Popular votes on 28 November 2021: The results of the three proposals
The Swiss electorate voted on the nursing initiative, the judge initiative and the amendment of 19 March 2021 to the COVID-19 Act. The Fifth Switzerland votes similarly to the country as a whole, which, at around 65%, recorded the fourth-highest voter turnout since 1971.
Nursing initiative
On 28 November the Swiss electorate will vote on the nursing initiative. In view of the major challenges facing nurses, the initiative calls on the Confederation and the cantons to do more to support them. More trained nursing professionals are required to maintain quality standards, and they must be encouraged to remain in the profession for longer.
The positions
The Federal Council and parliament believe this initiative goes too far, particularly with regard to the regulation of working conditions by the Confederation. They are making an indirect counter-proposal under which more nurses would be trained and develop additional skills, without costs and premiums rising as a result.
The initiative committee emphasises the longstanding nature of the nursing crisis. Too few nurses are being trained, and too many are leaving the profession after just a few years. The supporters of the initiative feel the indirect counter-proposal is inadequate, as it does not include measures to encourage nurses to remain in the profession for longer.
Find out more on the Federal Council website.
Judge initiative
On 28 November the Swiss electorate will vote on the judge initiative. Its supporters are calling for a new election process for federal judges whereby they would in future be selected by drawing lots. Parliament currently elects federal judges every six years, and seeks to maintain appropriate representation for the political parties in proportion to their support among the electorate.
The positions
According to the initiative committee this election process compromises the independence of the judiciary, as federal judges fear that they may not be re-elected. The committee is also critical of the fact that judges with no party affiliation have no prospect of being elected.
The Federal Council and parliament believe that drawing lots is unsuitable for selecting federal judges, and that it is random rather than democratic. They say there is no evidence of biased judgements being made by federal judges, and that the present system is tried and tested.
Find out more on the Federal Council website.
Results of the Fifth Switzerland
The judge initiative is clearly rejected, with only just under 32% of the Swiss saying yes. The Fifth Switzerland registers only a slightly higher amount of Yes votes with 33.1%.
Find out more in the artcile of swissinfo.ch in German or French and on the Federal Chancellery's website in German or French.
COVID-19 Act
On 28 November the Swiss electorate will vote on the Amendment of 19 March 2021 to the COVID-19 Act. By passing the COVID-19 Act in the form of emergency law valid for a temporary six-month period, the Federal Council was able to create the legal basis for its coronavirus measures and implement them immediately. The March 2021 amendment to the Act expanded financial support, permitted the further development of contact tracing, established support for testing and the assumption of testing costs by the Confederation, and created the legal basis for the Covid certificate (for people who have recovered, been vaccinated or recently tested negative) required by the Confederation.
The positions
The Federal Council and parliament recommend the electorate approve the amendment to the Act, arguing that it would close loopholes in support and that the Covid certificate would make it easier to travel abroad and hold events.
The referendum committee believes the existing legislation is sufficient and the March 2021 amendment to the Act is unnecessary and extreme. The fear is that it will lead to a two-tier Switzerland and mass surveillance of the population.
Find out more on the Federal Council website.
Results of the Fifth Switzerland
The amendment of 19 March 2021 to the COVID-19 Act is clearly approved. With less than 32% voting against, the Swiss Abroad are even more clearly in favour of the amendment than Switzerland as a whole.
Find out more in the artcile of swissinfo.ch in German or French and on the Federal Chancellery's website in German or French.