Swiss People Say No to New Taxes and Women's Mandatory Service

In a recent vote, Swiss citizens turned down two significant changes:

1. New Tax on Wealthiest Families

• Proposal: A new tax on inheritances over 50 million Swiss francs, taking half of the amount.
• Purpose: Funds were intended to combat climate change.
• Outcome: Most voters opposed this idea.

2. Women's Service Mandate

• Proposal: Extending mandatory military or civilian service to women, including new types of service like environmental work and assisting people in need.
• Outcome: 84% of voters rejected this proposal.

Why Did These Ideas Fail?

• Too Radical: The changes were seen as too drastic.
• Lack of Support: The government and political parties did not back these initiatives.
• Predicted Outcome: A pre-vote poll accurately forecasted the rejection.

Details on Each Proposal

Inheritance Tax

• Proposed By: Young members of the Social Democrats.
• Intention: Use the tax revenue for climate change projects.
• Public Opinion: Many deemed the tax on inheritances too harsh.

Women's Service

• Supported By: A group called servicecitoyen.ch.
• Effort: Over 100,000 signatures were collected to put it on the ballot.
• Public Opinion: Most voters did not support mandatory service for women.

Conclusion

Both proposals had noble intentions, but Swiss citizens ultimately decided they were not ready for these changes.