Party wants foreigners to help finance the Swiss army
Switzerland’s military needs an additional 4 billion francs to improve its operational capability.
But where should this money from?
The Swiss People’s Party (SVP) parliamentary group is calling for foreign men who live in Switzerland to pay a so-called “security tax,” to be used for the needs of the army.
It can be likened to the military exemption tax levied on Swiss nationals who are not serving in the army.
MPs from the Liberal-Radical (FDP) and Centre parties also agree with this idea, especially as “there are many foreigners who grow up here and postpone their naturalisation so that they don’t have to do military service,” said FDP deputy Heinz Theiler.
Geneva’s extended parental leave is suspended by parliament
In June 2023, Geneva residents voted in favour of a 24-week paid leave package for new parents — the first Swiss canton to do so.
Nearly 58 percent of the canton’s voters had greenlighted the proposal to grant these parents a paid leave that is six weeks longer than the current period.
However, parliament has now suspended the implementation of this measure due to its incompatibility with federal law, particularly in terms of financing the scheme.
The government is therefore proposing to work out the inconsistencies before the measure can be introduced.
Apartment rents in some regions dropped slightly in August
Last month, rental apartments became a bit cheaper. according to Homegate Rental Index published on Wednesday.
New tenants paid an average of 0.6 percent less than in August than in July — the first time rents dropped since February 2023.
The decline was sharpest in Ticino, where apartment seekers had to pay an average of 1.7 percent less than in the previous month. But rent prices also fell in Obwalden (-1.3%), as well as in Neuchâtel and Jura (both -1.2%).
However, this is likely to be only a temporary relief, Homegate noted.
At the same time, rents increased in three cantons: Graubünden (+1.3 percent), Nidwalden (+0.9 percent), and Zug (+0.3 percent).
Beware of fraudulent calls regarding the second-pillar pension
The subject of the second-pillar pension (LPP) is in the news now because it will be one of the subjects of a national vote on Sunday.
Coincidentally or not, unsolicited phone calls offering to consolidate your LPP assets are multiplying.
More than likely, they are out to scam you, so don’t reveal any information about your pension on the phone to people your don’t know.
Most callers offer to calculate, against payment, your future second-pillar pension or to find in which fund your LPP is located.
However, you can access this information yourself, free of charge, by filling out a form online.
If you have any questions about life in Switzerland, ideas for articles or news tips for The Local, please get in touch with us at news@thelocal.ch
Member comments