Swiss Voters Reject Inheritance Tax and Female Military Service

Swiss voters decisively rejected a proposed inheritance tax on ultra-wealthy residents and declined to extend mandatory military service to women, according to preliminary poll results released on November 30, 2023. Approximately 85% of the electorate opposed the introduction of compulsory military or civic service for females, while 79% voted against implementing a 50% inheritance tax targeting the wealthiest Swiss citizens.

The proposed inheritance tax would have applied to individuals inheriting amounts over 50 million Swiss Francs, equivalent to just over $62 million. This initiative, introduced by the youth wing of the leftist Social Democrats, aimed to allocate the generated funds towards climate change mitigation efforts in Switzerland. Approximately 2,500 individuals, making up about 0.03% of the population, would have been affected by this tax.

Female Military Service Proposal Rejected

The rejected military service proposal, known as “For a committed Switzerland,” sought to extend mandatory military or civilian service to women, who are currently exempt from this requirement. This initiative proposed not only military service but also opportunities to engage in civic activities that benefit society, such as environmental protection, aiding vulnerable citizens, and disaster prevention efforts. The Geneva-based organization servicecitoyen.ch spearheaded the proposal, which garnered significant support, including a petition with over 107,600 signatures.

Support for this measure came from various political factions, including the Liberal Greens, the Evangelical Party, the Pirate Party, and the youth wing of the Center Party. Despite this backing, polling conducted ten days before the elections indicated a strong opposition to both proposals.

Critics of the inheritance tax raised concerns that its implementation could trigger an exodus of wealthy individuals from Switzerland, potentially causing significant economic repercussions. They argued that any revenue generated by the tax would be outweighed by the loss in spending from those who might leave the country.

The results of this referendum illustrate the Swiss electorate’s stance on wealth distribution and gender equality in civic responsibilities. As Switzerland continues to navigate these complex issues, the recent votes reflect a broader sentiment regarding taxation and social service obligations.