Airforce probably won’t have its wings clipped
Swiss voters are likely to reject a proposal on banning the noise of air force jets in mountainous areas when they cast their ballot on the issue on February 24.
A poll carried out for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation found that 55 per cent of voters intended to vote against the proposal, 34 per cent were in favour and 11 per cent had not yet decided.
The initiative, put forward by environmentalist Franz Weber, wants to stop the air force from carrying out training flights with FA-18 jet planes in areas like the Bernese Oberland and in Canton Valais. Weber says the noise they create is unbearable.
The army says the initiative would violate the army’s right to train in its own country.
Swiss voters are also to decide on a proposed reform of corporate tax which would give tax breaks for capital gains.
The poll showed that 46 per cent of voters were in favour of the reform, while 31 per cent were against, and 23 per cent had not yet decided.
The poll also predicted a relatively low turnout of only 41 per cent.
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