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Latest Direct Democracy news and updates from Switzerland. AI-curated articles covering Direct Democracy topics.
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A flurry of political activity marks the second half of 2026. Campaigns have been launched for national initiatives on food security and rent control, a referendum against new nuclear power is underway, and Swiss voters are preparing for four federal measures in November.
2 months ago · 5 sources
Politics
Swiss voters will decide on four major issues in the November 29 nationwide ballot. Key measures include a proposed VAT increase to fund pensions, easing restrictions on military equipment re-exports, the 'Fireworks Initiative', and a proposal to end the 'marriage penalty' in federal taxation.
SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more
Politics
An initiative to impose nationwide restrictions on the sale and use of noisy fireworks is set to go to a public vote after the organizing committee rejected a parliamentary counter-proposal, which it described as a 'sham compromise'.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Direct Democracy
The backers of a food protection initiative are taking legal action after claiming at least 5,000 authenticated signatures went missing during an official recount by the Federal Chancellery, potentially jeopardizing the vote.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Swiss Politics
Swiss citizens will vote on September 27th on a popular initiative to constitutionally redefine and strengthen the nation's neutrality. The ballot measure, propelled by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, forces a national debate on a cornerstone of Swiss foreign policy amid rising geopolitical tensions.
The Local Switzerland · +1 more
Politics
A political clash over citizenship is unfolding as Switzerland's National Council rejected a proposal to ease naturalization requirements, even as a separate 'Democracy Initiative' to streamline the process has successfully gathered enough signatures to force a national vote.
The Local Switzerland · +1 more
Politics
An environmental organization has launched the 'Mobility Voucher Initiative', a popular initiative seeking to introduce a minimum CHF 30 tax on air travel. The revenue generated would be used to fund the expansion and lower the cost of public transport.
SWI swissinfo.ch
E-Voting
Despite a recent glitch in Basel City, the Federal Chancellery has authorized cantons Graubünden, St Gallen, and Thurgau to utilize e-voting for the upcoming federal votes on July 14.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Finance
An alliance of politicians and NGOs has submitted a popular initiative with over 145,000 signatures, demanding binding climate and environmental rules for Swiss banks and financial institutions.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Politics
An alliance of left-wing parties and NGOs has successfully forced a referendum on a parliamentary decision to relax rules on exporting war materiel, arguing the move contradicts Switzerland's neutrality while still prohibiting re-exports to conflict zones like Ukraine.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Politics
In a narrow vote decided by the president's tie-breaker, the Swiss Senate has insisted on a counter-proposal to the "neutrality initiative," creating a political conflict with the House of Representatives and the federal government, which both oppose the move.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Politics
The Swiss parliament has approved a legal framework for pilot projects to test the electronic collection of signatures for popular initiatives and referendums. The move could modernize a cornerstone of Switzerland's system of direct democracy.
SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more
Referendum
In a series of nationwide referendums on March 8th, Swiss citizens rejected a proposal to slash the public broadcasting licence fee, and approved a shift to individual taxation for married couples. Voters also turned down a new climate fund but enshrined the importance of cash in the constitution.
The Local Switzerland · +2 more
Politics
Following an eight-hour debate, the Swiss House of Representatives has voted against the neutrality initiative, which sought to enshrine permanent and armed neutrality in the Constitution. The chamber also decided against putting forward a counter-proposal, aligning with the Federal Council's position.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Politics
An initiative calling for strict regulations on genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in food has successfully gathered over 137,000 signatures, ensuring the topic will be put to a national vote and putting the future of gene technology in agriculture back on the political agenda.
Le News
Direct Democracy
Swiss voters will once again decide on the regulation of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) after a popular initiative demanding strict rules for GMO-free food successfully gathered over 137,000 signatures, ensuring it will go to a national ballot.
Le News
Direct Democracy
A new popular initiative, backed by a cross-party coalition, seeks to compel tech giants and AI providers to analyze the risks of their services and take stronger action against illegal content such as fraud and disinformation, with signatures now being collected for a nationwide vote.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Direct Democracy
A popular initiative titled "For food without genetically modified organisms" has successfully gathered over 137,000 signatures, ensuring the Swiss public will once again vote on the country's strict regulations regarding GMOs in agriculture and food production.
Le News
Direct Democracy
A cross-party group has launched the 'Internet Initiative', which seeks to hold tech giants accountable for illegal content on their platforms. Proponents will now begin collecting the 100,000 signatures required to trigger a nationwide vote.
SWI swissinfo.ch
Politics
A popular initiative titled 'For food without genetically modified organisms' has been submitted with over 137,000 signatures, well over the threshold required. This ensures that the contentious issue of GMO regulation in Switzerland will once again be decided by a national vote.
Le News
