The Swiss political party Center believes that international networks are a more effective way for expatriates to participate in Swiss political life than through party branches abroad. The party’s deputy secretary, Maxime Marteuil, explains how important social issues are to the party.
This content was published on August 10, 2023 – 09:00
In November 2020, the former Christian Democratic Party merged with the Conservative Democratic Party to become The Center.
Although the party does not know the exact number of its supporters around the world, Marteille said that the change of name would not extend beyond national borders, as the number of Swiss expatriates who would like to be included in the party’s electorate. It appears to have had a positive effect.” The list went up. ”
Center facts and figures
- Founding year: Founded in 1912 as the Swiss Conservative Party (formerly the People’s Party, Catholic parties existed in each canton before then)
- Predecessor party: Christian Democratic Party merged with Conservative Democratic Party in 2020
- Chairman: Gerhard Pfister
- Bundestag (Government) Post: 1, Viola Amheld (since 2019)
- Number of members: 93,500
- Percentage of seats in the Bundestag: 17%
- 28 members of the House of Representatives
- 14 senators
- Number of women in Congress: 6 in the House of Representatives and 5 in the Senate (total: 26%)
- Political positions – 3 main issues:
- It opposes polarization and sees itself as a balancing force between political extremes. With the slogan “We unite Switzerland”, the party pursues solution-oriented politics and contributes to finding “reasonable compromises” for the country.
- Support the middle class. As more and more households struggle with rising health insurance premiums, they are grappling with soaring medical costs. The party hopes to ease some of the economic burden on the middle class through cost control initiatives.
- We support married couples and oppose the so-called marriage penalty. Married couples must file taxes together. They pay higher taxes and receive lower national pension benefits than unmarried couples. The party wants to change this situation with two initiatives. (SRF)
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Use an exchange platformExternal link The center strives to build networks, disseminate information and motivate Swiss abroad to become politically active. Those interested have the opportunity to do this at the party’s state branch.
At the national level, the party is involved in the Swiss Deputies Abroad.External link This meeting is convened at the beginning of each parliamentary session to discuss political initiatives on the agenda that affect Swiss citizens living abroad. Of the group’s 80 parliamentarians, 15 are members of the centre.
Marteille said his party supports the representation of Swiss abroad in the Swiss parliament. This is already happening in France and Italy. However, he says that in order to stand for election, an overseas Swiss must be included on a political party’s electoral list.
Foreign nationals living in Switzerland can put their names on the center’s “international list” in preparation for the general elections scheduled for this autumn.
The center focuses on three issues affecting the diaspora: social security, voting rights, and access to the banking system.
social security
Regarding health insurance and national pension payments, Marteille said: “We are campaigning for effective social security for all Swiss citizens, regardless of where they live.” Voluntary participation in the old-age pension system is not available for people living outside the European Union. It’s still difficult. “We would welcome it if these rules were relaxed.”
The center has launched two initiatives to change the voluntary old age and survivor insurance system. “Yes, fair public pensions” and “Yes, fair taxation” support couples and call for the abolition of discriminatory standards.assumptionExternal link The opinion of Elisabeth Schneider-Schneiter, member of the Central Chamber of Deputies, is also concerned about Swiss abroad claiming the possibility of continuing to participate in the Swiss health insurance system even after moving abroad.
voting rights
“Swiss abroad make up 9% of the Swiss population. This is the reality in our country and their voice must be heard in direct democracy,” says Marteil.
The center advocates the reintroduction of electronic voting, but makes it clear that “security is a priority over speed.” He says governments should introduce regulations to ensure data protection and security so voters can build trust in the system. “A system is only as good as it is used, and only as good as people trust it.”
The party believes that certain groups, such as Swiss abroad and people with disabilities, should have access to electronic voting first, and supports the idea that the Swiss Post Office should provide an electronic voting system. ing.
Reasonable access to banks
Marteille recognizes that it is not easy for Swiss residents to open a bank account abroad. The party believes that Swiss people should be able to open and access bank accounts on fair terms, no matter where they are in the world.
