WTO extension passes vote hurdle
Geneva residents have approved an extension project at World Trade Organization (WTO) headquarters in a city-wide vote.
A 61 per cent majority backed the plans, which are part of the WTO’s SFr130 million ($126 million) renovations.
Leftwing politicians who had initiated Sunday’s vote said the project would damage the city’s lakeside promenade.
But supporters said a rejection of the plans would send out the wrong signal to the many international organisations that call the city home and could force the WTO to move elsewhere.
The extension would be built on the WTO’s current parking lot and allow the WTO to move all its staff to its headquarters overlooking Lake Geneva. It would make room for another 300 employees, on top of the 800 currently based there.
The project still needs the approval of the cantonal authorities.
swissinfo.ch and agencies
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
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.