Despite Switzerland’s reputation for democracy, only 39% of eligible voters bothered to vote at Sunday’s cantonal election in Vaud. The election, which gives voters a chance to choose the canton’s 150-seat parliament (Grand Conseil) and who goes into the second round run off for the 7-member executive (Conseil d’Etat) on 21 May, delivered little change. […]
Vote launched to legalise cannabis in Switzerland
Tribune de Genève. Last week a group called “Legalize it“, launched an initiative to have cannabis legalised. They now have 18 months to get 100,000 signatures, the minimum number required to qualify for a referendum, known as a popular initiative. Unlike a failed referendum on the subject in 2008, this one includes a ban on sales […]
No charges to be pressed against 86 year old graffiti culprit
20 Minutes. No charges will be made against the 86 year old woman who sprayed graffiti on a fence outside the Swiss National Bank (SNB) in Bern. Balthasars Grüne Links wurde soeben publiziert! https://t.co/HSWZCD8vSS Beiträge u.a. von @smiddy2812 @bmarmier @EliasR94 #presidentielles — Balthasar Glättli (@bglaettli) April 12, 2017 Last week, Louise Schneider, spray painted the […]
Swiss broadcasting fees should not go, says government commission
20 Minutes. Some who move to Switzerland might not be aware that they are almost certainly required to pay one of the world’s highest broadcasting licence fees. An annual Swiss licence costs CHF 451.10 per household. The onus is on you to determine if you are liable, sign up with Billag, a subsidiary of Swisscom, and pay. […]
Swiss vote results 12 February 2017
Today, Swiss voted on whether to make it easier for third generation residents to become Swiss nationals. This plan was accepted by 60.4% of voters. The vote to overhaul the company tax system was rejected by 59.1% of voters, and the vote to spend more federal funds on roads was accepted by 62% of voters. […]
Swiss voters to decide whether to spend big on roads
On 12 February 2017, the Swiss electorate will vote on constitutional changes to spend large sums on roads. The Swiss government says the country has a good transport system, which has been pushed to its limits due to increasing mobility. On many national roads and in the cities, traffic congestion is the norm, it says. Aim of the proposal […]
Swiss to vote on fast-track citizenship for third generation immigrants
On 12 February 2017, the Swiss electorate will vote on the Federal Decree on the Simplified Naturalisation of Third-Generation Immigrants. Switzerland is well known for its strict citizenship requirements. Currently, most foreign nationals must live in Switzerland for twelve years before applying, and prove they are well integrated. There are numerous young foreigners living in […]
Swiss to vote on wide-reaching overhaul of the way companies are taxed
On 12 February 2017, the Swiss will vote on whether to accept the Corporate Tax Reform Act III, a set of new rules that will affect how all Swiss companies are taxed. Historically, Switzerland has offered certain foreign companies lower taxation in order to attract them. According to the government, these special status companies employ around […]
Geneva votes for limited Sunday shop opening
Today, voters in the canton of Geneva were asked whether shops should remain closed on Sundays and public holidays. The cantonal initiative called “Touche pas à mes dimanches!”, which was put forward by the unions, the Socialist party and others, was rejected in favour of a parliamentary counterproposal which allows shops to open on 31 […]
Zurich rejects plan to limit marriage to heterosexuals
Today, voters in the canton of Zurich were asked whether marriage should be restricted to heterosexual couples. The cantonal initiative called “Schutz der Ehe”, which was put forward by the Federal Democratic Union party (EDU/UDF), was resoundingly rejected. 81% of voters were opposed to it. On their website EDU said their fight to restrict marriage, […]
