Economiesuisse analyzes campaign against rip-off initiative
Economiesuisse is conducting an internal review in light of the «fat-cat» initiative: The business umbrella organization intends to “take a self-critical, thorough, and open look at the campaign strategy and the preceding political decision-making process.”.
The Executive Committee carried out an initial analysis of the situation following the vote, it announced on Tuesday. Economiesuisse did not wish to comment on whether the results will be published and what specific questions they will ask themselves in the analysis.
On March 3, the Swiss electorate voted 67.9 percent in favor of the initiative by Thomas Minder, a member of the Council of States from Schaffhausen, thus inflicting a severe defeat on Economiesuisse's multi-million euro counter-campaign. Following the clear verdict of the voters, the governing body is taking the current debate very seriously, according to the press release. At the same time, the umbrella organization is reflecting on its image, role and responsibility. The necessary consequences will be drawn, Economiesuisse announced, without being specific.
The image of Switzerland's largest business association suffered, among other things, when it became public that an advertising agency had paid students to write comments against the rip-off initiative on online portals. The advertising agency designed the posters and advertisements for Economiesuisse's campaign against the initiative.
Economiesuisse then also rejected the campaign film by director Michael Steiner (Werbewoche.ch reported). The film exaggerated the consequences that Switzerland would face if the initiative was accepted.
Statements made by President Rudolf Wehrli on Swiss television SRF's "Rundschau" program also led to reactions. He said that several international companies had already worked out their plans to leave Switzerland if the initiative was accepted.
The organization feels it has been misunderstood: The image of Economiesuisse conveyed by the media does not do justice to the broad support of the association, it said in Tuesday's press release. The business association unites 20 cantonal chambers of industry and commerce, 100 industry associations and around 100,000 companies under its umbrella. (SDA)
