Friday marks the anniversary of the offensive war against Ukraine. The ban on passing on Swiss-made weapons is still a matter of debate. The question arises how far Switzerland can go for reasons of neutrality. During a walk along the Aare, the SP leadership takes a stand – and looks at the elections in the autumn.
Blick: A year ago Russia attacked Ukraine. We no longer thought war was possible in Europe. We all had to doubt ourselves. Has the SP changed their positions?
Cedric Wermuth: We have been assisting the Ukrainian people since the beginning of the war, nothing has changed there. For us, that means that we must finally ensure that Putin’s war of aggression is not co-financed by our country. The Federal Council is far too reluctant to act here: funds from oligarchs are not actively sought and trading in Russian commodities is still possible. What we have actually discussed intensively is the issue of re-exporting Swiss ammunition.
The SP forged a compromise together with the center and the FDP. They want to allow the transfer of weapons. Is the SP for arms deliveries?
Matthew Meijer: No, but countries such as Germany or Denmark should be able to pass on war material previously purchased from Switzerland to Ukraine in narrowly defined exceptional cases and in the case of self-defense according to international law. However, direct transfers of arms from Switzerland to countries involved in wars are excluded.
At the same time, the German party Die Linke calls for peace. This seems like a call to Ukraine to just give up.
Mayer: We all long for peace. But what the feminist Alice Schwarzer and the left-wing member of parliament Sahra Wagenknecht demand in Germany with their call is presumptuous: the attacked Ukraine must give up for the sake of peace. That Putin would then calm down is an illusion.
It would make sense to give up neutrality and supply weapons directly.
wormwood: The SP was one of the first left-wing parties in Europe to condemn the war as Russian aggression. Ukraine has the right to use armed force to defend itself. The countries that can supply arms should do so. Switzerland has a different role. But countries like Germany must be able to pass on ammunition that has already been delivered.
NATO countries have to deliver and Switzerland doesn’t?
After Christian’s resignation height (52) acquisitions Matthew Meyer (35) and Cedric wormwood (37) in October 2020 the SP main post. The two have been a renowned duo since their Juso days. 2015 became Meyer elected to the National Council. She currently sits on the Social and Health Committee. wormwood became National Councilor in 2011. He is a member of the Economy and Taxation Commission. Both have children.
After Christian’s resignation height (52) acquisitions Matthew Meyer (35) and Cedric wormwood (37) in October 2020 the SP main post. The two have been a renowned duo since their Juso days. 2015 became Meyer elected to the National Council. She currently sits on the Social and Health Committee. wormwood became National Councilor in 2011. He is a member of the Economy and Taxation Commission. Both have children.
wormwood: The central question is: how can we best help the people of Ukraine? Switzerland’s most effective lever as a financial center is different: we must stop financing the Russian regime’s war machine. That hypocrisy irritates me: those in parliament who are stopping us from boycotting Russian raw materials are the ones who are now stepping in to supply arms – to as many countries as possible.
Mayer: And then Switzerland has a second role: as a neutral country we could be a place for peace negotiations. And we have a tradition of taking on protection mandates. Even though the chance of us playing a role here is small, we cannot block it.
Doesn’t Switzerland have a humanitarian responsibility before? The Federal Council has put together a package of 140 million. Is that enough?
Mayer: No, that’s not enough. Switzerland can and must do more.
Switzerland is in last place when it comes to aid to Ukraine. Even if the state government now wants to do more. Isn’t that embarrassing?
wormwood: Of course, compared to the support of other European countries, we are unfortunately not generous. Our responsibility is particularly great, because banks and commodity traders have long benefited from the Russian regime and in some cases still do. One of Ukraine’s major problems is debt. The country was already in debt before the war and now has exorbitant foreign obligations. Switzerland must take the lead in a haircut for Ukraine. The way in which refugees are treated in Switzerland must also be examined.
The people from Ukraine are the only ones who have been granted protection status S.
