Ursin Widmer
Die Mitte | 13.04
Welfare state & family
Raise the retirement age to 67
Do you support an increase in the retirement age (e.g., to 67)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Health insurance premiums
Should the federal government allocate more funding for health insurance premium subsidies?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Pensions for married couples
For married couples, the pension is currently limited to 150% of the maximum individual AHV pension (capping). Should this limit be eliminated?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Diese Abschaffung fordert Die Mitte mit ihrer Initiative „Für faire Renten“.
Reduce LPP pensions
As part of the reform of the BVG (occupational pension plan), pensions are to be reduced (lowering the minimum conversion rate from 6.8% to 6%). Are you in favor of this measure?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Mit der Änderung des Bundesgesetzes über die Alters-, Hinterlassenen- und Invalidenvorsorge (BVG) ist eine Senkung des Umwandlungssatzes vorgesehen, um die Umverteilung von Jung zu Alt zu reduzieren. Ebenfalls soll die Eintrittsschwelle gesenkt werden. Das Volk wird schliesslich in einer Abstimmung darüber befinden können.
Extend parental leave
Should paid parental leave be increased beyond today's 14 weeks of maternity leave and two weeks of paternity leave? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Further encourage the construction of social housing
Should the federal government provide more financial support for public housing construction? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Der Fonds de Roulement ist ein wichtiges Mittel für den Bund, gemeinnützigen Wohnungsbau zu fördern. Der Fonds wurde 2020 um 250 Millionen aufgestockt.
Health
Introduce compulsory vaccination for children
Should compulsory vaccination of children be introduced based on the Swiss vaccination plan?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Introduce a tax on sugary foods
Are you in favor of the introduction of a tax on foods containing sugar (sugar tax)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Contribution to healthcare costs
Should insured persons contribute more to health care costs (e.g., increase the minimum deductible)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Limit the powers of the Federal Council in the event of a pandemic
Should the Federal Council's ability to restrict private and economic life in the event of a pandemic be more limited?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Federal competence for national hospital planning
Should the federal government be given the authority to determine the hospital offering (national hospital planning with regard to locations and range of services)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Die Gesundheitsversorgung ist in der Kompetenz der Kantone.
Education
Inclusive schooling
According to the Swiss integrated schooling concept, children with learning difficulties or disabilities should be taught in regular classes. Do you approve of this concept?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Die Integration ist grundsätzlich begrüssenswert. Die Erfahrung zeigt aber, dass die Umsetzung grosse Schwierigkeiten bereitet.
Tighten the requirements for obtaining a high school diploma
Should the federal government raise the requirements for the gymnasiale matura?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Es ist wichtig, dass auch die Berufsbildung stark berücksichtigt wird und attraktiv bleibt.
Equal opportunities in education
Should the state be more committed to equal educational opportunities (e.g., through subsidized remedial courses for students from low-income families)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Immigration & integration
Make naturalization requirements more flexible
Should the conditions for naturalization be relaxed (e.g., shorter residence period)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Increase the quota of third-country nationals for skilled workers
Should more qualified workers from non-EU/EFTA countries be allowed to work in Switzerland (increase third-country quota)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Asylum procedures outside Europe
Do you support efforts to house asylum seekers in centers outside Europe during the asylum procedure?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Voting rights for foreigners
Should foreign nationals who have lived in Switzerland for at least ten years be granted the right to vote and stand for election at the municipal level?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Autonomie der Gemeinden
Society & ethics
Legalize cannabis use
Should cannabis use be legalized? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Authorize active euthanasia
Would you be in favour of doctors being allowed to administer direct active euthanasia in Switzerland?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Introdurre un terzo sesso ufficiale
Should a third official gender be introduced alongside "female" and "male"?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Equality between same-sex and heterosexual couples
Do you think it's right for same-sex couples to have the same rights as heterosexual couples in all areas?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Finances & taxes
Reduce taxes at the federal level
Do you support tax cuts at the federal level over the next four years?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Der Bund ist mit finanziellen Herausforderungen beispielsweise im Bereich der Kinderbetreuung konfrontiert.
