The latest polls leave no room for doubt: if you vote tomorrow, the big winners at the national level would be the Green-Liberals, who according to the latest electoral barometer of the SSR would exceed 10% of the preferences for the first time, thus getting closer and closer to the their beloved-hated Green cousins. A trend also confirmed by the outcome of practically all the cantonal elections held so far in this legislature, which has seen the party growing everywhere.
Among the architects of this success is the president Jürg Grossen. Bernese, soon 53. years old, married and father of three children, by profession he could only be the installer and planner of electrical systems, obviously “green”. He decided to engage in politics relatively late, only in 2008 and immediately for the Green-Liberal Party, and since then he has not ceased to reap success: he was elected to the National Council only three years later, in 2011, in 2016 he was appointed vice president of the party and the following year president. In his first federal election, in 2019, the Green-Liberals grew by more than 3 percentage points, to 7,8%, and gained 9 seats. And it seems not over yet ...
How does Jürg Grossen explain this success?
«The success of the Green-Liberals is based on our clear and progressive positions, especially on the issues of environmental / climate protection, Europe and the society of the future. They are based on the belief that effective climate and environmental protection can be optimally combined with a prosperous economy. A liberal social policy completes our party's program ».
In Ticino, on the other hand, your party is still little known. How do you explain it?
“In the Bernese Oberland, where I live, we have experienced the same situation for many years. Over time, however, we have reached a significant percentage of voters, and now more and more citizens support green-liberal policies. I am convinced that this will also happen soon in Ticino ».
You are green and you are liberal, that is, you try to combine ecology with the economy. Is it really possible?
«Of course it is possible. It is imperative to combine ecology with economics for humanity to continue to thrive. We Green Liberals are committed to Switzerland taking a pioneering role and showing concretely how this can be done. Energy consumption and CO2 emissions have decreased in Switzerland over the past decade, even though the economy and population have grown strongly. This shows that the environment and the economy can coexist ”.
Is the market ready to accept change?
"Yup. Numerous nationally and internationally known companies have voluntarily committed to reaching the zero-growth target for greenhouse gas emissions faster than they would be required by law, but in any case by 2050 at the latest. they expect higher market benefits and higher profits than if they had continued to behave as they have in the past. This shows that they not only accept these changes, but they see them and want to use them as an opportunity ”.
And the population?
“The population depends as much on an intact and healthy environment as on an adequately paid job in future-oriented companies. Citizens are therefore willing to do their part; of course they also expect concrete actions from the economy ”.
What can or should the economy do to facilitate the transition to a more sustainable economy?
“Forward-thinking companies have a clear strategy on how to effectively implement environmental protection and achieve the goals set for reducing greenhouse gases. Politics must support them in this by creating the most favorable framework conditions possible. This can be achieved if we establish the right incentives and remove those obstacles that are holding back the transition to a sustainable economy today ”.
And we ordinary citizens, in our small way?
“Each person can contribute to a more sustainable economy and society. For example, he can eat mainly seasonal food, mainly based on vegetables, decrease his consumption of meat and thereby do something for his own health; or he can decide to switch to electric mobility, or install heating systems powered by renewable energy. All of these solutions are cheaper than fossil alternatives, more damaging to the climate and unhealthy in the long run. We see it well today with the increase in petrol and gas prices ».
We would not be Swiss if we did not compromise. What are the liberal Greens willing to do?
“We Liberal Greens are optimistic people and we want to shape the future. We are committed to this, and that is why we strive for effective reforms in many areas. However, we are always willing to reach compromises or a policy of small steps, provided of course the result goes in the right direction ».
On the other hand, what is the insurmountable limit for you, if there is one?
“We do not have a dogmatic position; we seek pragmatic solutions with all political parties and are committed to making things progress. On the other hand, we do not support the positions that make them retreat, positions that often come from conservative parties, whether they are on the left or right of the political landscape ».
Let's talk about energy: what is your recipe for trying to achieve energy self-sufficiency?
“The energy transition will only be successful if we continue to encourage the expansion of renewable energies, especially solar energy, and quickly move to electric mobility in transport. Furthermore, it is necessary that gas and oil heating be replaced by renewable solutions and that buildings are better insulated. All in all, this strategy leads to electrification, which is why electricity is increasingly the center of attention. Switzerland must therefore produce much more electricity from solar, wind and hydroelectric power, and continue to be strongly integrated into the European electricity system ”.
Self-sufficiency but not isolation or self-sufficiency then?
"Yup. Energy self-sufficiency is not something to strive for. Indeed, energy exchange across national borders makes sense, because it increases the security of supply not only for us but for all of Europe ».
Are you willing, given the current energy crisis, to enter into discussion for a slower return or abandonment of nuclear power?
"No. The phasing out of nuclear power was clearly and unambiguously decided by the Swiss people. The construction of new nuclear power plants with the current technology is out of the question for us: the problem of waste disposal has not yet been solved, moreover they would be too expensive. However, as long as they are safe, existing nuclear power plants can remain in operation. We therefore have time until the date of their closure to expand the production of indigenous renewable energies as quickly and consistently as possible ».
On your website you refer to yourself as the most progressive party in Switzerland, yet you are not a left party. So what exactly does "progressive" mean to you?
“Being progressive for us means being open to progress. We are a party of and for people who look to the future with curiosity and optimism, and in this sense they want to shape it ».
