On 7 March 2021, Swiss voters will vote on whether to ban face coverings in public. Discussions on the ban are typically focused on the burka. However, the burka is a specific blue face and body covering found mainly in Afghanistan, which is not seen in Switzerland. The term burqa is sometimes conflated with niqab […]
Swiss to vote on trade deal with Indonesia
On 7 March 2021, Swiss voters will vote on whether to accept a new trade deal with Indonesia. The deal agreed by the Swiss and Indonesian governments aims to improve trade with South East Asia’s largest economy by cutting tariffs in both directions. However, the deal has opponents who have successfully called a referendum against […]
Swiss federal government rejects vote to ban burqas
On 7 March 2021, Swiss voters will vote on a federal ban on covering faces in public, a referendum focused on women wearing burqas and niqabs. The Egerkingen initiative aims to ban face coverings in public and to protect the free will of women to leave their faces uncovered. The proposal makes exceptions, such as […]
Swiss referendum launched against same sex marriage
In early December 2020, the Council of States, Switzerland’s upper house voted in favour of same sex marriage, finalising a government decision to change Switzerland’s laws to allow marriage equality for all. Since then those opposed to the idea have been busy. The proposed referendum is entitled: Yes to marriage and family, no to marriage […]
Swiss voters reject ban on financing weapons
Today, Swiss voters voted on whether to make it illegal to finance any form of weapons production or invest in any company making weapons. With 57.45% of voters opposed to the ban and 42.55% in favour of it, the margin was convincing. Polls just before the vote suggested only 41% would vote in favour of the plan. […]
Swiss voters narrowly in favour of law making Swiss companies liable for violations abroad
Today, Swiss voters voted on whether Swiss companies should be legally liable for the human rights and environmental damage caused by their own activities or any companies that supply or work with them. With 50.73% of voters in favour of the new law and 49.27% against it, the margin was narrow. Polls just before the vote suggested […]
Swiss referendum: ban on financing weapons
On 29 of November 2020, Swiss voters will vote on whether to ban the financing of weapons makers. As are many nations, Switzerland is involved in the arms industry. Swiss companies produce weapons and parts for weapons, while Swiss investors finance weapons manufacturers both in Switzerland and abroad. In Switzerland, weapons manufacture is subject to […]
Swiss referendum: responsible business initiative
On 29 of November 2020, Swiss voters will vote on the responsible businesses initiative, which aims to improve human rights and the environmental protections under Swiss law. Swiss companies are expected to uphold human rights and comply with environmental standards, not just in Switzerland but also when doing business abroad. Switzerland has played an active […]
Voters in Geneva accept minimum wage initiative
A majority of voters in Geneva accepted a plan to set a minimum wage of CHF 23 per hour (US$ 24.77). 58.15% of voters in the canton were in favour of the minimum wage plan, which previously only covered domestic workers. Two earlier votes on the subject were rejected by the canton’s voters. Unions argued […]
Swiss voters reject changes to wildlife hunting laws
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 […]
