Cantonal votes: Genevans could see rents go up

Bern, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – Retirement benefits should not be cut, research on human beings should be coordinated at the federal level and the Swiss Confederation does not need a lawyer to represent animals’ rights: these were the three decisions by Swiss voters Sunday 7 March. The Swiss went to the polls in the first of four federal voting sessions in 2010. The strong popular vote against cutting pensions offered a good reminder to the government and parliament of how direct democracy continues to give the people a say in legislative changes.

Two of the items on the federal ballot came from the government, parliament had voted for them, and Bern encouraged voters to accept them, but the animal rights one was a popular initiative. The Swiss population can demand that items be put to a popular vote if they gather enough signatures.

In the case of the animal rights ballot, both houses of Parliament had already voted strongly against it.

The real surprise was the strength of the vote against the pension plan reform, with 73 percent of voters refusing it, despite lawmakers’ support. It would have fixed the interest rate that determines how much new pensioners receive.

Some cantons and communes added their own items to the ballots, although there were fewer of these in some polling sessions. Geneva voted in favour of requiring building owners to meet energy efficiency standards, which could result in a hike in rents. The vote was close, passing by 52 percent, with city-centre voters against it, but suburban voters for it. Vaud had several communal votes, mainly on villages merging administratively, but there were no cantonal votes.

The Swiss will vote again 13 June, 26 September and 28 November.

Links to other sites: Swiss federal government votes (Fre), Geneva voting (Fre), swissinfo, TDG (Fre), Le Temps (Fre)

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