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Now the battle for the AHV begins! The unions will launch their voting campaign for the 13th AHV pension on Tuesday. On March 3, voters will decide on the introduction of a 13th monthly wage for seniors.
Union leaders such as SGB president Pierre-Yves Maillard (55) and Unia boss Vania Alleva (54) take part in the opening media conference. This includes SP co-leader Mattea Meyer (36) and Travailsuisse vice-president Léonore Porchet (34). The media invitation also mysteriously refers to ‘other’ participants.
This is a smart move by the initiators. Because in addition to Left and Greens, representatives from the center are now also joining the battle for a 13th AHV pension. The newly elected centrist National Councilor from Ticino, Giorgio Fonio (39), will appear at the start of the campaign, as he confirmed to Blick.
The initiative offers a clear answer to a real problem: “We want to guarantee adequate pensions to all those employees who otherwise risk retiring under precarious conditions,” he makes clear. What is needed is a pension that “does not force those affected to apply for state aid or – worse – leave the country they helped build.”
“Decent pensions”
Fonio is regional secretary of the Christian-social Ticino union OCST. Other centrist politicians from Christian social associations also support the initiative. For example, the former central secretary of the Syna and Kreuzlingen municipal councilor Ernst Zülle (64). “Poverty in old age is still widespread,” says the Thurgau resident. There are many elderly people who have to survive solely on an AHV pension and can barely pay their bills – especially women. “The supplementary pension is necessary and we can afford it,” he is convinced.
Former national councilor Jacques Neirynck (92, VD) is also committed to the cause. He knows many people from his generation who are ashamed of the current AHV pensions. He does not believe that his efforts will cause problems for his own party. He makes it clear that deviations in his party will be tolerated. And he believes the middle base is behind the case. Ultimately it is about ‘decent pensions’.
“For years, politicians have failed to ensure that our pensioners, who have worked hard all their lives, can live out the rest of their lives in dignity,” said Mitte city councilor Michelle Renaud (48), who said yes.
In her municipality of Trub BE she is responsible for the Society department. “I see the problem that for many people their pension is barely enough to live on.” The additional benefits would hardly help, because they would have to be repaid – for example through an inheritance. “That deters many people from applying for it.” For the former Telebärn presenter, who reached second place on the middle list in the National Council elections in Bern, it is clear: “All we need is a sign.”
High yes rates
Many people in the population seem willing to make such a statement. A survey by Sotomo shows that 71 percent are in favor of the initiative. The yes values were also high in the bourgeois camp: 69 percent for the center, 65 percent for the SVP, 62 percent for the GLP and 56 percent for the FDP.
This is not only reflected in the fact that centrist representatives are now coming out of the closet and standing up for a yes vote. There are also numerous supporters in the SVP – especially in French-speaking Switzerland. The Geneva canton party has decided on the yes slogan, and the SVP of Lower Valais has approved the vote. The initiative therefore has a real chance of success at the ballot box.
Source:Blick
I am Liam Livingstone and I work in a news website. My main job is to write articles for the 24 Instant News. My specialty is covering politics and current affairs, which I’m passionate about. I have worked in this field for more than 5 years now and it’s been an amazing journey. With each passing day, my knowledge increases as well as my experience of the world we live in today.
