Young Swiss men will soon face tighter restrictions on opting for civilian service instead of compulsory military duty after voters approved a reform in Sunday’s referendum (Yes: 52.5%; No: 47.5%). The new rules are expected to enter into force in mid-2027. Swiss civilian service was approved by voters in 1992 and introduced in 1996 for […]
Switzerland’s hidden redistribution machine gets bigger
Switzerland’s elaborate fiscal equalisation system rarely attracts much public attention. Yet the latest figures from the federal finance administration suggest the country’s regional divides are widening faster than Bern had expected. On June 9th the federal government announced that equalisation payments to the cantons would rise sharply in 2027, climbing by CHF 527m ($640m) to […]
Swiss canton to ban headscarfs in schools
Teachers in the Swiss canton of St Gallen will soon be barred from wearing religious symbols in the classroom, after the cantonal parliament approved a motion introducing a canton-wide ban, reported SRF. The proposal passed by 70 votes to 46 after a lengthy and emotionally charged debate. Lawmakers also voted narrowly, by 59 to 54, […]
Switzerland to allow personal bankruptcy
Overindebted people in Switzerland will soon be able to wipe out their debts by declaring bankruptcy. Parliament has approved a government-backed reform aimed at breaking the cycle of indebtedness, after the lower house resolved the final disagreements on Thursday, reported RTS. Under the new rules, the heavily indebted will be eligible to have their debts […]
Swiss to vote on tightening rules on military service
Switzerland’s peculiar compromise between military obligation and individual conscience is once again under scrutiny. On June 14th Swiss voters will decide whether to tighten the rules governing civilian service, the alternative available to those unwilling to perform military duties. The proposed reform, backed by both the federal government and parliament, aims to reduce the number […]
Swiss parliament chooses VAT rise to fund extra pension payment
Two years after Swiss voters approved the introduction of a 13th monthly state pension payment, parliament remains divided over how to finance it. The debate has further sharpened concerns about the unsustainability of Switzerland’s pay-as-you-go pension system as the population ages. Left-wing parties accuse conservative and liberal politicians of trying to use the funding debate […]
No more military exemption for young French-Swiss men
Franco-Swiss dual nationals may no longer be able to avoid Swiss military service under a bilateral agreement between Switzerland and France, decided a parliamentary majority. On Thursday the National Council approved, by 129 votes to 61, a motion already backed by the Council of States. The proposal, put forward by Mauro Poggia, a politician from […]
What impact could a 10m population cap have on Swiss pensions and health premiums?
Switzerland’s referendum on June 14th is ostensibly about immigration and relations with the European Union. But the outcome could also have far-reaching consequences for the country’s welfare state. Supporters of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) initiative argue that immigration must be curbed to limit population growth and pressure on infrastructure. Critics counter that restricting immigration […]
Geneva to vote on shopping hours and secularism
Voters in the canton of Geneva will head to the polls on June 14th to decide two distinctly Genevan questions: whether shops should open more often on Sundays and whether elected officials should be barred from wearing visible religious symbols in parliament. The first referendum concerns retail opening hours. At present, shops in Geneva may […]
Most Swiss primary pupils perform well, according to assessment
Swiss schools appear to be succeeding at their most basic task. According to a nationwide assessment published by Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education, the overwhelming majority of children in the fourth year of HarmoS schooling—the equivalent of second grade in primary school—meet national standards in mathematics and language skills. The survey, conducted in […]
