Juso’s Hostetmann: Defeat on Inheritance Tax Won’t Silence Inequality Debate

The vote on an inheritance tax for the wealthy is over, having dominated Swiss political discourse for over a year. How exhausted were you on the evening of the vote?

Pretty exhausted, actually. It was a very demanding, but also exciting time. Despite the result, we were able to accomplish a lot – and that feels good. We challenged the power dynamics with this initiative. That it would cause an uproar was clear – but that’s exactly what we need to do more of now.

During the campaign, you received death threats.

Yes. The serious threats mostly came by mail. It’s not pleasant, but I’m not the only one – most people who speak out publicly experience something similar. Unfortunately, you have to expect this when you take on public office.

What impact did that have on you?

The trend is concerning, also for our democracy. It’s important that everyone in this country can discuss different visions and future perspectives without fear. This problem will likely worsen in the coming years. Politics, but also society as a whole, needs to find a different way of dealing with it.

The public soundly rejected your initiative with a clear “no” – a result that was widely anticipated. Did the Juso genuinely believe it could pass?

Popular initiatives generally face an uphill battle. Only around ten percent are accepted – none from the Juso so far, unfortunately. Of course, it’s always disappointing to lose. But the problems we raised with the initiative – such as wealth inequality and the influence of billionaires – are becoming increasingly prominent. In a survey by Gfs and SRF, respondents rated the influence of multibillionaires on politics and society as the greatest danger – in stark contrast to military attacks from abroad, which were at the bottom of the priority list. That needs to be taken seriously.

Political scientist Corina Schena of Gfs recently suggested that an inheritance tax is unlikely to be revisited in Switzerland for the foreseeable future. Do you believe your initiative has inadvertently set the issue back?

I don’t think so. During the campaign, more and more voices from across the political spectrum said they were fundamentally in favor of an inheritance tax. Even after the votes, the debate around wealth inequality continues. A billionaire recently called for higher taxes on the super-rich.

You’re referring to Partners Group co-founder Alfred Gantner, who proposed a wealth tax for the wealthy?

Exactly. Inheritance taxes aren’t the only tool to combat wealth inequality. Our initiative has sparked a discussion about this. The timing is right, especially as there’s renewed talk of increased military spending, which would likely be funded through higher value-added taxes. At some point, the public will simply refuse to accept that. It’s fundamentally unfair to continually increase consumption taxes, which disproportionately affect the broader population.

Billionaire Gantner and the “Tax the Rich” Juso seem to agree – are you considering a collaboration?

(laughs) I don’t think so, no. For me, it’s clear: in a just society, there should be no billionaires. Such immense wealth is not justifiable.

You lost the vote – what’s next for the Juso?

Preventing the expansion of power by the far right and their allied billionaires – whether in the U.S., Putin’s Russia, or here from Herrliberg – is paramount. Either we finally make politics for the people and not for the wealthiest, or – I fear – we will regress into dark times. Our next projects will therefore focus on fighting inequality. But this isn’t just the Juso’s responsibility.

You have been Juso President since 2024. Many of your predecessors have stepped down after two years. Will you be stepping down next summer?

I haven’t made any concrete plans to step down yet. But it’s true that you can’t hold this office for decades. It’s important to make room for new people and new ideas – that’s what young parties ultimately thrive on.

A number of former Juso leaders now sit in the Swiss Parliament – do you also plan to run for national office?

I base my political goals less on holding office and more on the issues I believe in. I will continue to be politically engaged after my presidency. Where and in what form that will be remains to be seen.

If so, you would likely have to move. Securing a seat in the Canton of Obwalden would be difficult, as there is only one.

Yes, Obwalden is unlikely to become a left-wing stronghold (laughs). I’m still young and will decide later where my life will be centered.