The leftwing Young Socialist group has handed in the necessary signatures to force a nationwide vote on its proposal to increase tax on capital revenue in Switzerland.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/urs
Español
es
Proponer gravar dividendos de los suizos más ricos
The initiative intends to tax dividends and interest on wealth by a factor of 1.5 compared with regular income tax.
The campaigners argue that the wealth gap between the rich and average-earners has been growing dramatically, especially because of low tax competition between the 26 cantons which levy taxes autonomously.
“It is time to introduce a fair tax system. Ninety-nine percent of the population must earn a salary to make a living. They work for the wealthiest 1% of the citizens,” said Tamara Funiciello, president of the Young SocialistsExternal link, on Tuesday.
The extra revenue should be used to ease the tax burden on low and medium-income earners, according to the initiative committee.
The group said it had collected more than 134,000 signatures during its campaign for tax justice, which began in October 2017.
Parliament still has to debate the initiative before the government sets a date for a vote.
Pension benefits
In a separate move, a people’s initiative has been launched to overhaul the mandatory occupational pension scheme.
The campaigners, including mainly rightwing and centre-right politicians, want to introduce a flexible minimum interest rate on accumulated pension capital, scrapping the current rate fixed at 6.8%.
The aim is to adapt pension benefits and the retirement age to general life expectancy in a bid to create a “sustainable and fair system”, according to the initiative committee.
The mandatory occupational pension scheme is part of Switzerland’s three-tier social security system, but experts have warned that the growing number of older people is putting the onus on the young generation to finance pensions.
More
More
Corporate tax and pension reform: a complex two-headed vote
This content was published on
Two years after a corporate tax overhaul was rejected by voters, the issue is back before the electorate – this time linked to pension reform.
University students in Switzerland join Gaza protest wave
This content was published on
Pro-Palestinian activists occupied university buildings in Lausanne, Geneva and Zurich on Tuesday, widening the protest movement in the Alpine nation.
TradeXBank to resume full operations after Sberbank Switzerland taken off sanctions list
This content was published on
TradeXBank, the former Swiss branch of Russia’s Sberbank, will be able to resume its dollar-denominated activities from the second half of this year.
Geneva decides not to remove controversial memorials
This content was published on
The city of Geneva has presented an action plan regarding a series of controversial local statues and monuments of historical figures linked to racism, colonialism or slavery.
University of Lausanne calls for end to pro-Palestine sit-in
This content was published on
The pro-Palestinian occupation continues at the University of Lausanne (UNIL). On Monday evening, a group of students refused to agree to the deadline set by the rectorate.
Ukraine peace conference should include Russia, says Chinese ambassador
This content was published on
China supports a peace conference on the Ukraine war that would see equal participation of all parties, says Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui.
This content was published on
A majority of Swiss citizens have open attitudes towards various infertility treatments, including even egg donation, which is currently prohibited.
Reports of Swiss cyber fraud almost doubled in six months
This content was published on
The head of the new Federal Office for Cybersecurity (FOC), Florian Schütz, has presented a new strategy after just over four months in office.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Handful of new people’s initiatives start signature collecting
This content was published on
Four popular initiatives are starting to collect signatures. The proposals range from animal testing to health insurance and wealth redistribution.
Unions lend weight to fight against corporate tax reforms
This content was published on
Trade unions and leftwing political parties are challenging a corporate tax reform, approved by parliament in September, to a nationwide vote.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.