SP National Councilor Jacqueline Badran (60) is appearing publicly again after a self-imposed three-month break. In the first interview after her break, she is as combative as ever on “her” issues such as excessive rents and health insurance premiums. She is divided on possible arms deliveries to Ukraine and the role of Switzerland.
SRF News: You appear at the Swiss Economic Forum (SEF) on a panel called “rebelliously successful”. Do you feel like a rebel?
Jacqueline Badran: Not at all. I always find it a bit childish when people who may not have a run-of-the-mill charisma or biography are called rebels.
But you are considered a rebel in politics?
I’m more the scout guide type. I feed myself with a lot of hard work and work, and that’s not particularly sexy and rebellious.
Due to rising petrol prices, there are political proposals abroad: Germany has decided on a relief package worth billions and petrol prices are being capped in France. Should Switzerland do something like this too?
No, absolutely not, that’s superfluous. It’s “Pipifax” compared to the rents and health insurance premiums and other costs that are increasing massively. These burden households and consumption in the country. Rents have been rising by billions for years, although they should actually be falling. That means an economic Gau.
Rents have been rising by billions for years, although they should actually be falling. That means an economic Gau.
But you could also say: Small cattle also make crap.
Yes, there would also be the possibility of talking about helicopter money or reimbursement of money through health insurance premiums. But if, as the SVP demands, the mineral oil tax or the VAT were reduced, then a “Zürigler” would benefit disproportionately if he drives a large SUV car that consumes 15 liters. The others get nothing, which is not okay.
Regarding the Ukraine war: Germany has submitted an application that ammunition from Switzerland should be supplied to the Ukraine. What is your opinion?
That’s an ambivalent question. As a civilian I would say emotionally: It is a war of aggression that is outlawed under international law. We must support Ukraine, including with arms. As a politician, I have to say: We have an embargo law and the right to neutrality. Neither is compatible with the two rights. We would have to change the law first. And I’m not sure whether more weapons will bring peace, or whether it wouldn’t be better to reach a negotiated solution quickly and that Switzerland can contribute to.
If we deliver weapons, Switzerland can no longer take on a negotiating role. But that’s where we’re strong.
Isn’t it a bit easy to say: We don’t do anything even though there is an emergency situation?
It might be easier to demand that Switzerland must supply arms because we have to defend our values. But the situation is complex. There is a balancing of interests, especially for neutral Switzerland. You have to see that if we deliver weapons, Switzerland can no longer take on a negotiating role. But that’s where we’re strong.
But the negotiations are dead anyway. People always talk about the good offices of Switzerland, but not much happens. A concrete initiative by Switzerland would be, for example, that it would bring grain out of the Ukraine so that the port of Odessa would be free.
Yes, but the Russians won’t do that because it’s their leverage. If anything, the overland route would have to be secured – for example in such a way that SBB Cargo could accompany the transports from the border. Unfortunately, we cannot send freight wagons because we have different track widths than the Ukraine.
Reto Lipp conducted the interview.