Mayer: We focus too much on people who leave as soon as things calm down. Most want to go back anyway. But their status is so uncertain that it is also a risk for employers to train or hire someone. Better perspectives are needed here. If people then return with the professional qualifications they have acquired here, it will help with reconstruction.
wormwood: Training funding is definitely a win for both Ukraine and Switzerland. It is true that more Ukrainians have found a job than other groups of refugees. But we’re not where we need to be yet.
Mayer: We often have women with small children with us. Do they have to work and leave their children at home alone? Here, too, more care is needed so that these mothers can actually work.
Let’s turn to domestic politics: there will be a showdown over pension fund reform during the spring session. They demand better pensions and announce the referendum, even though the reform will provide better pensions for low-paid workers. How does that go together?
Mayer: Better pensions? Exactly not! An example: anyone who turns 45 today and earns just under 3,000 francs a month will receive about 100 francs more from his pension fund. But even with the AHV that is not enough to live on. The person remains dependent on a supplement, so that he has just as little money in old age as under the current scheme. But she now has to pay more than 110 francs a month more in salary contributions. Money missing from the wallet! With this reform of the pension fund, low-income women will only have to save in supplementary benefits. Such a pension reform has no chance with the people.
You object to the reform because you want to expand the AHV.
Mayer: In the case of the pension fund, the cost-benefit ratio is completely wrong. The reform will cost three billion more in wage contributions. If, on the other hand, we use this money for the AHV, we can pay most pensioners a 13th AHV. Cash at hand! But if you just want to increase the profits of banks and insurance companies instead of helping the low income earners…
The SP did better than expected in the elections in Zurich. Since then they seem calmer.
Mayer: I slept well from election Sunday to Monday. The result is of course a relief! But a lot can happen before fall. We cannot sit back.
The Greens are the losers. How big is your gloating?
Mayer: Zero. We see a shift to the right in Zurich, but also in Baselland. If this increases in the autumn, it will be a setback for a social and ecological Switzerland. It is imperative that we progressive forces win this election.
You’ll be a little happy. A green attack on a seat of the SP Bundesrat has become less likely.
wormwood: The composition of the Federal Council is not the most pressing problem. The cost of living is exploding, rents are unaffordable for many, health insurance premiums are rising – we need to find solutions to counter this.
Mayer: Today’s Federal Council refuses to do anything about the loss of purchasing power. It is therefore crucial for us that the SVP-FDP majority in the Bundesrat be broken.
The prospects are bad. In Zurich, the SP failed to make up for the Greens’ losses.
Mayer: But with our seat gain, we saved the narrow majority of the climate alliance. This way we can move forward with climate protection and equality.
When it comes to voter share, the SP has increased only minimally. The green votes have gone elsewhere!
wormwood: The rise in SVP votes is frightening. There is a danger that the right will be strengthened under the leadership of the SVP. It is important to put the legal block in place. We have to arrive.
In 2019, the SP earned 16.8 percent. By how much do you want to increase the number of voters?
wormwood: That’s the wrong question. We focus on political solutions, not on voter participation.
Because you’re afraid of being judged on it?
Mayer: We want to grow in the National Council and retain the number of seats in the Council of States. We know that’s ambitious.
The old guard resigns in the Council of States. At best, the SP had twelve mandates. Insignificance threatens.
wormwood: This record was due to the special environment. In bourgeois cantons such as St. Gallen or Freiburg, the constellation has to be right to get to the Stöckli.
Mayer: We must not lose! The Council of States is a disaster in the current legislature when it comes to social issues. During Corona, he rejected support for business rents and most recently the extra premium discount.
Because Mitte boss Gerhard Pfister has no control over his council members?
Mayer: This impression occurs to me. We have agreed a purchasing power package with Pfister to reduce premiums for households and offset pension inflation. But his people betrayed him.
The SVP insists on national list connections with the FDP.
Mayer: The fact that the SVP wants to join hands with the FDP is the result of the liberal giving in to the SVP.
wormwood: I don’t know anything else in Aargau. A liberal with an independent position and a social conscience would be important. The FDP under President Thierry Burkart has completely given up on that.
Source:Blick
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