Geneva, Switzerland (Genevalunch) – Switzerland votes Sunday 29 November on three issues: construction of minarets, Swiss arms sales abroad, spending airplane fuel tax revenues. The Swiss generally vote four times a year on a variety of federal issues. Voters will also have cantonal issues to decide Sunday: in Geneva, they will be asked to approve financing for two construction projects, Vaud votes on extending a nuclear power plant’s operations, Valais votes on a law governing tourism, and Neuchatel’s citizens will be asked to approve a new energy law.

Swiss-wide, minarets issue has sparked heated debate

The minaret initiative was proposed by the right-wing UDC (People’s Party), which wants to prohibit the construction of minarets in Switzerland.

This requires a constitutional amendment. They argue that there are already too many Muslims in Switzerland and that a minaret is the architectural expression of Islam’s pretended supremacy among religions. Most of the 130-160 Muslim cultural centres and places of worship do not have a minaret. There are presently four mosques with a minaret in the country. Building permission for a fifth in Langenthal, canton Bern was given, but has been contested.

The government’s position is that a vote against building minarets violates basic human and civil rights enshrined in the constitution. It would enflame relations between Christians and Muslims, most of whom live peacefully together, and it would be unfair to discriminate against Muslims, the government says. The issue has been widely covered by Swiss media in the vote run-up.

Arms exports ban sought

Arms exports should be banned, say the initiative’s organizers, Group for a Switzerland without an Army, who claim that Swiss weapons are exported to countries with bad human rights reputations often enough for it to be a problem. They cite several cases: Afghanistan, Pakistan and Darfur. The government counters that strict export controls are maintained and that 75 percent of the arms are exported to countries in Europe, North America and Australia that share Swiss values. It insists that a domestic arms industry is vital to maintaining Swiss independence. The proponents argue that significant portions of the Swiss arms industry already belong to foreign multinationals, giving the lie to the independence of the country’s arms industry.

In 2007, Switzerland exported CHF500 million worth of arms, and 5,100 people were directly employed in the industry.

Those in favour suggest that Switzerland can export other things, and that such material represents only 0.44 percent of Swiss merchandise exports. They propose that the government give economic assistance to the concerned regions and workers for 10 years after the initiative is adopted.

Tax on airplane fuel could move away from road funds

The government is proposing a change in the constitution to allow about CHF40 million per year in tax revenues, which now go into the highway fund, to be used to finance air travel-related needs. These would include protection against terrorism and environmental improvements in the airline industry. The tax levied on airplane fuel is currently paid by private airplane owners and domestic commercial flights. Of the money raised, 50 percent now goes into general revenues and the rest is to the highway fund.

Genevans vote on two construction projects

Geneva’s citizens vote on financing two separate construction projects: a tunnel under the village of Vezenaz, on the left bank of Lake Geneva and a light rail project. The second would connect Geneva’s main train station to Annemasse in neighbouring France and beyond. Both motions have been approved by the government, but are opposed by a vociferous minority.

In Vezenas, the Geneva Green party opposes the tunnel because it does not solve the overriding problem of traffic into Geneva by thousands of cross-border workers.

The Ceva rail project has been on the books for more than 100 years. It would connect downtown Geneva’s Cornavin station by light rail to neighbouring France’s main urban centre, Annemasse, via the station at Eaux-Vives (Cornavin-Eaux-Vives-Annemasse), and create a corridor to bring construction and jobs. The project’s opponents argue in their referendum for a new look at the project as conceived, and say that the same goals could be achieved with less money.

Vaud considers extending the life of a nuclear power plant

The citizens of Vaud decide on whether to extend the operations of a nuclear power plant at Muehleberg near Bern beyond 2012. The plant entered into service in 1972, and its operator must ask for periodic permission to extend its operations. It delivers about 11 percent of nuclear-sourced electricity to the national grid, most of which is consumed in Western Switzerland. Vaud’s executive voted in favour of extending operations, the cantonal parliament narrowly against. The vote is non-binding because the national government decides on nuclear power issues, but the cantons involved must be polled, by law.

Valais tourism proposals sparks fiscal arguments

Voters in Valais are considering a new law on tourism, which was voted by the cantonal parliament in December 2008. The law foresees a new structure for the tourism industry in Valais, as well as new means of financing tourism there. The law has raised a heated debate in Valais because of financial and fiscal issues. Tourism represents 25 percent of the canton’s economy, and 27 percent of the populatino depends on tourism for its livelihood.

Energy vote in Neuchatel could cut consumption

In Neuchatel, voters are being asked to approve a new energy law that foresees a reduction in energy consumption to 2000 watts per day by 2050, by mandating increased energy-efficiency and various green measures. It brings the law partially into line with federal standards.

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