This Sunday, Switzerland is at a pivotal moment, holding a national referendum on two groundbreaking proposals that could reshape its society and economy. The Swiss populace is voting on whether to replace the current men-only military conscription with a compulsory civic duty for all citizens, regardless of gender. Simultaneously, they are deciding on a controversial new tax on the super-rich, designed to fund the country's fight against climate change.
A Test for Direct Democracy
Under Switzerland's unique system of direct democracy, any issue can be put to a popular vote if it gathers 100,000 signatures. This has led to the two national items on Sunday's ballot. However, recent polls from market researcher gfs.bern indicate that neither initiative is expected to pass. The government and parliament have strongly urged voters to reject both, warning of huge costs and potential threats to the Swiss economy.
The Push for 'True Equality' Through Civic Duty
The first proposal, known as the Civic Duty initiative, initially received broad support, but its backing has significantly dwindled. The latest survey shows a substantial 64 percent of those polled are opposed. The committee behind the initiative, led by Noemie Roten, argues that requiring every Swiss citizen to serve—either in the army, civil protection, or civil service—would foster true equality and strengthen social cohesion.
Roten described the existing system as discriminatory. She stated that while it places a burden on men, it also largely excludes women from the valuable networks and experiences gained during service. "Be it in the army, civil protection, civil service or voluntary firefighters, the idea is for every young person to contribute to the collective wellbeing," she told AFP.
Opponents, however, fiercely contest this notion of enhanced equality. Cyrielle Huguenot of the Swiss Trade Union Federation (USS) argued that the initiative "completely obscures the reality of women in this country." She pointed out that women already perform the vast majority of unpaid work in Swiss society and that this measure would only exacerbate the existing imbalance by asking them for more unpaid service.
'Tax the Rich, Save the Climate' Initiative Faces Hurdles
The second item on the ballot, dubbed the "initiative for a future", has sparked equal controversy. It proposes a new climate tax targeting large inheritances and appears even less likely to succeed, with a striking 68 percent of respondents opposing it.
Put forward by the youth wing of Switzerland's Socialist Party, the text calls for a 50-percent inheritance tax on fortunes exceeding 50 million Swiss francs (approximately $63 million). This is estimated to affect around 2,500 of the wealthiest households in the nation.
Under the slogan "tax the rich, save the climate," the proponents calculate that this levy would generate an estimated six billion Swiss francs annually. This massive fund would be directed towards an ecological transformation of Switzerland's economy, financing projects like:
- Renovating buildings for better energy efficiency.
- Developing renewable energy sources.
- Expanding the public transportation network.
A massive opposition campaign has raised alarms, warning that such a tax could prompt very wealthy individuals to leave the country, thereby weakening the economy. Critics also caution that it could harm people inheriting family businesses, creating unintended financial strain.
While the final outcome is still pending, with polling stations open for a few hours on Sunday morning, most votes are cast in advance. The initial results from this significant democratic exercise are expected by mid-afternoon, revealing the direction the wealthy Alpine nation chooses to take on these critical issues of equality and climate finance.