Tax married couples individually
Should married couples be taxed separately (individual taxation)? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Die Mitte hat die Volksinitiative „Ja zu fairen Steuern" lanciert. Mit der alternativen Steuerberechnung müssten verheiratete Paare weiterhin nur eine Steuererklärung einreichen.
Introduce a national inheritance tax
Would you support the introduction of a national inheritance tax on all inheritances over one million Swiss francs? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Strengthen financial equalization between the cantons
Should the differences between cantons with high and low financial capacity be further reduced through fiscal equalization?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Economy & labour
Introduce a national minimum wage of CHF 4,000
Are you in favor of introducing a minimum wage of CHF 4,000 for all full-time employees?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Regulate the financial sector more strictly
Do you support stricter regulations for the financial sector (e.g., stricter capital requirements for banks, ban on bonuses)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Liberalizzare completamente il mercato dell'elettricità
Should private households be free to choose their electricity supplier (complete liberalization of the electricity market)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Eine vollständige Liberalisierung birgt die Gefahr, dass günstiger Strom aus dem Ausland (beispielsweise Kohlestrom) zum Problem für einheimischen Strom (beispielsweise aus der Wasserkraft) werden könnte.
Make housing construction regulations more flexible
Should housing construction regulations be relaxed (e.g., noise protection, occupancy rates)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Wage equality between women and men
Are you in favor of stricter controls on equal pay for women and men?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Energy & transport
Restructure heavily trafficked sections of the highway
Should busy sections of highways be widened?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Das Ziel muss die vermehrte Verlagerung von der Strasse auf die Schiene sein.
Ban new registrations of combustion engine vehicles from 2035
Should Switzerland ban the registration of new passenger cars with internal combustion engines starting in 2035?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Es zeichnet sich ab, dass viele Automobilhersteller selbst bis 2035 keine Personenwagen mit Verbrennungsmotoren mehr produzieren.
Achieve climate targets through incentives
To achieve climate targets, should incentives and target agreements be relied on exclusively, rather than bans and restrictions?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Das Klimaschutzgesetz, welches am 18. Juni 2023 angenommen worden ist, setzt auf Anreize und Zielvereinbarungen. Weitere Massnahmen sind dann sinnvoll und nötig, wenn die Klimaziele verfehlt werden.
Make the rules for renewable energy less strict
Do you think it's fair that environmental and landscape protection rules are being relaxed to allow for the development of renewable energy?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Authorize the construction of new nuclear power plants
Should the construction of new nuclear power plants in Switzerland be allowed again?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Ensure a comprehensive range of public services
Should the state guarantee a comprehensive public service offering also in rural regions?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Introduce progressive electricity tariffs
Would you be in favor of the introduction of increasing electricity tariffs when consumption is higher (progressive electricity tariffs)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Nature conservation
Making provisions for the protection of large predators more flexible
Are you in favor of further relaxing the protection regulations for large predators (lynx, wolf, bear)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Direct payments for farms
Should direct payments only be granted to farmers with proof of ecological performance?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Die Anforderungen sind schon heute hoch.
Introduction of stricter rules on the protection of farm animals
Are you in favour of stricter animal welfare regulations for livestock (e.g. permanent access to outdoor areas)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Die Schweiz hat schon heute ein sehr strenges Tierschutzgesetz.
National territory available for biodiversity conservation
Should 30% of Switzerland's land area be dedicated to preserving biodiversity? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Ban on single-use plastics
Would you support a ban on single-use plastic and non-recyclable plastics? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Das Littering ist ein grosses Problem für Natur und Landwirtschaft.
More sustainable use of electronic devices
Are you in favour of government measures to make the use of electronic devices more sustainable (e.g., right to repair, extension of warranty period, minimum guaranteed period for software updates)? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Democracy, Media & Digitization
Mobile phone network (5G)
Should the Swiss mobile network be equipped throughout the country with the latest technology (currently 5G standard)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Digitizing public services
Should the federal government be given additional powers in the area of digitization of government services in order to be able to impose binding directives and standards on the cantons?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Digitale Projekte wie zum Beispiel E-Voting müssen national umgesetzt werden. 26 einzelne Lösungen der Kantone wären ineffizient.
