Switzerland’s electorate delivered a resounding rejection of two significant federal proposals in a Sunday referendum, signaling a firm resistance to expanded government intervention and raising questions about the nation’s approach to climate financing. Preliminary projections from the GfS Bern institute indicate a stark divergence between the government’s ambitions and public sentiment, with only 16% voting in favor of the proposed civil service obligation and 21% supporting the new federal inheritance and gift tax.
The civil service proposal, designed to mandate public service for all citizens, including women, offering alternatives to military service through civil protection or equivalent roles, faced widespread criticism. Despite recommendations for rejection from the Federal Council, Parliament and the Council of States, core concerns centered around the anticipated substantial financial burden placed on the state. Critics argued the plan represented an unnecessary expansion of state power and a drain on national resources, ultimately failing to garner sufficient public support.
The inheritance and gift tax initiative, championed by the youth wing of the Social Democratic Party (JSP), aimed to impose a 50% federal tax on inheritances and gifts above a threshold of CHF 50 million. Proceeds were slated to be allocated, two-thirds to the federal government and one-third to the cantons, ostensibly to fund climate action and a broader economic transformation. While the JSP positioned the tax as a mechanism for socially equitable climate crisis mitigation, the proposal faced opposition based on principles of fiscal autonomy and the existing system where inheritance taxes are primarily levied at the cantonal and municipal levels.
The decisive “no” votes highlight a broader trend within Swiss politics, demonstrating a persistent reluctance among voters to embrace significant federal policy shifts, particularly those involving increased taxation and expanded public obligations. The rejection of the climate-focused inheritance tax, in particular, underscores the complex challenge of securing public funding for environmental initiatives, even when framed as a matter of social justice. While the JSP’s intentions may have resonated with some, the proposal ultimately failed to overcome concerns about government overreach and the existing decentralized system of taxation. These results are likely to prompt a reevaluation of the government’s strategy for securing funding for climate policy and navigating the delicate balance between environmental ambitions and public acceptance.
