contents
Inflation leads to rising prices in Switzerland. Politicians argued in the “Arena” about solutions.
The prices are rising. Last May, Swiss citizens had to pay 2.9 percent more for goods and services than in the previous year. Anyone who drives a car notices the increase in prices at the gas station, the costs for heating have risen by more than 80 percent compared to last year, groceries and rent are becoming more expensive.
“The next step is for employers to pay more wages,” said Daniel Lampart, chief economist at the Swiss Trade Union Confederation (SGB) in the “Arena” on Friday evening. This should strengthen the purchasing power of employees. Otherwise, low earners in particular would have more and more trouble living off their wages because of inflation.
The trade unions receive support from the center. This also calls for an adjustment of pensions. “We need solutions, no party banter,” said Center National Councilor Philipp Kutter about the surprising alliance with the left.
Solidarity between left and center
The center stands on the side of those who had constructive solutions ready. Sometimes these can be found on the bourgeois side, for example when it comes to petrol prices. Sometimes these are also on the left side.
“Price will continue to rise due to supply bottlenecks and rising energy prices,” says Kutter. This extraordinary situation requires that private households be relieved quickly. This is also part of the social responsibility of the center.
Targeted measures include increasing pensions and reducing health insurance premiums. That fits the party program. “The center has been involved in health care costs for a very long time.” With the cost brake initiative, she wants to get health costs under control in the long term.
FDP and SVP want to lower taxes
“We have to calm down and not take any hasty measures,” said FDP National Councilor Olivier Feller. The Swiss National Bank has already acted quickly and proactively by raising the key interest rate in order to curb inflation.
While production has grown steadily, wages have stagnated for years.
“We feel the inflation especially in goods that are imported, such as oil or fuel or certain foods.” Politicians should restrict themselves specifically to those goods that are more expensive today and reduce taxes on mineral oil or value added tax, for example.
Rising rents and health insurance
SP National Councilor Samira Marti pointed out that 63 percent of the country’s economic output can be attributed to society’s consumption. While production is growing steadily, wages have stagnated for years.
Private households would also be increasingly burdened by rising rents and health insurance premiums. You have to remedy that now – but not according to the watering can principle: “There is no economic policy reason why you should subsidize caviar,” says Marti.
Further inflation expected in autumn
From the point of view of SVP National Councilor Thomas Matter, the SP’s demand is a “socialist redistribution fairy tale under the guise of inflation”. It is unclear who will pay for these additional costs, such as health insurance premiums.
“These measures are at the expense of the hard-working middle class, who have to pay for it out of their pockets.” They also lead to a wage-price spiral that only exacerbates inflation. Instead, Matter called for a reduction in the gasoline tax. This is a real, targeted relief.
The politicians in the “Arena” unanimously expect that inflation will continue to rise in the autumn. In addition, there was a price shock for the health insurance companies and there were also detailed warnings of rising electricity prices. However, the heated debate showed that politicians are still divided on the possible solutions.