Strengthening regulation of big internet platforms
Are you in favor of stronger regulation of the major Internet platforms (i.e., transparency rules on algorithms, increased liability for content, combating disinformation)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Lowering TV and radio license fees
A popular initiative aims to reduce television and radio fees (CHF 200 per household, exemption for businesses). Do you support this initiative?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Der mediale Service public sollte nicht gefährdet werden.
Lowering the voting age to 16
Are you in favour of lowering the voting age to 16?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Introducing an optional financial referendum against federal spending
Should it be possible to hold a referendum on federal spending above a certain amount (optional financial referendum)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Security & military
Increasing the size of the army to at least 120,000 soldiers
Are you in favor of expanding the army's target number of soldiers to at least 120,000?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Strengthening cooperation between the Swiss army and NATO
Should the Swiss Armed Forces expand their cooperation with NATO?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Re-export of Swiss weapons
Should the Federal Council be allowed to authorize other states to re-export Swiss weapons in cases of a war of aggression in violation of international law (e.g., the attack on Ukraine)? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Scumonda da visar automaticamain la fatscha en locals publics
Should automatic facial recognition be banned in public spaces?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Denounce the Schengen Agreement and strengthen border controls
Should Switzerland terminate the Schengen agreement with the EU and reintroduce more security checks directly on the border? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Foreign trade & foreign policy
Seek closer relations with the EU
Are you in favor of closer relations with the European Union (EU)?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Die guten bilateralen Beziehungen mit der EU müssen weitergeführt werden.
Seek a comprehensive free trade agreement with the United States
Should Switzerland strive for a comprehensive free trade agreement (including agriculture) with the USA?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Ein allfälliges Freihandelsabkommen sollte auf Bereiche wie Maschinenindustrie, Pharmaindustrie etc. abzielen.
Comply with social and environmental standards
Should Swiss companies be obliged to ensure that their subsidiaries and suppliers operating abroad comply with social and environmental standards?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Terminate bilateral agreements with the EU
Should Switzerland terminate the Bilateral Agreements with the EU and seek a free trade agreement without the free movement of persons?
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Return to a strict interpretation of neutrality
Should Switzerland return to a strict interpretation of neutrality (renounce economic sanctions to a large extent)? [BePart question]
| No | Rather no | Rather yes | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
Values
Security measures taken by the state
What is your position the following statement: "Someone who is not guilty, has nothing to fear from state security measures."
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Free market economy
What is your position the following statement: "In the long term, everyone benefits from a free market economy in the long term."
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Compensate for differences in income and wealth
What is your position the following statement: "It is necessary for the State to balance out differences in income and wealth through redistribution".
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Parent stays at home full time
What is your position the following statement: "It is best for a child, when one parent stays home full-time for childcare."
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Digitization offers more opportunities than risks
What is your position the following statement: "The ongoing digitalization offers significantly more opportunities than risks."
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Punish criminals
What is your position the following statement: "Punishing criminals is more important than reintegrating them into society."
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Stronger environmental protection
What is your position the following statement: "Stronger environmental protection is necessary, even if its application limits economic growth."
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Federal budget
Social protection: spend more/less
Should the federal government spend more or less in the area of "Social services"?
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Den Initiativen der Mitte „Für faire Steuern“ und „Für faire Renten“ entsprechend
Education and research: spend more/less
Should the federal government spend more or less in the area of "Education and research"?
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Agriculture: spend more/less
Should the federal government spend more or less in the area of "Agriculture"?
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Public transportation: spend more/less
Should the federal government spend more or less in the area of "Public transport"?
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Road traffic (private motorized transport): spend more/less
Should the federal government spend more or less in the area of "Road traffic (motorised individual transport)"?
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Public safety: spend more/less
Should the federal government spend more or less in the area of "Public security"?
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
National defense: spend more/less
Should the federal government spend more or less in the area of "National defence"?
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Cybersicherheit
Development cooperation: spend more/less
Should the federal government spend more or less in the area of "Development assistance"?
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Comment
Die Mitte hat die Problematik der steigenden Gesundheitskosten erkannt. Mit der Kostenbremse-Initiative sollen die Gesundheitskosten nicht stärker steigen als die Löhne, Tarife und Medikamentenpreise gesenkt, die Pflegeinitiative rasch umgesetzt und die Chancen der Digitalisierung im Gesundheitswesen konsequenter genutzt werden.