In brief

Starting position

Everyone in Switzerland receives the medical treatment they need. The costs are covered by compulsory health insurance. These costs have risen sharply in recent decades and so have health insurance premiums. Premiums are a growing burden for some people. Around a quarter of the population receives a premium reduction, which is financed by the federal government and the cantons. The federal government automatically increases its contribution if costs rise. The cantons only do this in some cases.   

The initiative

The initiative proposes that no one should pay more than 10 per cent of their disposable income on health insurance premiums. The Confederation and cantons should increase the premium reduction, with the Confederation paying at least two thirds of the reduction. This would require several billion francs of additional funding each year.

Indirect counter-proposal

The Federal Council and Parliament reject the initiative. Nevertheless, they have drawn up an indirect counter-proposal. Currently, the federal government automatically increases its contribution to premium reductions when the costs of compulsory health insurance rise. The cantons should do the same. The indirect counter-proposal requires them to make a minimum contribution to the premium reduction. This would result in additional costs of at least CHF 360 million for the cantons, but none for the federal government. A counter-proposal comes into force if the initiative is rejected and no referendum is requested.

In brief

Starting position

Everyone in Switzerland benefits from good medical care and receives the treatment they need. The costs are covered by compulsory health insurance. Since compulsory health insurance was introduced in 1996, medical costs have risen sharply, with health insurance premiums following suit. This is partly due to the ageing population, new forms of treatment and medicines, and the fact that these are being used more. However, this is also due to misguided incentives and inefficient structures.

The initiative

The initiative aims to introduce a cost brake. In future, salary trends and economic growth will determine how much the cost of compulsory health insurance can increase. The federal government, the cantons, health insurers and service providers must take steps to ensure that cost increases remain within reasonable limits. The initiative does not specify how salaries and economic development would be measured and what measures would be taken: this would have to be decided by Parliament when it draws up the relevant legislation.

Indirect counter-proposal

The Federal Council and Parliament reject the initiative. They have drawn up an indirect counter-proposal. Every four years, the Federal Council, in consultation with the stakeholders in the healthcare system, should determine how much the costs of compulsory health insurance should be allowed to rise. If the costs rise more sharply, the Federal Council and cantons will have to consider corrective measures. The counter-proposal comes into force if the initiative is rejected and no referendum is held.

In brief

Starting position

The coronavirus pandemic reached Switzerland in the spring of 2020. The Federal Council took some drastic measures to protect the population from the virus and prevent the healthcare system, especially hospitals, from being unable to cope. At the same time, researchers around the world began to develop vaccines against the new virus. Large sections of the population had high hopes for these vaccines and for vaccination as a way out of the pandemic. Others were opposed to vaccination. This initiative was launched in the political and social environment of autumn 2020.

The initiative

The initiative demands that the consent of the person concerned be obtained for invasive procedures that may affect their physical or mental integrity. Physical and mental integrity is already protected under the Constitution. The fundamental right to such integrity protects the body against interference by the state. According to the initiative, a person who refuses consent may neither be penalised nor disadvantaged. The text of the initiative does not refer to ‹vaccinations›, but to ‹invasions of physical and mental integrity› in general. It therefore covers any actions by the federal government, cantons and communes that involve physical contact or that have an impact on a person’s mental state, such as certain police activities or the penalties imposed under the criminal justice system. The specific consequences of a yes vote to the initiative would depend on how it is implemented and the legal precedent that developed.

In brief

Starting position

It has become more difficult to supply Switzerland with sufficient energy at all times. International conflicts and the restructuring of the electricity supply in Europe mean that we can experience shortages in the winter months if too little electricity can be imported. The demand for electricity in Switzerland has also grown, for example in industry, and also for electric vehicles and heat pumps. To ensure the security of the supply, Parliament has therefore passed the Federal Act on a Secure Electricity Supply from Renewable Energies. A referendum has been sought against this legislation.

The proposal

The proposed legislation prepares the ground for Switzerland to rapidly produce more electricity from renewable energy sources such as water, sun, wind and biomass. This is intended to consolidate the independence of our electricity supply. The bill includes funding instruments and new arrangements for producing, transporting, storing and consuming electricity. The expansion of solar power production is to take place primarily by installing panels on buildings. In suitable areas, there will be less strict planning conditions for wind power and large solar energy plants, which are particularly important for the electricity supply in winter. The 16 hydropower plants mentioned in the new legislation will also be subject to more relaxed planning conditions. This will increase the chances that a project can be realised even in the event of opposition. Popular votes on new energy projects remain possible.

More Information about this popular vote is on admin.ch (in German, French, Italian and Romanch).

Information and advice on voting correctly, frequent mistakes and ways of correcting them is on the page: How to complete a ballot paper correctly