Esther Friedli: SVP Financial Policy Between Savings Goals and Security Spending

Summary

Esther Friedli, financial policy politician for the SVP in the Council of States, defends her party's blockade against cuts in agriculture and criticizes the watered-down austerity program of the Federal Council. She insists on a clear defense strategy before approving further military spending and categorically rejects relaxing the debt brake. Also in focus is the controversial SVP initiative to limit Switzerland's population to 10 million people.

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Detailed Summary

The broadcast "Samstagsrundschau" with Dominik Meier addresses the austerity program of the Federal Council that was cut by the Council of States, with the SVP playing a central role in blocking savings targets. Esther Friedli argues that fundamental spending problems exist at the federal level, but the austerity program was unrealistically cut and now there are hardly any funds available for the planned army modernization and the 13th AHV pension.

A central point of contention is agricultural policy. Friedli stubbornly defends the rejection of cuts in this sector. She argues that agriculture has remained stagnant in real terms over the last 20 years, while the federal budget has grown by 40 billion francs. With an average hourly wage of 17 francs, she describes the situation of farm families as precarious. She points to massively increased requirements – whether in environmental matters or animal welfare – and emphasizes that a self-sufficiency rate of only 42 percent in Switzerland is alarming.

Meier counters with statistics: the income of farmers has risen by 30 percent in ten years, satisfaction has demonstrably grown. Friedli retorts that this increase must be seen in context – the hourly wage of 17 francs is internationally incomparably low, and the comparison to GDP growth (nearly 25 percent) shows proportional growth.

Regarding army modernization, Friedli takes a differentiated position. She does not unconditionally support Defense Minister Martin Pfister in his demand for 1.3 billion francs for all 36 F-35 fighter jets. She first demands a clear strategy and reorganization within the Defense Department (VBS), as she sees a "bloated bureaucracy" with a lack of connection to actual defense capability. She criticizes past failed arms deals and emphasizes that seriousness is decisive.

An interesting point: there are also different positions within the SVP. Werner Salzmann, an SVP colleague in the Council of States, insists on immediate rearmament without preconditions. Friedli explains that particularly women in the SVP sometimes think differently – less militaristic, but no less security-oriented. She sees neutrality and good services (mediation, humanitarian aid) as Switzerland's most cost-effective security contribution.

On the financing question, Friedli expresses herself unequivocally: loosening the debt brake is out of the question for her – it is "one of the most important fiscal policy instruments" for stability and prosperity. She rejects a value-added tax increase as "very unsocial" because it reduces purchasing power and particularly affects the lower classes. She insists on other savings opportunities, particularly in development aid (where she wants to save 400 million) and in the asylum area.

An SRG election barometer shows: only 14 percent of SVP voters name national defense as the most important political challenge – significantly fewer than among FDP and Centre voters. Friedli hints that value-added tax increases for armament have no chance with the grassroots, which is why "other solutions" are needed.

On the controversial EU contract package: Friedli downplays the "separatism statements" from Ueli Maurer and Toni Brunner. They did not really want to split, but to point out the drastic consequences – EU law would be directly adopted, political rights restricted. She criticizes that certain circles portray the contract package as a "normal further development," even though it would have significant implications.

On personal questions, Friedli shows herself to be open: when asked about thriftiness (1–10 scale), she answers with "seven" and emphasizes that emergency reserves are important. On the CVP legacy she gives "4–5" – family and family policy are central. To the question "How feminist?" she answers "two" and distances herself from "left feminism," but advocates strict equality and zero tolerance for unequal treatment of female and male migrants.

Regarding her marriage to Toni Brunner, she shows no fatigue (answers with "zero" to the annoyance question). She emphasizes that she defines herself as an independent politician with a different style, but is proud of Brunner's political legacy.

The SVP initiative to limit Switzerland's population to 10 million is widely discussed. Friedli argues that the earlier mass immigration initiative (2014) was not implemented by parliament – since then 800,000 more people have come to Switzerland, over 80,000 last year. She describes the growth as unsustainable and compares annual immigration to the size of cities like St. Gallen or Lucerne.

The new concept envisages a cascade system: from 9.5 million, measures must take effect – first in asylum policy and family reunification, then in other areas. Termination of free movement of persons would be the "very last resort." Friedli criticizes the counter-proposals offered by Centre and FDP (immigration tax, earlier measures without an upper limit) as insufficient. She wants binding commitments and fears that a counter-proposal would once again not be implemented.

She emphasizes that Switzerland has grown 18 times faster than Germany and 6.5 times faster than Italy – a demographic pace that "simply cannot continue." Unemployment figures show: with a foreign population share of 25.5%, over 72,000 foreigners are unemployed compared to 65,000 Swiss citizens.

Key Statements

• The Council of States has cut the Federal Council's austerity program by a third; there is a threat of a billion-franc shortfall if other solutions do not follow quickly.

• The SVP blocked cuts to agriculture with the argument that this sector has remained stagnant in real terms over 20 years, while the federal budget has grown by 40 billion.

• Agriculture is under extreme pressure: average hourly wage of 17 francs, seven days a week, increased environmental and animal welfare requirements, self-sufficiency rate only 42 percent.

• Friedli demands a clear defense strategy before further billions for rearmament; she criticizes lack of seriousness at the VBS and past arms debacles.

• The debt brake is non-negotiable for her – a central stability instrument; she rejects a value-added tax increase as unsocial.

• Austerity measures should primarily target development aid (400 million to be cut) and the asylum area; only 14 percent of SVP voters see army modernization as the most important task.

• Women's policy ("Feminism: 2/10"): She distances herself from left feminism but advocates strict equality and zero tolerance for unequal treatment in migration.

• SVP 10-million initiative in focus: Switzerland is growing 18 times faster than Germany; 800,000 people have been added since the mass immigration initiative in 2014; she rejects counter-proposals – she wants binding commitments rather than another failure to implement.

• Unemployment rate of foreigners sometimes higher than that of Swiss citizens despite a smaller cohort – points to unresolved integration problems.

• Within SVP: women (like Friedli) see security differently than men (Werner Salzmann) – less militaristic, more focused on neutrality and good services.

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