2013 Swiss referendums

March referendums

The first three national referendums in 2013 were held on 3 March, with voters asked whether they supported a federal order on family policy, an amendment to the federal law on spatial planning, and a popular initiative on executive pay that would introduce binding shareholder votes on salary levels, as well as banning golden hellos for new employees and golden parachutes for departing staff. The planning question was approved by a majority of voters and did not require a cantonal majority. The executive pay initiative was approved by around two-thirds of voters and all cantons.

Proposals

Family policy

On 15 June 2012 a federal order was passed on family planning. It would make an amendment to the Swiss Constitution requiring the federal government to work with cantonal governments to promote work–life balance and improve the provision of day care, as well as ensuring the needs of families are considered in government policies.

Planning

On 15 June 2012 an amendment to the federal law on spatial planning was passed, which limited the amount of land available to communities for development purposes to that equivalent needed for the next fifteen years. It also introduced a 20% tax rate on land transactions for owners of land for development.

Executive pay

Main article: Swiss executive pay referendum, 2013

The proposals were conceived by Thomas Minder, who launched a campaign in 2008 following significant losses at UBS, which were blamed on a bonus culture leading to excessive risk-taking by managers.

• require an annual vote by shareholders for the president and other members of the management board of directors, members of the remuneration committee, and any advisory board and executive officers of the organisation.
• require the articles of association to include bonus schemes and pay plans for directors and executive officers, any loans granted to such employees, the number of mandates outside the organisation, and the duration of employment contracts of executive officers.
• ban advance and severance packages.
• ban corporate proxy and the representation of shareholders by depository banks.
• require pension funds to disclose the way it votes, and to vote in the interests of pension policyholders.

Polls in January 2013 suggested that a majority was in favour of the proposals, although they were opposed by the Economiesuisse business lobby and the Swiss government. Supporters of the initiative spent 200,000 Swiss Francs, while opponents spent 8 million Swiss Francs in their campaign to block reform.

Electoral system

Eleven cantons allowed overseas voters to vote online after the Federal Council approved the method in December 2012.

Results

June referendums

Two referendums were held on 9 June on a popular initiative on introducing direct elections to the Federal Council, and on amendments to the Asylum Act.

Proposals

Asylum law amendments

The changes to the Asylum Law would give the Federal government increased powers to speed up the process. It would also abolish the right to apply for asylum at Swiss embassies overseas, as well as excluding conscientious objectors and deserters from applying.

The proposals were opposed by left-wing parties, trade unions, human rights groups and church groups. Prior to the referendum, opinion polls showed support for the proposals at 57%.

Direct election of the Federal Council

The proposal for direct election of the Federal Council, which would involve amending the Swiss Federal Constitution, was put forward by the Swiss People's Party. Opinion polls in late May showed 66% of voters opposed.

Results

September referendums

Three federal referendums were held on 22 September 2013. The abolition of compulsory military service was rejected, whilst an amendment to epidemia law and an increase in the opening hours of petrol station shops were both approved.

Results

November referendums

Three referendums were held on 24 November on a proposed increase in road tax, limiting the highest salary in a company to twelve times the lowest salary, and tax credits for stay-at-home parents. All three were rejected by voters.

Results

References

References

1. [http://electionguide.org/election.php?ID=2336 Election Profile] IFES
2. [http://www.pirc.co.uk/news/swiss-edge-towards-binding-vote Swiss edge towards binding vote] {{Webarchive. link. (2013-10-02 PIRC)
3. de
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5. [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21647937 Swiss referendum backs executive pay curbs] BBC News, 3 March 2013
6. [https://web.archive.org/web/20160307033729/http://uk.reuters.com/article/swiss-regulation-pay-idUKL6N0AI1HD20130113 Majority of Swiss back "fat cat" pay curbs - poll] Reuters, 13 January 2013
7. (24 January 2013). "Initiative gegen "Abzocker": Minders Kampf".
8. (31 January 2013). "Eine Watsche für die da oben".
9. [http://www.ictparliament.org/node/6706 CH: 11 cantons enable their voters residing abroad to vote online in March 2013] Global Centre for ICT in Parliament
10. [http://www.electionguide.org/election.php?ID=2364 Election Profile] IFES
11. [http://www.swissinfo.ch/eng/swiss_news/Asylum_and_cabinet_reforms_set_for_clear_verdict.html?cid=35973628 Asylum and cabinet reforms set for clear verdict] Swiss Info, 29 May 2013
12. The changes to the law were ultimately approved by almost 80% of voters.[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-22832616 Swiss back tighter asylum rules] BBC News, 9 June 2013
13. [http://www.parlament.ch/d/wahlen-abstimmungen/volksabstimmungen/volksabstimmungen-2013/abstimmung-2013-09-22/seiten/default.aspx Referendums on 22 September 2013] {{Webarchive. link. (6 March 2014 Swiss Parliament, 28 June 2013 {{in lang). de
14. [http://www.thelocal.ch/20130710/voters-to-decide-on-motorway-tax-in-november Voters to decide on road tax hike in November] The Local, 12 July 2013
15. [https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/nov/14/swiss-divide-1-12-executive-pay-referendum Swiss divided as 1:12 executive pay referendum nears] The Guardian, 14 November 2013
16. [http://www.electionguide.org/elections/id/208/ Swiss Confederation Referendum] IFES