2023-04-19 20:30:03
It was the final debate before the vote of the people of Geneva, who will determine the composition of their Council of State during the second round of the election, on April 30. In two parts, each comprising five candidates, Léman Bleu and The weather Wednesday evening tested their public speaking, their program, and tried to point out their weaknesses and contradictions. First with a brief free introduction, more or less eloquent. Then, answers to specific questions. And finally, candidates who challenge each other. To spin the footballing metaphor, the match ended in a draw. No candidate distinguished himself by a superior mastery of the exercise, but none was really left behind.
Our follow-up: Geneva cantonal elections: relive the decisive debate of the finalists at the Council of State
On the polarizing subject of mobility, the representatives of the right, Delphine Bachmann (Centre), Anne Hiltpold (PLR) and Pierre Maudet (Freedoms and social justice) contorted. Yes, the climate and noise pollution are important. Of course we have to develop soft mobility and public transport. But no physical conclusion has been drawn as to the underlying need to limit car transport, as public space is limited. On the left, everything was simpler for Thierry Apothéloz and Fabienne Fischer, the latter qualifying the sound-absorbing coating as “a plaster on a wooden leg”, a technological solution which does not attack the causes.
Read also: Serge Dal Busco: “In Geneva, the slightest proposal on mobility becomes a huge political problem”
Cleavage on the public fund
In the field of health, the game began around the public health fund project, defended by Pierre Maudet, in the name of cost transparency. It would be for him a pilot experience allowing to initiate a national movement. “It’s putting a dolphin in a pool of sharks,” said State Councilor Thierry Apothéloz. As the canton is not authorized to create a single fund, this institution would be added to the others, with the disadvantage of attracting all the bad risks for an exorbitant cost.
This is also why Delphine Bachmann prefers a cantonal compensation fund, which would set the amount of premiums and oversee private insurance by redistributing funds to them according to actual costs. “Competition then takes place only on administrative costs and the objective of transparency is achieved.” Anne Hiltpold replied with a sophistry, believing that it is useless to try without having the demonstration that such a system would reduce health costs.
Read also: Public fund: the lark mirror
The PLR has shown itself to be much more comfortable in the real estate field, pleading for more free rents and properties per floor in the future Praille-Aacacias-Vernets district. “The rental share amounts to 88%, of which 62% is social housing”, she specifies, indicating that such a proportion prevents many Genevans from accessing property at a reasonable price. Delphine Bachmann agrees, adding that the housing crisis requires the densification of the city. While in opposition, Pierre Maudet sees only “the immobility which is prolonged”, with left-right conflicts, while it is enough to convert offices into housing. A measure that the other candidates considered insufficient. For her part, Fabienne Fischer proposed more cooperatives, as many Zurich does, “the best way to respond to the main problem”, the rise in rents.
Trust in the state
A subject made everyone agree: the governance of the State and the lessons to be drawn from the scandal of the abuses that occurred at the home for minors of Mancy. What to do in the face of this serious crisis of confidence? Last arrival at the Council of State, Fabienne Fischer first awkwardly shared her shock on arriving at the State, then insisted on the need to listen to employees. Titillated on management style, Pierre Maudet took the opportunity to specify that his “departure had obviously not solved everything”. Listening to specialists for Anne Hiltpold and fostering trust for Delphine Bachmann. A method that Thierry Apothéloz says he applies daily, and too bad for those who call him a “consultator”.
The hour of spades between candidates, cow questions, did not really put the arrested in difficulty. In particular because the concerns have focused a lot on federal objects over which it was easy to declare oneself incompetent. Pierre Maudet was carefully ignored during this exercise. The former State Councilor responded by attacking Fabienne Fischer on the airport and Delphine Bachmann on this alliance “of circumstance” of the right which did not want him.
1681942477
#tense #final #debate #set #candidates #Geneva #Council #State