Elections 2019: Disillusionment for garage owners
CHALLENGE The election result is disappointing for Swiss garage owners. The clarity of the results for the green parties and the deselection of two trade politicians has surprised the AGVS. The SVP lost 3.8 percent, the FDP 1.3 percent and the CVP 0.3 percent. At the same time, the Greens gained 6.1 percent and the GLP 3.2 percent. AGVS Central President [...]
The SVP lost 3.8 percent, the FDP 1.3 percent and the CVP 0.3 percent. At the same time, the Greens gain 6.1 percent and the GLP 3.2 percent.
AGVS Central President Urs Wernli: "I am disappointed. I didn't expect the Greens to make such a strong gain. I also thought that the FDP would maintain its share of voters and the SVP would only lose slightly."
Focus remains on environmental issues
The representatives of the Swiss Trade Association are also among the losers: both Association President Jean-François Rime (SVP, Fribourg) and Director Hans-Ulrich Bigler (FDP, Zurich) missed re-election. In general, the AGVS Central President fears that CO2 issues will be even more in focus in the coming legislature.
Urs Wernli: "The Greens will try to carry the climate momentum. CO2 reduction will be demanded even faster and higher and Switzerland will adopt the European line."
Expansion of infrastructure is important
He therefore called for a climate policy with a sense of proportion.
Urs Wernli: "It is important to us that the previous decisions are adhered to. The expansion of infrastructure must not be neglected and Switzerland must retain its innovative strength."
Wernli also opposes the distribution of unnecessary subsidies, which are ultimately paid for by the citizens. In this way, the middle class is being bled dry - and with it the garage owners.
No re-election despite 102,000 votes
The AGVS supported several candidates in their election or re-election. While most of the existing candidates were re-elected, only Benjamin Giezendanner (SVP, Aargau) made it into parliament.
Urs Wernli: "However, many could achieve a nice result, but failed due to the circumstances or starting position."
For example, Jacqueline Hofer and René Truninger (both SVP) did not make it into the election in the canton of Zurich despite receiving around 102,000 votes.
Chance in the elections to the Council of States
In the elections to the Council of States, however, the AGVS can still hope. Thierry Burkart (FDP, Aargau), for example, just missed the absolute majority. Daniela Schneeberger (FDP, Basel-Landschaft), on the other hand, is likely to be in a tight race. After the first round of voting, she is only just ahead of the representatives of the Greens and SP.
However, the deselection of Jean-François Rime and Hans-Ulrich Bigler could still give the vice president of the trade association a decisive boost.
