Swiss SMEs push for policy changes in historic Federal Palace gathering
Entrepreneurs and politicians have gathered in the Federal Palace to address the needs of Switzerland's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The event, initiated by Andri Silberschmidt, aims to create a recurring SME Parliament every two years. Peter Fischer, a sixth-generation metalworking business owner, is among the 46 entrepreneurs drafting policy proposals.
Fischer, who also serves as the president of the Swiss SME association, proposed raising the value-added tax (VAT) to fund the pension system (AHV) and the military. He argues that politicians are not doing enough to ease the regulatory burden on SMEs and advocates for cutting red tape.
The event, however, sparked differing views among parliamentarians. Céline Widmer, a Social Democratic National Councilor from Zurich, welcomes the direct engagement of business representatives but disputes the notion that SMEs lack a voice in parliament. She believes that the SME parliamentary group, although not publicly listing its members, is actively involved in drafting proposals to support SMEs.
The SME Parliament, a new initiative, aims to provide a recurring platform for entrepreneurs to engage with parliamentarians and draft policy proposals. While opinions differ on the necessity and impact of such an event, it is clear that SMEs are a significant part of Switzerland's economy, and their concerns are being brought directly to the Federal Palace.
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