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Four years ago, voters in the canton of Bern narrowly rejected the new energy law. This would greatly limit the installation of oil or gas heating systems. Following this popular rejection, in February 2019, the Great Bern Council launched an offensive to generously promote climate-friendly heating systems. They did not want to ban the Bernese from oil and gas; but maybe they could be motivated by financial incentives, such as voluntarily installing a heat pump or a wood pellet system? This line of reasoning was followed by 148 members of the council and only one vote against.
The SVP was also among the supporters. Their adviser Samuel Leuenberger from Banville in Oberaargau explained: “It seems reasonable to us that small systems in particular are increasingly being subsidized when replacing small oil heating systems.”
In fact, the program was a resounding success. Since 2019, the Canton of Bern has provided funding for the environmentally friendly replacement of about 11,000 oil, 1,000 gas and 2,000 electric heating systems.
Nearly two years ago, Swiss voters narrowly rejected a new CO2 law. Among other things, this would make oil and gas heating more expensive. After this popular rejection in June 2021, the National Council and the Council of States went on the offensive last fall for the generous promotion of cleaner heating systems. You don’t want to ban people from using oil and gas; but maybe with financial incentives they can be persuaded to voluntarily install, for example, a heat pump or a wood pellet system? The model for the federal decision, you guessed it, was that of the Canton of Bern. Only this time, the SVP not only unanimously rejected a proposal called a climate protection law, but even held a referendum against it. On June 18, we will make a decision by voting.
The failure of the CO2 law in 2021 was a triumph for the SVP. Because the party then initiated a referendum and, thanks to an aggressive campaign, was able to turn the tide in the country. At the time, the CO2 emissions law was considered the most important business of the legislature. His failure broke the green tide that brought more ecology into federal politics in the last election.
Obviously, SVP wants to build on this famous victory. That is why the party today is fighting against the fact that homeowners, and therefore some of their own supporters, receive cheaper heat pumps or wood heating. And who remembers that the representatives of the SVP in the Grand Council of the canton of Bern warmly welcomed such a measure in 2019?
More importantly, the starting point today is different from what it was when the fight against the CO2 law was going on. In June 2021, the case went against the unloved Environment Minister Simonetta Sommaruga. The campaigners, of course, were allowed to let it slip (“Federal Councilor Sommaruga is spreading fake news”). When the SVP attacked the climate protection law last fall, the Social Democrat was still in power. Meanwhile, however, Albert Rösti, his own Federal Council, is at the forefront of supporters. For better or worse, you should exercise a little more restraint.
Of course, we will hear some more meaningful statements in the coming weeks and months. On Friday, the SVP sent out a press release with an eye-catching headline: “Federal Counselor Rösti Says Opposite to National Councilor Rösti.” However, in general, the election campaign this time should be much less violent. This is good for the climate in the country – in any case, political, and with “yes” on June 18, I hope, meteorological.
Source: Blick
I am David Miller, a highly experienced news reporter and author for 24 Instant News. I specialize in opinion pieces and have written extensively on current events, politics, social issues, and more. My writing has been featured in major publications such as The New York Times, The Guardian, and BBC News. I strive to be fair-minded while also producing thought-provoking content that encourages readers to engage with the topics I discuss.
