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The people of Aargau have rejected greater climate protection in the Energy Law. This gives the SVP hope in fighting the new CO₂ law and is a warning to climate activists.
Homeowners in Aargau should have built more solar systems, but the Energy Law was narrowly rejected.
Photo: Gaëtan Bally (Keystone)
The SVP can still win. Unlike the national level, had a hit on Sunday in the canton of Aargau. Aargau voters rejected the cantonal energy law with 50.9 percent in a referendum – and thus a bouquet of measures with which the government and parliament wanted to implement the federal energy strategy 2050 and therefore a stricter climate policy in buildings. Then i would have among other things Homeowners will have to replace electricity-intensive electric boilers with a better solution within 15 years and will have to cover part of their own electricity consumption for new buildings, for example with a solar system.
The verdict of the people is remarkable for several reasons. On the one hand, the Greens and the Liberal Greens have risen dramatically in the 2019 elections, also in the canton of Aargau. reis at least felt zeitgeist is: green. On the other hand, the SVP, second only to the homeowners’ association, had to compete against a broad alliance of the left-wing FDP, including the trade association. After all, the revised energy law was not a radical solution, there was no oil heating ban, but a compromise. Red-Green had tried in vain in parliament to toughen the bill.
«A broad alliance can hold a referendum against COtwo-The law wins. “
Aargau’s decision is reflected in the Federal Palace – and causes nervousness there. A stress test for climate policy at the national level is also pending: Parliament passed the CO last weektwo– Law passed with which Switzerland aims to halve its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030; People should also have the last word here.
National Councilor SVP Benjamin Giezendanner is “very satisfied” with the signal from his canton of origin. “A broad alliance can lead to a possible referendum against COtwo-The law wins. “In Aargau, only the SVP and the house owners have joined. But with the COtwo-Giezendanner is convinced that even more circles will be involved. “In particular, the national law not only affects homeowners, but also broad circles of tenants, drivers and consumers.”
Aargauer comes for party partner Christian Imark Verdict it is not surprising. Refers to other cantons where the electorate cantonal energy laws further has ruled out. In 2018, for example, the Solothurners did this en masse, the Bernese a year later – and under the influence of global climate protests – spretty close. However, there are also counterexamples, such as Lucerne. For the Solothurn National Council, however, it is clear: the population and the economy are quite sensitive to environmental problems and are willing to invest in new technologies. “But they reject driving style solutions.”
Parallel to climate youth
Will dhow Do Swiss voters approve of an increase in the price of gasoline and diesel of up to 12 cents per liter? Will it also swallow higher prices for fossil fuels, accept a tax on plane tickets and a ban on near-oil heating starting in 2023 and 2026, respectively? They are key points of the new template – and controversial.
northafter Aargau’s decision because even Much is said about the “great effort” that will be necessary to get the voters of the COtwo– Law to convince. «Otherwise It is risk of falling»says Aargau National Councilor Matthias Jauslin (PDF). Defenders of the law want to counter this with clear messages: everyone can contribute to significantly reducing Switzerland’s ecological footprint. Business models based on a fossil-free energy policy offer financial opportunities. Energy efficient renovations also pay for themselves in your own pocket. Incentive taxes ensure that climate-friendly behavior is financially rewarded.
Will that be enough? The question will be even more pressing whether the so-called climate youth should really take the referendum against the bill. There is also a parallel here with the Aargau vote. For certain green circles, says Aargau National Councilor Beat Flach (GLP), the Aargau solution was too little. “To them, the relatively compliant energy law after the climate strikes and the 2019 climate elections seemed out of time.” The result: more than 8,000 blank ballots. For classification. At the end of the day, the no-camp received 4,000 more votes.
SVP does not take the initiative
Of course, it is still unclear whether the most active climate leaders will take the referendum. In general, it seems that all criticism of COtwo-Despite the law, no one has advanced yet. In any case, the SVP will not take the initiative in the referendum, as Imark says. “We will certainly support trade associations with all our might.” Who will take the initiative is still open. Of the Trade association, Auto Switzerland and of the The homeowners association has yet to be decided, and Economiesuisse is waiting too.
The cotwo-Geetz is expected to be published in the Federal Gazette on October 6. Then the referendum period begins. The opponents would havemen so still until January 14 2021 Time, 50‘Collect 000 valid signatures.
