No committee against stopping mandatory vaccination initiative: GLP-Flach competes with Rima and Co

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Healthcare costs and electricity supply: On June 9, the Swiss will vote on two issues of great concern. But there’s another proposal on the ballot that almost no one is talking about: it’s ending the Swiss Freedom Movement’s mandatory vaccination initiative. Well-known personalities such as former Lucerne SVP council member Yvette Estermann (57) and comedian Marco Rima (62) are on the initiative committee.

The initiative demands that no one should be punished or disadvantaged for refusing a vaccination or other interference with personal integrity. The issue is currently flying so under the radar that until recently there was not even a ‘no’ committee of the federal parliamentary parties. And despite the fact that the Federal Council and Parliament rejected the initiative, only the SVP has adopted the yes slogan.

“Someone has to represent this.”

But now someone is taking a stand against Rima and co.: Aargau GLP councilor Beat Flach (59) has single-handedly set up a no committee. Because a yes would have major consequences, he explains: you could not even enforce mandatory vaccinations for staff in an intensive care unit. “It would also no longer be possible to test for alcohol by taking blood during a traffic stop. And even the use of drugs to immobilize people who pose a danger to themselves or others would be prohibited.”

Flach is not afraid that the initiative will be accepted. For democratic reasons, he thinks it is important that there is a committee: “If the Federal Council and Parliament reject the initiative, someone must represent it in the voting campaign.”

A few colleagues, but no money

Flach started as a ‘one-man show’, but now he has colleagues from other parties – the No Committee consists of Ausserrhoden state councilor Andrea Caroni (43), Center National councilor Maja Bally (62), FDP national councilor Patricia von Falkenstein (62), Green Party National Councilor Nicolas Walder (57) and SP National Councilor Valerie Piller (45).

Flach does not have money for an actual campaign, but the committee will hold a media conference in early May and have a presence on social media. Flat also thinks about designing and launching a website.

In the past, the parties separated

The fact that the issue of a commission depends on the goodwill and commitment of individual politicians is relatively new. Only a few years ago it was common for the federal parliamentary parties to meet before the vote and divide the individual proposals among themselves. The money for the campaigns came from the business community or other associations – depending on the topic and political orientation.

But this system has been dormant for a few years. “Worry,” says Flach. Today the associations would run campaigns themselves, but only on issues that are important to them. “And often not even particularly good,” he says, referring to the vote on the 13th AHV pension.

Economiesuisse had invested more than four billion francs there – and still lost heavily. The parties are therefore convinced that they can spend the money better. Without additional resources, campaigning for parties is an effort that is hardly worth it.

It is not the first time that GLP man Flach has created a voting battle that deserves this name. During the SVP’s enforcement initiative in 2016, it was thanks to him and then SP State Councilor Hans Stöckli (71) that politicians opposed the initiative.

Source:Blick