“Despite Filippo Lombardi’s 2017 motion, External linkAlthough it was rejected, it had a positive effect, in particular by making it possible for the Organization of Swiss Abroad (OSA) to enter into strategic agreements with certain banks,” Marteil explains.
At the time, Lombardi, a former senator and current OSA chairman, wanted to require major banks to allow Swiss expatriates to open bank accounts. Even if some progress is made, the party has not ruled out launching a similar motion.
The center also wants to find a lasting solution to Switzerland’s relationship with the European Union. “We want to continue on the bilateral path that the Swiss people have voted for many times.”
But such bilateral relations should also guarantee wages and social security, he said. “The party is willing to adopt certain parts of European law if it is in Switzerland’s interests.”
Cultural
The center believes that the media is important for Swiss people abroad. “It is essential for forming opinions and exercising political rights. We support this kind of public service,” says Marteille. The same applies to Swiss associations abroad such as SwissNex and Swiss Schools. “If they are in a difficult financial situation, we will look at how we can support them.”
Legislative balance sheet: top
+ Merger Success: Initially, it was unclear whether the merger between the Christian Democratic Party and the Conservative Democratic Party would proceed. In some states the differences between the two parties seemed insurmountable. However, the party leadership managed to push through the merger. The atmosphere inside the party is full of excitement.
+ Ending the downward trend: Over the years, Christian Democrats have lost seats in state elections. But this year, the party won seats in cantons Zurich and Basel Country, giving it more confidence ahead of autumn’s national elections.
+ Chairman of the Parliamentary Research Committee: With Isabelle Chassot, the Center filled a prestigious post that was highly coveted by other parties. She represents the canton of Friborg in the Senate and currently chairs the committee investigating the Credit Suisse collapse. (SRF)
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Legislative balance sheets: a fiasco
– Mediocre performance: Traditionally, the center’s chances of winning the popular vote are high, as the party usually polls on either the far left or far right of the political spectrum. However, with only 70% of the vote, success during the current legislative period has been rather mediocre.
– Lack of unity: Party members often have different opinions and do not vote unitedly. On several occasions, senators overruled decisions of members of their own party in the House of Commons. Most recently, this happened with votes on inflation compensation for state pensions and plans to procure containers for refugee shelters. (SRF)
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Election issues and goals
Fighting health insurance premium increases: The center hopes to control health care costs and stop health insurance premiums from rising through unique cost-control initiatives. The initiative calls on the government, Congress and states to intervene when health care costs get too high.
Fighting the “marriage penalty”: Married people pay higher taxes and receive less national pension per person than unmarried people. With her two initiatives, “Yes, Fair Taxes” and “Yes, Fair National Pensions”, the Center aims to fight injustice and ease the financial burden on couples.
Fight for a safe Switzerland: Against the backdrop of the Ukraine war, the center has refocused its focus on security policy. It opposes the pacifism of the left and the isolationism of the right, and advocates international cooperation in defense policy. (SRF)
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Starting position and prediction
Did the merger produce results? Is 1 and 1 equal to 2 or more? The upcoming national elections are important for the Center as it is the first time the Center will stand for election after the merger. The election will be a test to determine whether the merger was a success. The party should aim to achieve at least the same percentage of votes as its two predecessors, 13.8%.
Improving its standing in the cities: Party leader Gerhard Pfister wants to see the party grow. It will be interesting to see whether the party can expand its influence in urban areas where the Christian Democrats have not been strong so far, and at the same time maintain its share of the electorate in Catholic strongholds such as Upper Valais, Friborg and central Switzerland. By the way.
Protecting the Senate’s stronghold: With 14 seats, the Center is the strongest party in the Senate. The party must defend these seats to maintain its central position in Swiss politics. (Rafael von Matt, SRF)
Edited by Samuel Jaberg. Translated from German by Billi Bierling
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