Bid to protect tenants from abusive rents will go to the ballot box; plan to increase minimum health insurance gets broad support; and more news from Switzerland in our Wednesday roundup.
Initiative to protect tenants from abusive rents will go to the ballot box
The Swiss Tenants’ Association (ASLOCA) has obtained over 140,000 signatures – enough to bring the issue of abusive rents to a national referendum.
The initiative demands that rents be monitored automatically and regularly, and be lowered if needed.
“If a rent is excessive, it must be reduced,” said Michael Töngi, vice president of ASLOCA Switzerland.
“Currently, the entire responsibility falls on the tenants. They have to defend themselves individually, while many are afraid of clashing with their property management company, or even losing their homes,” he added. “This is unacceptable. Landlords who demand excessive rents must not be able to act with impunity.”
READ MORE: Why don’t more tenants in Switzerland ask for a rent reduction?
Plan to increase minimum health insurance deductible gets broad support
The Federal Council’s plan to raise the health insurance deductible has garnered broad support during the consultation process which ended on Tuesday.
The goal of this move is to cut the soaring healthcare costs.
However, this measure would be acceptable only if the increase remains temporary and not automatic.
The plan calls for raising of the current minimum deductible from of 300 francs to 400 francs, and adjusting it automatically in the future.
But while the centre-right parties and insurers support the proposal, the left is against it, fearing that such a measure would keep sick people from seeking medical treatments to avoid paying extra charges.
READ MORE: Minimum Swiss health insurance deductible could rise by 100 francs
SWISS delays resumption of flights to Dubai
The national airline has extended the suspension of its flights to and from Dubai until the end of the summer schedule on October 24th.
This decisions is due to the continued political tensions in Iran and neighbouring countries, following the Israeli-American attacks against Iran and the Iranian reprisals against the Gulf States, as well as against Israel, the airline said.
Passengers whose flights were already booked can change their reservations free of charge or receive a full refund.
The flights to Tel Aviv are expected to resume on August 1st, while those to Beirut also remain suspended until October 24th.
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