referendums

referendums

Swiss voters set for referendum on Malaysia trade deal

Opponents of Switzerland’s EFTA trade agreement with Malaysia say it lacks adequate safeguards for rainforests and workers’ rights and have submitted enough signatures to force a referendum. The article will explain the treaty, the campaign’s objections and the next steps toward a national vote.

The Local Switzerland · +1 more

Switzerland-EU

Swiss lawmakers advance EU deal as referendum questions take shape

Switzerland’s Council of States has broadly endorsed the new bilateral package with the EU while seeking changes on referendums and immigration. The article will explain the parliamentary process and what Swiss voters can expect next.

The Local Switzerland · +1 more

Switzerland-EU relations

Switzerland’s EU deal moves forward as referendum questions take shape

Switzerland’s Council of States has advanced the new EU agreements, including Erasmus+ funding, while lawmakers have debated immigration provisions, tuition fees and the mechanism for a future referendum. Cover what the upper-house decisions mean for the package’s next parliamentary and popular-vote stages.

The Local Switzerland · +3 more

Switzerland

Swiss voters could be asked to approve the new package of agreements with the European Union, while lawmakers also debate equal tuition fees for EU students at the country’s two federal institutes of technology. The article should explain the proposed voting mechanism, the cantonal-majority issue and the education implications.

The Local Switzerland · +1 more

Swiss politics

A cross-party alliance has submitted 112,517 valid signatures for a popular initiative calling for 36 weeks of paid parental leave, including 18 weeks for each parent. The initiative now moves closer to a nationwide vote, subject to formal verification by the Federal Chancellery.

SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more

Swiss politics

Swiss voters have decisively rejected a proposal to impose a stricter constitutional interpretation of neutrality, with the initiative defeated in every canton.

The Local Switzerland · +1 more

Swiss politics

Swiss voters rejected the initiative to enshrine a stricter definition of neutrality in the constitution by roughly 70%, while also rejecting a food-security proposal. The article should explain what the result means for sanctions policy, relations with Europe and the government’s freedom to respond to future conflicts, including the role of alleged Russian influence operations during the campaign.

SWI swissinfo.ch · +3 more

direct democracy

The Swiss Senate has rejected proposals to ban paid signature collection and require disclosure of spending by organisations that hire commercial firms to gather referendum and initiative signatures.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Vaud

Voters in Vaud will decide on September 27 whether to cut cantonal income and wealth taxes by 12%. Supporters describe the proposal as a boost to purchasing power, while opponents warn that it could damage public finances.

Le News

animal welfare

Parliament has recommended that voters reject a popular initiative seeking to ban foie gras imports, while supporting an indirect counter-proposal intended to reduce consumption over time. The issue is now headed towards a national vote.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Swiss parliament

Switzerland’s autumn parliamentary session will address the new package of agreements with the European Union, including dynamic adoption of EU law, wage protection and immigration safeguards. Senators will also debate whether the agreements should face an optional or mandatory referendum, alongside army funding and Mercosur policy.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Switzerland

The Kremlin has reportedly sought to influence Switzerland’s campaign over a neutrality initiative that voters will decide on September 27. The proposal would introduce constitutional limits on sanctions against states involved in armed conflicts, putting foreign interference and Switzerland’s security policy in the spotlight.

SWI swissinfo.ch · +1 more

Swiss politics

Swiss voters will decide on a proposal concerning locally produced food and national food supply on September 27. The article should provide a neutral explainer of what the referendum would change, the arguments on both sides and its possible implications for farmers, consumers and food policy.

The Local Switzerland

artificial intelligence

Research during the ‘No to ten million’ referendum campaign found that Google frequently answered Swiss search queries with AI-generated overviews. Watchdogs say limited transparency over the sources and design of these systems could give technology companies an increasingly influential role in democratic debate.

SWI swissinfo.ch

Swiss politics

Switzerland’s campaign over a proposal to enshrine perpetual armed neutrality in the constitution is heading towards a likely rejection, according to the first opinion poll. A separate food-policy initiative remains undecided ahead of the September vote, making the poll an important early indicator of the referendum campaign.

The Local Switzerland · +1 more