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Switzerland Rejects Universal Citizen Service and 50% Inheritance Tax in Landslide Votes

The results reflect trust in official warnings about high costs, labor strains and economic risks.

Overview

  • Final tallies show about 84% voted against expanding mandatory national service to women and 78% opposed a federal 50% tax on inheritances and donations over 50 million francs.
  • Both proposals failed the required double majority, with most cantons rejecting the service initiative and no canton backing the tax plan.
  • Mandatory service in Switzerland remains male-only, with women continuing to serve on a voluntary basis under the existing system.
  • Government and parliamentary analyses projected the citizen-service plan would roughly double annual conscripts to about 70,000 and push related costs toward 2 billion francs.
  • The tax measure, promoted by the Socialist youth to fund climate policies, faced warnings about wealthy residents relocating and concerns over cantonal fiscal autonomy, with turnout reported near 43%.