Economiesuisse boss scolds: “I think the energy strategy has failed”

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The Swiss economy is currently reeling. Credit Suisse is disappearing, rising electricity and gas prices are putting Switzerland’s energy supply at the forefront, rising prices and an aging population are creating new challenges.

What does the powerful trade association Economiesuisse say about this? Its president, Christoph Mäder (64), speaks to Tacheles in an interview with “NZZ”. This Friday is heading towards “Economy Day”.

Huge accumulation of reforms

Mäder speaks of an “accumulation of reform”. Switzerland postponed important social and economic policy issues for too long. “I’m thinking about energy policy, old age insurance and of course the European file,” says Mäder. He expects “more management work” from the Federal Council.

Specifically, the top entrepreneur identifies gaps in energy supply: “I think the energy strategy has failed.” With the planned phase-out of nuclear power, the gap between electricity generation and electricity demand will widen. Therefore, Switzerland needs to increase domestic production; According to Mäder, this figure will double by 2050. This is not possible with sun and wind.

He sees “next generation nuclear power plants” as a solution. Provided that Switzerland starts planning immediately and improves the framework conditions for nuclear power plants: “Instead, over the past two decades we have done the opposite and relied solely on electricity imports.” This is becoming more and more of a problem because electricity is scarce abroad as well.

Hope for a “more business-friendly parliament”

But the problem lies not only in the leadership at the federal level, but also in the people themselves. According to Mäder, a “democracy of anxiety” is developing more and more, where self-interest undermines the will to compromise. This is also due to the increasing polarization of the parties. This hinders meaningful solutions.

However, Mäder believes that Credit Suisse’s collapse will not lead to a shift to the left in the upcoming parliamentary elections, but may “improve the situation in favor of a more business-friendly composition”.

Source :Blick