Referenda in Switzerland were held on March 3, 2013 [1] and June 9, 2013, September 22, 2013. Voters were asked if they supported (1) the federal order on family policy, (2) the amendment to the federal law on urban zoning [1] and (3) the “Minder initiative” to pay top managers of companies, which introduces shareholder control over the level of salary heads of companies [2] , including lifting bonuses for new managers and "golden parachutes" for the dismissed. [3] The issue of limiting bonuses paid to top managers of companies attracted the most attention. In a referendum on June 9, voters were asked if they supported (1) amendments to the asylum law, (2) direct elections to the Swiss Federal Council . [four]
The issue of family planning was approved by a majority vote, but rejected by a majority of the cantons. [5] Zoning was approved by a majority vote and did not require a majority of intra-canon votes. [6] The initiative to regulate the payment of top managers was approved by a majority vote and all cantons. [7] Amendments to the asylum law were approved by a majority vote. [8] The Direct Election Act for the Swiss Federal Council was rejected by a majority vote. [9]
Election System
In 11 cantons, Swiss citizens living abroad were able to vote online for the first time after this voting method was approved by the Swiss Federal Council in December 2012. [ten]
Campaign and Results
- The referendum on the abolition of compulsory military service showed that citizens do not want the abolition. At the same time, amendments were adopted on the operation of shops at gas stations and the law on epidemics.
Family Policy
On June 15, 2012, a federal family planning procedure was conducted. However, the federal government needs to introduce an amendment to the Constitution in order to work with cantonal governments to ensure a balance between work and personal life , improve day care facilities, and provide for family needs. [one]
| Do you support the federal government’s family policy? * | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes or no | Votes | Percent |
| Yes | 1,283,383 | 54.30% |
| Not | 1,078,895 | 45.70% |
| Total votes | - | 100.00% |
| Turnout | 45.6% | |
| Electorate | - | |
| Source: Familienpolitik | ||
- Rejected by most cantons.
Urban zoning
On June 15, 2012, an amendment to the federal law on urban zoning was introduced, which limits the land available in municipalities for development over the next 15 years. The amendment introduces a 20% land transaction tax for land owners for development. [one]
| Do you support the urban zoning amendment? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes or no | Votes | Percent |
| Yes | 1 615 720 | 67.90% |
| Not | 762 273 | 32.10% |
| Total votes | - | 100.00% |
| Turnout | 46% | |
| Electorate | - | |
| Source: Gegen die Abzockerei | ||
Paying Top Managers - Minder Initiative
Entrepreneur and politician Thomas Minder in 2006 launched the “Against Fraud, Profit and Unearned Income” initiative and collected 100,000 signatures needed to put the issue to a referendum. Proponents of Minder’s initiative believed that top managers of public companies paid huge bonuses instead of increasing the company's reserve fund or the amount of payment to shareholders. [11] The initiative was called the Minder Initiative, or the Fat Cat Initiative.
The Union of Swiss Economics (Economiesuisse) opposed the bonus limitation, which stated that limiting salaries and bonuses could lead to an outflow of talented top managers.
This issue especially attracted attention after the scandal in January 2013, when the outgoing chairman of the board of directors of the Swiss pharmaceutical company Novartis, Daniel Vasella, received 72 million francs ($ 78 million) as a golden parachute. This caused a storm of indignation in the country, after which Vasella was forced to refuse the bonus. The scandal almost predetermined the outcome of the referendum. [12]
| Do you support the initiative to pay top managers? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes or no | Votes | Percent |
| Yes | 1,476,723 | 62.90% |
| Not | 871 454 | 37.10% |
| Total votes | - | 100.00% |
| Turnout | 45.4% | |
| Electorate | - | |
| Source: Raumplanungsgesetz | ||
Asylum
Changes to the Asylum Act will give the Federal Government expanded powers to expedite the process. The right to seek asylum at Swiss embassies abroad, as well as with the exception of knowingly conscientious objectors to military service and deserters, was also abolished. The proposal was opposed by left-wing parties, trade unions, human rights groups and religious organizations. Prior to the referendum, opinion polls show support for the proposal by 57%. [13] Changes to the law were approved by almost 80% of voters. The referendum was held on June 9.
| Do you support the asylum initiative? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes or no | Votes | Percent |
| Yes | 1,572,690 | 78.4% |
| Not | 432,068 | 21.6% |
| Total votes | - | 100.00% |
| Turnout | 38.7% | |
| Electorate | - | |
| Source: Asylgesetzes | ||
Direct elections to the Swiss Federal Council
The proposal for direct elections to the Federation Council, which would include amendments to the Swiss Federal Constitution, was put forward by the Swiss People’s Party. Opinion polls in late May showed that 66% of voters are against. [13] The proposal was categorically rejected by 76% of voters. The referendum was held on June 9.
| Do you support the initiative for direct elections to the Federal Council of Switzerland? | ||
|---|---|---|
| Yes or no | Votes | Percent |
| Not | 1,549,716 | 76.3% |
| Yes | 480,477 | 23.7% |
| Total votes | - | 100.00% |
| Turnout | 26.3% | |
| Electorate | - | |
| Source: Bundesrates | ||
See also
- Switzerland referendum (2014)
Notes
- ↑ 1 2 3 4 Election Profile IFES
- ↑ Swiss edge towards binding vote Archived October 2, 2013 to Wayback Machine PIRC
- ↑ Majority of Swiss back "fat cat" pay curbs - poll
- ↑ IFES Election Guide - Election Profile for Switzerland . Date of treatment June 23, 2013. Archived July 3, 2013.
- ↑ Switzerland, March 3, 2013: Family politics Direct Democracy (German)
- ↑ Switzerland, March 3, 2013: Spatial planning law Direct Democracy (German)
- ↑ Swiss referendum backs executive pay curbs BBC News, 3 March 2013
- ↑ Swiss back tighter asylum rules
- ↑ Vorlage Nr. 570 - Vorläufige amtliche Endergebnisse . Date of treatment June 23, 2013. Archived July 3, 2013.
- ↑ CH: 11 cantons enable their voters residing abroad to vote online in March 2013 Global Center for ICT in Parliament
- ↑ Swiss decide whether top managers need to be limited in salaries
- ↑ Swiss referendum decided to limit salaries and bonuses of top managers
- ↑ 1 2 Asylum and cabinet reforms set for clear result