14.04.11
Negating the EU assures electoral defeat
young european swiss | yes is concerned by the electoral success of Lega dei Ticinesi, but even more by the non-existing debate on Europe in the cantonal elec- tions in Ticino. Yes is convinced that political parties who avoid the “Europe issue” will lose substantially in the upcoming federal elections. Hence, yes urges all parties to participate in a frank, realist and sustainable debate on Europe for the better of our country and to counter populist rhetoric with constructive arguments.
Lega dei Ticinesi won a historical victory in cantonal elections in 2011 and became the se- cond largest group in the cantonal parliament. At the same time, it got elected two members into the cantonal government. Its gains primarily materialised at the expenses of the two centrist parties, the liberals as well as the Christian-democrats.
young european swiss | yes is concerned by this result. Not only does this victory of Lega mean a strengthening of the national-conservative, anti-European camp in the southern most canton of Switzerland. It is, at the same time, a reminder that negative, populist and hateful campaigning against any form of political cooperation across the border (in this case, Italy) may serve well in order to win cantonal elections. This observation bodes ill for the upcoming federal elections in autumn 2011, in which mobilisation occurs through nega- tive campaigning too.
Therefore, yes asks all political actors in Switzerland to draw the necessary conclusions oft he Ticino vote. A sequel on national level in autumn is purely unbearable for Switzerland.
Concretly, yes demands all governing parties:
- The EU-Swiss relations must be a central campaign topic
- Parties shall communicate honestly, propose concretely their policy options in EU- Swiss relations, outline the costs of their options (incl. status quo)
- Parties shall counter the populist anti-EU rhetoric of certain actors with offensive, fac- tual and constructive policy proposals
Yes is convinced that political parties who avoid the “Europe issue” will lose substantially in the upcoming federal elections. A non-debate on Europe will only accelerate the annihilation of centrist parties. Hence, a serious debate is needed in order to face the partners in Eu- rope with confidence.
Yes is therefore open to cooperate with all political forces, especially political youth organi- sations, igniting a lively, honest and sustainable debate on the relations to Europe for the good of the country. Only such a public discussion offers citizens to build an opinion on the different “Europe options” of Switzerland and to decide which approach offers the best chances for success in the attempt to defend Switzerland’s interests in the future.
For further questions, please do not hesitate contacting
Sabrina Würmli, secretary general yes
sabrina@y-e-s.ch / 079 723 03 31
www.y-e-s.ch