Today, Swiss voters voted on whether to make it easier to hunt wolves and other wild animals. Based on the latest vote count a majority of Swiss voters (51.92%) have rejected plans to change Switzerland’s hunting rules. As many predicted, majorities in cantons in mountainous regions of Switzerland with a high percentages of farmers in […]
Swiss voters accept new fighter jets by thin margin
Today, Swiss voters voted on whether to spend CHF 6 billion on a new fleet of military jets to replace its ageing fleet of McDonnell Douglas F/A-18 Hornets. With 50.15% of voters in favour of the purchase and 49.85% against it, the margin was narrow. Polls just before the vote suggested 58% would vote in […]
Swiss voters reject higher tax deductions for children and childcare
Today, Swiss voters voted on whether to end accept a government plan to increase tax deduction for children and childcare. Switzerland’s Federal Council and Parliament decided to increase the per child deduction from CHF 6,500 to CHF 10,000 and the maximum allowance for money spent on childcare outside the family from CHF 10,100 to CHF […]
Swiss voters accept 2 weeks of paternity leave
Today, Swiss voters voted on whether to accept a plan to offer two weeks of paternity leave funded by an increase in salary taxes. Based on the latest vote count a majority of Swiss voters (60.32%) have accepted this initiative. The canton of Vaud had the highest majority in favour of the plan (81.64%). Geneva […]
Swiss voters reject ending EU agreement on free movement
Today, Swiss voters voted on whether to end Switzerland’s agreement with the EU on the free movement of people. Based on the latest vote count a majority of Swiss voters (61.69%) have rejected this initiative. Only the cantons of Schwyz (53.36% yes), Glarus (50.47% yes), Appenzell Innerrhoden (54.29% yes) and Ticino (53.14% yes) had majorities […]
Referendum: higher tax deductions for children and childcare
In Switzerland, parents can claim tax allowances for their children. Currently they can deduct CHF 6,500 for each child plus up to CHF 10,100 per child for money spent on childcare from their federal tax calculation. Residents of Switzerland pay three layers of tax: federal, cantonal and municipal. These particular deductions apply only to federal […]
Referendum: whether to make it easier to hunt wolves
Switzerland has laws to protect wild animals. The current rules were introduced in 1986 when there were no wolves. In 1995, wolves started to return to Switzerland. By 2019, there were 80 wolves living in Switzerland and in some places packs have formed. Wolves have attacked sheep and goats and been seen near villages, something […]
Cost of Swiss health insurance to rise in 2021
Compulsory Swiss health insurance premiums are set to rise by an average of 0.5% in 2021, according to the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH). The average monthly premium will rise to CHF 316.50, 0.5% higher than in 2020. Premiums have risen an average of 3.7% p.a. since obligatory insurance was introduced in Switzerland in […]
Climate activists lose appeal against conviction in Switzerland
On 23 September 2020, twelve climate activists were convicted on appeal at Vaud’s cantonal tribunal. In 2018, the activists entered a branch of the bank Credit Suisse in Lausanne, Switzerland and started playing tennis. Their prank aimed to draw attention to the bank’s investments in companies involved in the fossil fuel industry. Tennis alluded to […]
2500 students quarantined at Lausanne’s hotel school
Around three quarters of the students at the hotel school of Lausanne (EHL) have been placed in quarantine after a number of students tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, reported RTS. The 2,500 students affected will be isolated until 28 September 2020 to stop the spread of the virus. The Swiss canton of Vaud, where recorded infections […]
