Switzerland is in throes of ‘signature scandal’
The country has been shaken by a recent revelation that signatures on some petitions involving popular initiatives were forged.
Often, these signatures are collected by volunteers from the group that spearheads the initiative.
But sometimes, this task is ‘outsourced’ to companies, which are paid by the number of signatures they manage to collect.
It is suspected that the forgery originates with the latter.
According to allegations, thousands of signatures for popular initiatives had been forged, with around a dozen federal votes held based on those fake signatures.
READ ALSO: Have Switzerland’s popular referendums been rigged?
Swiss to vote on controversial pension reform
In the third round of 2024 referendums to be held on September 22nd, Swiss voters will have to decide whether the second-pillar pension should be reformed. But the issue is complex and highly controversial.
It is divisive because it is believed by some that this measure, if implemented, would benefit a relatively small number of people and have negative impact on the majority.
Some calculations even found that for many people, annuities would drop by about 3,240 francs a year on average.
READ ALSO: Who would benefit if Switzerland votes for pension reform?
Driving is cheaper in Switzerland than a train ride
Train prices have soared in Switzerland, making car travel more economical, which is contrary to the government’s objective of shifting traffic from road to rail.
This is the finding of Switzerland’s official price monitor, who analysed the figures and compared the cost of both methods of transport.
He found that the price of train tickets and travel cards soared in the last 10 years, while the cost of car journeys has increased only minimally during this period.
“The price/cost evolution between rail and road seen in the last 10 years continues to worsen,” he said.
READ ALSO: Why has train travel in Switzerland become more expensive than driving?
Swiss electricity prices will drop in 2025
Due to lower global energy supply after Russia attacked Ukraine in February 2022, energy prices in Europe climbed substantially.
In Switzerland, they increased by 20 percent on average in 2023 and 18 percent this year, taking out a big chunk of many families’ budgets.
However, after these considerable price hikes in the past two years, electricity tariffs will drop by an average of 10 percent in 2025.
This means that for a ‘typical’ household, which annually consumes 4,500 kWh, electricity bill will be 141 francs lower compared to 2024.
The actual prices, however, will be determined by the community of residence, the size of dwelling, as well as the production capacity of the local electricity provider.
READ ALSO: How much could electricity prices fall by in your part of Switzerland?
Rents in Switzerland are highest in 30 years
Switzerland’s housing situation has been dire for a while but, far from improving, it is actually deteriorating.
The rental market in Switzerland is under increasing pressure — and the situation is becoming increasingly more dramatic.
In 2022, for instance, only 33,532 apartments were approved for construction. This may sound like a lot, but according to economist Fredy Hasenmaile, this the worst figure in 20 years.
Housing shortage is reflected above all in an increase in the rents.
Between April and June of this year, for instance, rents were 6.4 percent higher than at the same time in 2023, recording the biggest hike in over 30 years.
READ ALSO: How new renters are paying the price of the housing shortage
And also:
Switzerland’s largest public festival will take place in Zurich this weekend — Knabenschiessen, which is steeped in long tradition.
This article will provide more information about this annual event and may inspire you to go to Zurich and…give it a shot!
READ ALSO : Should you go to Zurich’s shooting festival this year?
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