On 18 June 2023, citizens of Geneva voted on whether to boost the rate of wealth tax applied to assets above CHF 3 million over the next decade – an extra CHF 44 to 49 per 1,000 would be levied on wealth above CHF 3 million for 10 years. 55.12% of voters rejected the idea. […]
Swiss initiative that aims to let voters fire cabinet members
Currently, the members of Switzerland’s seven-member Federal Council, the nation’s executive or cabinet, are elected for four years by the members of parliament (National Council) and the upper house (Council of States). This week, an initiative was launched for a referendum on whether to allow voters to remove any Federal Councillor they don’t like, reported […]
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 […]
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 […]
Economiesuisse warns of economic dangers of vote against foreign judges
The business and industry association Economiesuisse says the up-coming vote on 25 November 2018 on self-determination puts the Swiss economy at risk. The Swiss People’s Party led initiative entitled: Federal law instead of foreign judges, aims to cement the primacy of Swiss law over international law by adding a clause to Switzerland’s constitution. The Federal Council, […]
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 votes – fixing a broken system
The think tank Avenir Suisse thinks that the Swiss system of referenda, where popular votes can change the Swiss federal constitution, has been hijacked by political parties and minority interest groups and needs fixing. According to the think tank, this cornerstone of Swiss direct democracy has become the instrument of political parties and a marketing […]
Why are Swiss voting for a new national anthem?
What makes for a good national anthem? The melody should be festive, solemn, create a sense of identity and unity around shared values and, be easy to remember. Apparently the current Swiss national anthem fails this last test. The majority of Swiss people cannot remember the Cantique Suisse, if they even know it at all. […]
Swiss immigration vote re-run
The February 2014 vote showed just how divided Swiss views on immigration are. While 50.3% voted for the proposal to stop mass immigration, 49.7% voted against it. A re-run could easily undo the result – it should be noted that an exact re-run is not possible under Swiss law. While the amendment to the Swiss […]
A 5-step guide to Switzerland’s immigration changes
On 9 February 2014, Swiss voters decided by a slim majority of 50.3% to adopt new rules on immigration. The new rules now form part of the Swiss Federal constitution. The changes are broad and short on specifics. For this reason the adoption of new legislation implementing the changes is critical for clarifying the exact scope […]
