Swiss Vote Tests Universal Civic Duty and a 50% Inheritance Tax on the Ultra‑Rich

Switzerland held a nationwide ballot asking voters whether to replace its men‑only military conscription with a universal civic duty for all citizens and whether to introduce a steep inheritance tax on the very wealthy to fund climate measures.

Neither proposal was widely expected to pass: recent polls showed around 64% of respondents opposed the civic‑duty plan and 68% opposed the inheritance tax. Still, both initiatives provoked wide debate about equality, social cohesion and how best to finance an ecological transition.

Under Switzerland's system of direct democracy, citizens can put an issue to a nationwide vote after collecting 100,000 signatures. The federal government and parliament recommended rejecting both measures, warning they would carry high public costs and could harm the economy.

Most Swiss cast ballots in advance; polling stations on the day opened briefly and closed at midday, with initial nationwide results expected by mid‑afternoon.

Proposal 1: Universal Civic Duty

The "Civic Duty" initiative proposed mandatory national service for every Swiss citizen, men and women alike, with options including military service, civil protection, organized civilian service, or volunteer emergency roles such as firefighting. Backers argued this would foster social cohesion and deliver "true equality" by giving all young people access to the networks and practical experience currently available mainly to men.

Noemie Roten, head of the initiative committee: "Requiring every citizen to serve — in the army, civil protection, civil service or as a volunteer firefighter — will strengthen our shared bonds and ensure equal opportunity."

Opponents countered that the proposal would exacerbate existing gender imbalances by adding unpaid obligations to women, who already perform most unpaid care and household work, and that it could impose significant administrative and financial burdens.

Proposal 2: Inheritance Tax to Fund Climate Action

The "initiative for a future," put forward by the youth wing of the Socialist Party, sought a 50% tax on inheritances exceeding 50 million Swiss francs (about $63 million), a levy estimated to affect roughly 2,500 households and to raise about 6 billion CHF annually. Proponents said the revenue would finance renovations for energy efficiency, expand renewable energy, and enhance public transportation to help Switzerland meet climate goals.

Proponents: The levy could provide a stable funding stream for an ecological transformation of the economy, from upgrading buildings to green infrastructure.

Critics argued the measure risked prompting wealthy residents to relocate, shrinking the tax base, and could unfairly burden heirs taking over family businesses. They also warned of broader economic consequences if high‑net‑worth individuals left the country to avoid the tax.

What It Means

Both initiatives raised fundamental questions about how Switzerland balances social solidarity, equality and economic competitiveness. Even without a likely passage, the debates highlighted tensions over gender roles, public finance and the responsibilities of wealth in addressing climate change.