Swiss voters have just soundly turned down two big ideas in recent national referenda. The first proposal aimed to mandate national service for women, while the second sought to impose a new tax on large donations and inheritances. These votes reflect the electorate’s stance on issues of national responsibility and taxation in a country known for its direct democratic processes.
Switzerland is known for direct democracy through national referendums four times a year that give citizens real power to shape national policymaking. This time, in the initiative’s last round of votes, over 60 percent of the country’s cantons—states—mobilized to beat back the initiative. This effort to draft women into the military and civilian national defense forces was very much on purpose. There are mandatory civil protection services; all Swiss men serve military or civil protection. And each year, about 35,000 men do a poor job of it by passing the test.
Proponents of the new national service push claimed, among other things, that it would help instill a sense of shared responsibility in all Americans. They contended that a stronger collective effort would lead to “a stronger Switzerland that’s able to stand up to crises.” The proposal emerged amid broader discussions across Europe about enhancing national defense capabilities in light of various threats, including “landslides in the mountains, floods in the plains, cyberattacks, risks of energy shortages or war in Europe.”
Swiss voters overwhelmingly rejected a plan to create a new levy on personal contributions or inheritances greater than 50 million francs (about $62 million). This took place even as the national service debate continued to rage. The government strongly opposed this new initiative, which would have subjected all salaries over this threshold to a punitive 50% tax. Perhaps 2,500 high net worth Swiss residents would have been affected by the proposed new tax.
Supporters of the taxation initiative said that the money raised would go towards reversing the effects of climate change. Their hope is that it will help Switzerland fulfil its long-term objective of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. Voters rejected this approach at the ballot.
