Switzerland is a wealthy nation, but as elsewhere, wealth is not evenly distributed. According to SRF, nearly 400,000 Swiss residents have assets exceeding CHF 1 million. The richest 1% of taxpayers hold 45% of the country’s total wealth, while the bottom 62% own just 3%. The remaining 37% of taxpayers own the remaining 53%. To […]
Swiss parliament rejects universal service initiative
This week, an initiative aimed at convincing Swiss voters to support a proposal to introduce a system of universal service for all Swiss citizens was rejected by parliament, reported SRF. Only one party, the Liberal Green Party, supported the proposal. All other major parties were against the idea. Those supporting the idea claim it would […]
Switzerland rises three places in latest world democracy ranking
This year’s edition of the Economist Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) Democracy Index is notably downbeat. It explores what’s wrong with representative democracy and why the democratic model developed over the past century is in trouble. Popular disaffection with democratic government is increasingly being expressed in an anti-incumbent backlash and rising support for populist insurgents. Some may […]
Swiss government rejects initiative for faster citizenship
This week, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced it was against a popular initiative to make it easier to become Swiss. The team behind the initiative hopes to convince a majority of Swiss voters to allow foreign residents to apply for citizenship after 5 years of residence, regardless of the type or permit held. Currently, 10 years […]
Swiss-EU deal acceptance more likely after progress on wage protection
In Switzerland, there is resistance to EU deals on both the left and right. On the right concern tends to be focused on loss of self determination, cultural erosion and overcrowding. On the left, key sticking points are loss of trade protection and wage dumping. This week, progress was made on wage protection, reported RTS. […]
Commission against mandatory referendum on Switzerland’s EU deal
On 20 December 2024, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited Bern to conclude the long negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on their future relationship. The terms agreed between Brussels and Bern now need to be formalised in legal form. However, it is likely that those against the relationship or the form of […]
Swiss votes, initiatives and referenda – a guide
Swiss vote regularly on a wide range of proposals and government decisions. Since 1848, in addition to general elections, Swiss voters have been called to vote on 677 referenda and initiatives. 48% percent of these votes were accepted. Between 1848 and 1900 there was roughly one of these votes a year. Since 1991, there have […]
9 February 2025 environment vote rejected
The vote this weekend delivered a clear “no”. The Environmental Responsibility Initiative set highly ambitious limits to emissions and the consumption of natural resources, defined as planetary boundaries, to be reached within 10 years. Polls ahead of the vote made it clear that a majority of those polled considered the economic costs of meeting such […]
Impact of the 9 February vote if accepted
On 9 February 2025, Swiss voters will be asked to decide whether to accept the Environmental Responsibility Initiative. The initiative sets highly ambitious limits to emissions and the consumption of natural resources, defined as planetary boundaries, to be reached within 10 years. There is no detail on how these limits will be reached – see […]
Swiss Federal Council’s theme and photo for 2025
Every year, Switzerland’s Federal Council publishes a photograph reflecting the theme for the year, which is chosen by the new president. This year’s theme is the unique character of Swiss democracy. Photographer Arthur Gamsa took photos of people across Switzerland and used them to create a mosaic of more than 1,000 faces. This mosaic forms […]
