Listening: The final stretch before the March 8 vote
Dear Swiss Abroad,
The first “voting Sunday” of the year is approaching – and it promises to be an exciting one.
Several questions remain wide open. Opposition to the SBC initiative has grown slightly: 54% of voters say they would reject the proposal, which seeks a reduction in the radio and TV licence fee from CHF335 ($435) to CHF200 per year and per household, according to the second nationwide survey published on February 25 (see below). The initiative’s strongest backing comes from supporters of the Swiss People’s Party, while the “no” camp has been steadily gaining ground across almost all demographic groups.
Despite this trend, the gfs.bern research institute remains cautious. “Many indicators suggest that the SBC initiative will be rejected, but we cannot guarantee it,” says political scientist Martina Mousson.
The initiative on individual taxation for married couples is proving even more suspenseful. After an early lead, support has slipped throughout the campaign. Today, only 52% of respondents say they would vote in favour of the proposal - a level that may not be sufficient to secure approval at the ballot box.
The situation appears clearer for the remaining two issues being decided on March 8: the counter-proposal to the "Cash is freedom" initiative is likely to pass, while the climate fund initiative has virtually no chance of securing a majority. Get ready for a tense voting Sunday by consulting the latest polls, revisiting our explainer articles, or watching our recorded debate.
Happy reading,
This content was published on
2 minutes
As a correspondent at the Federal Palace for SWI swissinfo.ch, I report on federal politics for the Swiss Abroad.
After studying at the Academy of Journalism and Media at the University of Neuchâtel, my career path initially took me to various regional media, working in the editorial offices of Journal du Jura, Canal 3 and Radio Jura bernois. Since 2015, I have been working in the multilingual editorial department of SWI swissinfo.ch, where I continue to practise my profession with passion.
Explainer: Swiss to vote on initiative to cut media licence fee
This content was published on
The “SBC initiative” would reduce the licence fee for households and abolish it for companies. What are the arguments for and against?
Swiss to vote on preserving cash as a payment system
This content was published on
On March 8, the Swiss will decide whether the availability of cash should be enshrined in the constitution. An explainer.
Explainer: Should some of Switzerland’s wealth be set aside to fight climate change?
This content was published on
On March 8, Swiss voters will decide on an initiative to create a fund to accelerate the development of renewable energy in Switzerland. An explainer.
Swiss are going cashless despite attachment to paper money
This content was published on
Switzerland is advanced in the digitalisation of transactions compared with other countries, but cash is still seen as an indispensable safe haven.
Most Swiss Abroad are already familiar with individual taxation
This content was published on
On March 8, Swiss voters will decide whether to replace the current system of joint taxation of married couples with individual taxation, an approach already familiar to most Swiss living abroad.
How are married couples taxed in your country of residence? What are the pros and cons of this system?
On March 8, the Swiss will vote on the introduction of individual taxation for married couples. We’d like to know what the system is like where you live.
This content was published on
Living outside Switzerland doesn’t mean losing your right to vote. Yet only a small percentage of Swiss citizens living abroad actually cast their ballots. Here’s a short guide on how to vote from abroad.
Voting from abroad: How to register for Swiss elections
This content was published on
Switzerland grants voting rights to its citizens living abroad. If you want to exercise your voting rights, you must first get on the electoral register.
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.