AHV pension should be entitled to an annual supplement amounting to one twelfth of their annual pension. The Federal Council and Parliament recommend a "no" to the initiative, which will be put to the people on March 3.
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