An immigration-curbing initiative has a chance of passing, the ‘immigration tax’ would be of no value to Switzerland, and vegetables in Swiss stores are polluted with PFAS. Catch up with these and other stories that The Local reported this week.
The hard-right immigration-curbing initiative has a chance of passing, a new poll shows
Though by a narrow margin, a right-wing bid to curb immigration to Switzerland looks likely to be accepted at the June 14th referendum.
The latest survey carried out among 16,000 people indicates that the measure will be approved by 52 percent of voters.
Supporters suggest the risks associated with immigration – including security, crime, as well as a burden placed on housing and other key infrastructure – are among their top concerns.
READ MORE: Majority of Swiss voters set to back anti-immigration proposal
Immigration tax would be of no value to Switzerland, government says
Swiss ministers have analysed a parliamentary report about the viability of proposed immigration tax – an ‘entry fee’ that foreign nationals would have to pay if they settle in Switzerland.
The Federal Council concluded that the report not only “does not identify any demonstrable economic benefits to Switzerland,” but also that “the introduction of an immigration tax would face numerous legal obstacles.”
READ MORE: Switzerland examines much-talked about immigration tax
More US citizens give up their passports because they don’t like Trump
Americans have been renouncing their citizenships for years, for tax reasons and other financial constraints imposed on them by the United States.
But a new trend has emerged: increasing numbers of US expats, including those living in Switzerland, are giving up their passports because of how they feel about President Trump.
Many are citing polarisation in the United States as the main reason for their decision to renounce.
READ MORE: More Americans in Switzerland renounce US passports – but not just because of taxes
Most vegetables in Swiss stores found to be contaminated with PFAS
An analysis conducted by a consumer magazine revealed that of the 25 products tested, 16 were contaminated with substances dangerous to human health – specifically, PFAS chemicals, often called ‘forever chemicals’.
The highest level of toxins was found in carrots and potatoes, with cucumbers, lettuce, and tomatoes slightly less contaminated but containing detectable amounts nevertheless.
The organic vegetables in the sample were generally less contaminated than conventional products.
SVP: Swiss people should have more children, work longer
If the proposal to cut immigration is accepted by Swiss voters, the subsequent demographic shift would impact the country’s labour shortage and pension fund reserves.
However, the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which instigated the ‘No to 10 million’ referendum (to be held on June 14th), says some solutions exist.
Concretely, it urges residents to counteract the low-birth trend by having more children, and proposes a push back of the statuary retirement age from 65 to 66.
READ MORE: How Switzerland’s hard-right wants to compensate for fewer immigrants
Swiss to vote on a new amendment to Civil Service law
The vote on immigrant numbers has been hogging the headlines, but there is another issue at stake in Switzerland’s June 14th referendum – a proposed amendment to the Civilian Service Act.
Basically, the government wants to tighten the requirements for the Civilian Service, with the aim of making this option less attractive than military or Civil Protection service.
The Federal Council and the Parliament would like to “ensure that civilian service remains an exception” and the proposed amendment “aims to reduce the number of people opting for civilian service”.
READ MORE: The ‘other’ issue Swiss will vote on in the June referendum
