US EditionSwiss voters consider whether women, like all male citizens, must do national service
The initiative seeks to extend national service to women for social cohesion and equality amid opposition citing high costs and economic impact; 64% of voters oppose it, poll shows.
- On November 30 Swiss voters will decide whether to replace men's military conscription with the proposed compulsory civic duty for all citizens, which backers say would boost social cohesion.
- The committee behind the initiative collected 100,000 signatures to put the civic-duty proposal on the ballot, framing it as seeking 'true equality' and calling the current system discriminatory.
- Each year about 35,000 men perform mandatory service at a cost of nearly 1 billion Swiss francs; Switzerland's militia system requires at least four months' service followed by refresher sessions over a decade.
- Polls from gfs.bern show 64 percent and 68 percent oppose the initiative, while the Swiss government and parliament urge rejection citing huge costs and workforce risks involving tens of thousands.
- Voters also consider an inheritance-tax proposal that would tax 50 percent on fortunes above CHF50 million, affecting 2,500 households and raising between CHF2.5 billion and six billion Swiss francs annually.
72 Articles
72 Articles
The proceeds, according to the proposal of the Socialist Youth, would be two thirds to the Confederation and one third to the Cantons and should be used to fight the climate crisis in a socially fair way.
Boston Herald
Independent EspañolBy JAMEY KEATEN GENEVA (AP) — Swiss voters voted on Sunday to decide whether women, like men, should perform national service in the army, in civil protection teams or in other ways. Supporters of the “citizen service initiative” in the referendum ending Sunday expect this to boost social cohesion by adding jobs in areas such as environmental prevention, food security and care for older people. Parliament is overwhelmingly opposed to the idea, m…
Will Swiss millionaires soon have to pay 50 percent inheritance tax to finance climate measures? Although a referendum on this proposal this Sunday seems unlikely, wealthy Swiss people are already threatening to move.
Associated Press News
Swiss voters consider whether women, like all male citizens, must do national service
Swiss voters are deciding whether women should be required to do national service like men. Supporters of the “citizen service initiative” hope it will boost social cohesion by adding jobs in areas like environmental prevention and elderly care.
Daily Journal
Swiss vote on compulsory civic duty, climate tax for super-rich
Switzerland votes Sunday on whether to replace the current men-only military conscription with a compulsory civic duty for men and women alike and on taxing the super-rich to fund the climate fight.
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- 44% of the sources are Center
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