Leftists hold Parmelin to account

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In times of crisis – there are even federal councilors who joke about it – the government does only one thing best: to observe. “We are monitoring the situation” became a saying during the corona pandemic. And even now that the housing market has dried up and rents are almost unaffordable for some people, the Federal Council wants to wait and check.

Minister of Economic Affairs Guy Parmelin (63), head of the Federal Housing Office (BWO), recently warned of “socio-political tensions” if rents rise “and people with a modest income can no longer find housing”. The consequence? “I am following developments closely and studying possible measures with the BWO,” the Federal Council told the “SonntagsZeitung”.

“That’s Embarrassing”

The cabinet gives a similar response to an initiative by Carlo Sommaruga (63), SP Council of Geneva and chairman of the Tenants’ Association. “The Bundesrat currently sees no need for immediate measures, but is closely following further developments,” it sounds.

Sommaruga can only shake his head. “It is unbelievable that the Federal Council is not proposing anything in the face of such an emergency and the looming social crisis.”

The Green National Councilor Natalie Imboden (52) from the canton of Bern reacted incomprehensibly. “It’s a tragedy. Parmelin’s analysis that the current situation is leading to social unrest is correct. But something needs to be done urgently now!” she says.

The Federal Housing Office reports on a Blick request that the first measures have been discussed. But nothing is “ready to say” yet. For years there has been a group of representatives from the federal government, cantons and cities that meet to discuss housing policy. But the committee only meets once a year – most recently last September.

More return instead of less rent?

Impatience is growing in Parliament. Even the common people see the need for action. On Monday, two advances from the Lucerne FDP Council of States Damian Müller (38) are on the agenda of the small chamber. He calls on the Federal Council to investigate the factors that led to the explosion in housing rents – and to propose measures to address the problem in the medium and long term.

However, nothing will change anytime soon. Moreover: Immediately afterwards, the Council of States also decides on the initiative of the Graubünden Central Council of States, Stefan Engler (62). The title of his claim promises good things: “More legal certainty in tenancy law” – for landlords and tenants.

But leftists warn that the main thing is to enshrine higher compensation for landlords in the law. The goal is to determine how much higher the net return can be above the reference rate set by the federal government. The initiative is likely to be clearly accepted, and the Federal Council also welcomes it. Tenant representatives like Natalie Imboden and Carlo Sommaruga are sure: instead of tackling the problem, you’re only making it worse.

Source:Blick