Swiss reject inheritance tax on ultra-wealthy; support female military service
- Last update: 12/01/2025
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- Politics
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.
Analysis: Swiss Citizens Reject Major Proposals
On November 30, Swiss citizens decisively rejected two major proposals that would have significantly impacted both the wealthiest individuals and gender equality in the country. The results show a clear stance against expanding military service and imposing a hefty inheritance tax on the ultra-wealthy, with nearly 85% voting against the former and 79% rejecting the latter. This decision underscores the Swiss preference for maintaining the status quo in key areas of national policy.
The proposed inheritance tax, which would have levied a 50% tax on inheritances above 50 million Swiss Francs (approximately $62 million), was intended to finance national climate initiatives. While this may have been seen as a progressive move to tackle climate change, it faced strong opposition from those who feared it would lead to an exodus of wealthy residents, damaging the country's economy. Furthermore, only about 0.03% of Switzerland's population would have been directly affected, making it a rather niche proposal.
Similarly, the proposal to include women in compulsory military or civilian service also failed to gain significant support. Currently, Switzerland’s military service is only mandatory for men, and the initiative sought to extend this requirement to women. Although the plan aimed to address gender equality by offering various forms of service, including social and environmental contributions, the overwhelming rejection reflects a reluctance to alter established national policies, particularly those related to defense.
These results highlight the challenges faced by progressive proposals in Switzerland, even when they are backed by climate-conscious or gender-equal goals. Public opinion, shaped by concerns over economic stability and national identity, remains a significant barrier to such reforms. This vote serves as a reminder that Swiss citizens place high value on maintaining their economic model and social structures, even when faced with calls for change.
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