Switzerland has emphatically rejected two federal proposals in a nationwide referendum, signaling a strong pushback against government intervention and highlighting divisions over fiscal policy and social obligations. Preliminary projections from the GfS Bern institute indicate overwhelming opposition to both the proposed civic service and a new federal inheritance and gift tax.
The civic service proposal, intended to mandate a period of service for all citizens, including women, focusing on public benefit and environmental protection, garnered a meager 16% support, with a crushing 84% voting against. Despite recommendations for rejection from the Federal Council, Parliament and the Council of States, critics argued the program would incur substantial costs and represent an unnecessary burden on citizens, potentially exacerbating existing strains on the labor market. The rejection underscores a growing sentiment within the Swiss populace regarding the scope and cost of public service obligations.
Similarly, the federal inheritance and gift tax proposal faced near-universal rejection, with only 21% in favor and 79% opposed. The initiative, championed by the Green Socialists (Jungsozialisten), aimed to impose a 50% tax on inheritances and gifts exceeding 50 million Swiss francs, with two-thirds of the revenue allocated to the federal government and one-third to the cantons. Currently, inheritance tax is solely levied at the cantonal and municipal levels. Although proponents justified the tax as a means of funding climate policy and driving a “socially just” transition to a green economy, the proposal encountered strong resistance, particularly from wealthier segments of the population concerned about double taxation.
The resounding defeat of both initiatives raises serious questions about the government’s ability to implement ambitious social and environmental programs. The rejection sequence reveals a potential disconnect between the Federal Council’s political agenda and the prevailing attitudes of the Swiss electorate, especially concerning financial burdens and state intervention. The outcome is likely to significantly influence future policy debates and could necessitate a reassessment of strategies for addressing climate change and social welfare in Switzerland, forcing a shift toward alternative funding models and potentially fueling further political polarization.