Voter decisions approaching on foreigners' rights and noisy leaf-blowing equipment in various Swiss cantons and cities
In a series of upcoming referendums, Swiss voters will decide on a range of federal and local issues that span from electronic identity cards to environmental policies.
At the federal level, voters will be asked to decide on two issues: the introduction of electronic identity cards and the imputed rental value tax. No prior context was provided regarding these issues.
Moving to the local level, the city of Zurich will present voters with three proposals. The first is a public transport subscription cap for adults, set at 365 francs, with a reduced cost for children and young people's subscriptions. Additionally, a ban on leaf blowers except during the autumn months is proposed. The Swiss People Party (SVP) in Zurich views the planned leaf blower ban as a "parody of democracy."
In the city of Basel-City, located between two EU countries, Germany and France, there is an initiative to include a commitment to "good and stable" relations between Switzerland and the European Union in the cantonal constitution. The SVP in Vaud is against this change, stating that the right to vote is the culmination of the integration process and is acquired with Swiss nationality. The opponents of this initiative in Basel-City argue that cooperation with neighboring countries is already well regulated and do not see the need for an additional constitutional article, labelling it a "silly initiative."
Meanwhile, in the canton of Solothurn, families may receive childcare vouchers, financed by municipalities with a 40% contribution from the canton, benefiting approximately 90% of families. However, opponents of the childcare voucher measure, including the Radical-Liberal Party, argue it will incur massive additional costs and lead to an increase in cantonal taxes.
Lastly, a proposal has been accepted to facilitate the municipal political rights of foreigners in Vaud, shortening the residence requirement to vote and hold elections at the communal level from 10 years in Switzerland and 3 years in the canton, to 5 years in Switzerland and 1 year in the canton.
These referendums highlight the diverse range of issues that Swiss voters will decide upon in the coming days, from environmental policies to immigration and foreign relations. Stay tuned for more updates as the results come in.
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