Swiss reject inheritance tax on ultra-wealthy; support female military service

On November 30, preliminary results revealed that Swiss citizens have dismissed two major proposals: a tax targeting the ultra-wealthy and extending mandatory military service to women. According to initial counts, almost 85% opposed compulsory service for women, while 79% rejected a proposed 50% inheritance tax on the wealthiest residents.

The inheritance tax would have applied to those receiving tax-free amounts exceeding 50 million Swiss Francs (around $62 million). Initiated by the youth division of the left-leaning Social Democrats, the plan intended to channel the revenue into national climate change initiatives. This tax would have impacted approximately 2,500 people, representing roughly 0.03% of Switzerland's population.

The proposal for compulsory service, named "For a Committed Switzerland," sought to include women in mandatory military or civilian roles, which currently only apply to men. The initiative would have expanded the types of service to include social and environmental contributions, such as assisting vulnerable groups, supporting disaster preparedness, and protecting the environment. Geneva-based organization servicecitoyen.ch introduced the initiative, gathering 107,613 signatures. It gained backing from the Liberal Greens, Evangelical Party, Pirate Party, and the youth wing of the Center Party.

Polls conducted ten days before the vote had already indicated widespread disapproval of both measures. Opponents of the inheritance tax argued that it could trigger a departure of wealthy individuals from Switzerland, harming the economy and negating any potential benefits from the tax revenue.

Author: Sophia Brooks