Comparison of the voting budget
The battle promises to be uneven around the rental value
The owners unlock a record sum of 7 million against the rental value. Faced with them, opponents have only 350,000 francs.
Pirmin Bischof (the center) and Gregor Rutz (UDC) display their agreement.
Keystone
- The association of landowners invests 7 million to abolish the rental value.
- Surveys are currently showing a favorable two -thirds majority.
- Opponents have a modest budget of only 350,000 francs.
- The cantons firmly oppose this controversial tax reform.
For the Association of Real Estate Owners (APF), the vote on September 28 will undoubtedly be the most important in decades. She carries on The abolition of rental valuea central claim. In 1999, 2004 and 2012, projects aimed at eliminating or reducing this tax failed during the votes. This time, the owners hope to succeed.
The campaign benefits from a record budget of 7 million francs, declared to the Federal Finance Control (CDF). On this amount, around 5.8 million come from the national body, the rest of its cantonal sections. As “20 minutes” notes it, this is the highest campaign budget ever announced since the introduction, in 2024, of transparency rules. It is also among the most important ever devoted to a vote.
Massive funds for posters and advertisements
According to the vice -president of the Swiss APF, Brigitte Häberli – Koller, the campaign budget is roughly the annual subscription of the 350,000 members of the association. These 7 million represent the maximum amount available, including the internal contributions of the APF, such as the drafting of articles or argumentation files.
Most of the declared amount is intended for display campaigns and announcements. The APF intends to adapt its strategy according to the evolution of the voting campaign. “In the end, the whole budget may not be used,” says Brigitte Häberli-Koller.
According to a first Tamedia surveysupporters currently have a comfortable lead with a majority of two thirds. It is therefore possible that they do not have to deploy so much effort. But Brigitte Häberli-Koller, also a state counselor for the center, warns against any excess of confidence. During public demonstrations, she still observes a strong distrust of the population with regard to the project. According to her, many aspects remain to be clarified, especially since the vote relates only to the constitutional framework of the new tax on second homes.
A budget opposing limited to 350,000 francs
Opponents have a very modest budget of 350,000 francs. About 190,000 francs come from the PS, while the umbrella association of the economy of renewable energies and energy efficiency contributes to around 166,000 francs.
On the other hand, the Swiss Association of Tenants (ASLOCA) does not make any financial contribution. Although she decided to vote no, she only has a very limited budget. “We will intervene on the project via social networks,” says vice -president Michael Töngi.
The deletion of the rental value benefits the owners who have reimbursed a large part of their mortgage.
Beat Mathys/Tamedia
ASLOCA must concentrate its limited financial means on the current initiative concerning the rents, for which signatures are still collected. It must also put aside funds for a possible referendum against a relaxation of the rent increases based on location and the neighborhood.
According to Michael Töngi, it is mainly the cantonal finance officials who are asked on the side of the opponents. The cantons reject the abolition of the rental value tax as well as the tax on second homes, which they could establish to compensate for tax losses, underlines Michael Töngi. “Seeing a right-wing finance director contradicts right-wing representatives of the Swiss APF on a set benefits more at the opponent’s camp than a classic left-right,” he explains.
A significant but relative budget
For the expert in political questions Michael Hermann, the important budget of the APF remains relative. “Compared to the billions of francs that the abolition of the rental value relates to the owners, it is actually little money,” he said. However, this high campaign budget still gives an advantage to supporters. “Especially since there is a general sympathy in the population for the abolition of the rental value, which is enough to strengthen.”
On the other hand, explain the problematic side effects Deletion is much more complex, explains Michael Hermann. In this context, it would be all the more important for opponents to have a considerable budget. However, ASLOCA has long been behind. She showed a certain sympathy for the abolition of the rental value and lacked the opportunity to launch a financially solid campaign.
Translated from German by Elisa Andrade.
“Latest news”
Do you want to stay at the top of the info? “24 hours” offers you two meetings a day, not to miss anything of what is happening in your canton, in Switzerland or in the world.
Other newsletters
Did you find an error? Please report it to us.
