Switzerland votes on replacing men’s military service with compulsory civic duty for all and a new climate tax on large inheritances
BERN: Swiss voters will decide on Sunday whether to replace men’s current military service requirement with a compulsory civic duty for all citizens.
A second initiative proposes new taxes on the super-rich to finance climate change efforts, with both measures facing likely rejection according to recent polls.
The Civic Duty initiative aims to require every Swiss citizen, regardless of gender, to perform national service in either military or civilian capacities.
Committee head Noemie Roten told AFP the initiative seeks “true equality” and would strengthen social cohesion.
She described the current system as discriminatory against both men and women, who miss out on valuable networks and experiences gained during service.
Opponents argue the measure would worsen existing imbalances rather than enhance equality.
Cyrielle Huguenot of the Swiss Trade Union Federation said Swiss women already dedicate 60% of their time to unpaid tasks, unlike men.
“And now you are asking women to provide even more unpaid service. This would only exacerbate the imbalance,” she told AFP.
The government opposes both initiatives, warning they would entail huge costs and potentially threaten the economy.
Bern estimates doubling the number of recruits would double the cost of Switzerland’s current militia system.
Roten countered that with more participants, service duration could be shortened, “cutting costs”.
She maintained national civic duty would be “an investment” boosting Swiss resilience during catastrophes.
The cost of not being prepared, she warned, “will be counted in lives”.
The second ballot item proposes a 50% inheritance tax on amounts exceeding 50 million Swiss francs to fund climate initiatives.
Campaign posters carry messages like “Tax the rich, save the climate” and “The ultra-rich inherit billions, we inherit crises!”.
Opponents warn wealthy individuals might leave Switzerland to avoid the tax, potentially weakening the economy.
The latest gfs.bern survey shows 64% oppose the civic duty initiative and 68% oppose the climate tax measure. – AFP
