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Broad alliance fights for security of pensions, tax revenues and food supply
On September 25, in times of growing uncertainty, voters will decide on three key pillars of stability: safeguarding the AHV, bringing tax revenues back to Switzerland and ensuring a secure food supply. Specifically, the issues at stake are the AHV21 reform, the reform of the withholding tax and the popular initiative against factory farming. A broad alliance of the business community is campaigning for the AHV and withholding tax reforms and opposes new regulations for agriculture, which ultimately alone increases foreign dependency
The geopolitical and economic situation is characterized by great uncertainty. The aftermath of the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and supply chain problems are just a few key words. In such times, it is particularly important that Switzerland does its homework and tackles reforms. These include the financial stabilization of the AHV and the overdue reform of the withholding tax. At the same time, unnecessary and expensive experiments such as the livestock initiative must be avoided in such times.
The AHV21 reform stabilizes the strained financial situation in the 1st pillar by equalizing the retirement age for women and men and by a moderate increase in value added tax. At the same time, the transition to retirement is made more flexible. This reform is a first, indispensable step toward greater pension security without pension cuts.
The reform of the withholding tax stops tax gifts to foreign countries. Today, Switzerland is at a disadvantage when it comes to financing with bonds. Because of the withholding tax, the business has largely migrated abroad. As a result, tax revenues are lost and financing becomes more expensive for the federal government, cantons and municipalities. Financing conditions also deteriorate for hospitals, public transport and energy suppliers. Therefore, everyone benefits from the reform of the withholding tax. When business is brought back from abroad, tax revenues increase and the public sector saves on interest costs. The opening of the capital market also brings opportunities for our pension funds and for sustainable investments in Switzerland.
The unnecessary animal husbandry initiative overshoots the mark by stipulating organic requirements. Already today, the requirements for animal husbandry in Switzerland are very high compared to other countries. Switzerland is the only country that already has maximum livestock numbers. The unnecessary initiative makes domestic food production massively more expensive. Regional production is weakened at the expense of imports. In addition, the proposal will mean less freedom of choice for consumers and significantly higher prices for animal-based foods such as meat, eggs and milk. Secure pensions, bringing taxpayers’ money back to Switzerland and a secure food supply are important goals in uncertain times. A broad alliance of politicians and businesses is therefore supporting the Federal Council and Parliament. On September 25, the alliance is committed to a YES to the reform of AHV and withholding tax, as well as a NO to the extreme livestock initiative.
Queries:
Valentin Vogt, President of the Swiss Employers’ Association, 079 634 12 10
NR Markus Ritter, President of the Swiss Farmers’ Union, 079 300 56 93
Christoph Mäder, President of economiesuisse, 079 322 47 81
NR Fabio Regazzi, President of the Swiss Trade Association sgv, 079 253 12 74
Matthias Leuenberger, President of scienceindustries, 079 569 14 13
Marcel Rohner, President of the Swiss Bankers Association, media@sba.ch
Dr. Rolf Dörig, President of the Swiss Insurance Association SIA, media@svv.ch
David Frick, President of SwissHoldings ,info@swissholdings.ch
Martin Hirzel, President of Swissmem, m.hirzel@swissmem.ch,+41 44 384 48 50
Dr. Hans-Jörg Bertschi, Co-President of Swiss Family Business, info@swiss-family-business.ch
