Proponents of a people’s initiative that seeks equal tax treatment for married and unmarried couples have withdrawn it in favour of relaunching a more gay-friendly version.
This content was published on
2 minutes
SDA-Keystone/ac
The formality, which was communicated to the governing Federal Council on Wednesday, was already announced last month by the Christian Democratic Party who were behind it. The initiative sought to prevent penalising a significant number of married couples who would pay less tax if they were taxed individually instead of as a unit.
The withdrawal of the text was a result of change of heart by Christian Democrats over the definition of marriage. The new text will also aim to end tax discrimination against married couples but will no longer define the institution as the lasting union of a man and a woman.
According to party’s president Gerhard Pfister, the text should benefit all married couples and people living in registered partnership, therefore also gay couples.
In 2016, the initiative was put to a national vote and failed by a slim majority. However, the Federal Court ordered a re-vote as information regarding the number of beneficiaries presented by the government was found to be inaccurate.
It was the first time in recent Swiss history that the Federal Court ordered an annulment of a nationwide vote result. A re-vote was expected this year no later than September. Instead, proponents will have to start from scratch and collect the 100,000 signatures needed relaunch the revised initiative.
More
More
Swiss government guilty of repeated miscalculation
This content was published on
For the first time in history, voters may have go back to the polls at the national level to decide for a second time on the same people’s initiative.
Living longer: What do you think about the longevity trend?
The longevity market is booming thanks in part to advances in the science of ageing. What do you think of the idea of significantly extending human lifespan?
In Switzerland more people are being referred to electrical therapies or psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Are there similar approaches where you live?
Swiss government backs down to industry outcry over energy security plans
This content was published on
Swiss electricity providers should no longer be obliged to fulfil strict liquidity and capital requirements to ensure energy security.
Switzerland sets aside more funds to protect religious minorities
This content was published on
Jewish and Muslim minorities as well as LGBTQ+ communities will temporarily receive increased state protection in Switzerland.
This content was published on
The Swiss are increasingly questioning traditional gender roles. Acceptance of same-sex parents has risen by 25 percentage points within ten years.
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
Christian Democrats demand re-run of marriage vote
This content was published on
The party has announced it is seeking a re-run of a 2016 national vote that narrowly rejected the idea of a tax break for married couples.
Government seeks to end ‘unequal’ taxation of married couples
This content was published on
The Swiss government wants to amend tax law to ensure equal fiscal treatment of married couples compared to unmarried cohabitating couples.
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.