The Scots may be feverishly waiting for September 18 but in Luzern it’s the referendum on September 28 which is getting everyone hot under the collar.
3 subjects are under scrutiny one on the local level and two one the national level.
Initiative zur Rettung der ZHB Luzern
On the local level the decision is being made whether the current library building in the Vögeligarten area should be renovated or torn down. In December 2012 the Lucerne Cantonal Parliament approved the tearing down of the current library to be replaced by a larger building which would house both the library and the canton’s court of law. The Green Party is opposed to this idea and launched the initiative to “Save the Library”, this would entail classifying the building as a historical monument and call for its renovation. The people behind the initiative want to preserve not only the building but also the green area around it, arguing that it is of great value for the neighborhood. All the parties with the exception of the SVP are supporting this initiative as is the town. If the initiative is passed this means that only renovations will be allowed.
On the national level two intiatives are causing much excitement.
Schluss mit der MwSt-Diskriminierung des Gastgewerbes
The first one concerns the different V.A.T percentages being applied for food. Launched by the restaurant industry who are irked that a bratwurst bought in a restaurant has a V.A.T. of 8% whilst one bought at a take away only has one of 2.5%, the suggestion is that a flat rate (the government says it would be 3.8%) be applied across the board. Although this may sound like an absurd situation when we consider that in neighboring countries the V.A.T. can go up to 20% it does in fact have quite an impact. In fact should this come into play the government would lose 750 million francs in income which in turn would impact on how much money the AHV and IV would give out. Which is why the government is recommending that the initiative be refused. The SVP, BDP, CVP and FDP are arguing for this initiative to be passed.
Für eine öffentliche Krankenkasse
The second initiative concerns health insurance companies. Every person who lives in Switzerland is obligated to have basic private medical coverage, currently there are 61 different health insurance companies who compete with one another. The suggestion is that there would be one government run basic health insurance which would be run at cantonal level in charge of controlling the local premium rates. The Swiss Federal Council and the parliament are opposed to this initiative. Should this initiative be passed the canton would control the cost of the premium and people would not be allowed to change insurances, as there would be only one. They argue that transferring 61 insurance companies into one would be costly and not cost effective. The people supporting the initiative are arguing that insurances are more interested in making a profit than helping patients and doctors argue that having to deal with 61 insurance companies is a logistical nightmare.
Photograph by Sabrina Vercueil
