Switzerland Rejects Two Major National Initiatives: What the November 30 Vote Means for the Country

SwissReporting – Switzerland in English

Date: 30 November 2025

Switzerland has decisively rejected two major nationwide initiatives on Sunday: a federal inheritance tax on multimillion-franc estates and a proposal to introduce mandatory citizen service for all residents. Both initiatives failed with overwhelming majorities, sending a clear message about the country’s political mood and resistance to sweeping federal reforms.

The inheritance-tax proposal — championed as a way to fund climate measures and reduce inequality — was rejected with roughly 79% voting No. The “citizen-service” initiative, which sought to extend civic duties beyond men and into a universal national service system, fared even worse, with about 84% voting No. For both initiatives, the defeat was not only in the popular vote but also in the decisive Ständemehr (majority of cantons), making the results final.

Why Swiss Voters Said No

The strong rejection reflects several deep patterns in Swiss political culture.

First, taxation remains a sensitive subject in Switzerland. Many voters, especially in rural and conservative cantons, saw the inheritance-tax initiative as an intrusive federal overreach. Switzerland’s tradition of low taxation and strong cantonal autonomy played a major role in shaping the outcome.

Second, the citizen-service proposal — which aimed to include women and non-military paths such as environmental or social service — raised concerns about fairness, feasibility, and personal freedom. For many, the current system, where only men face mandatory service, is imperfect but still preferable to a universal obligation for everyone.

Swiss voters also tend to demand very concrete, well-tested ideas before approving major institutional changes. In the eyes of many citizens, these two initiatives simply did not convince enough people that the benefits outweighed the perceived risks and costs.

What the Result Means for Switzerland

1. The Fiscal Debate Will Continue

The inheritance-tax initiative ignited a national conversation about wealth concentration, climate financing, and intergenerational fairness. Even though voters said no, climate projects still require substantial funding, and political parties may return with more moderate or targeted proposals in the coming years.

2. Citizen Service Remains Unresolved

Many experts agree that Switzerland needs a long-term vision for military and civil service, especially given demographic trends and new societal challenges. The rejected initiative may push political actors to explore reforms that are more incremental and consensual, rather than one sweeping universal model.

3. Implications for Expats and International Residents

For foreign residents, expats and international observers, the outcome provides a degree of clarity and stability:

• No new federal inheritance tax affecting large estates at national level.
• No universal citizen-service duty; men continue to face existing service obligations, while women’s participation remains voluntary.
• No additional federal bureaucratic burden for newcomers linked to these two proposals.

This stability is often appreciated by international workers, investors and families who choose Switzerland for long-term relocation or business reasons.

A Predictable Switzerland — For Now

Switzerland’s highly participatory democracy often favors cautious, incremental adjustments over rapid structural change. Sunday’s vote confirms this tendency once again: voters chose continuity over political experimentation.

For international observers, the message is clear: Switzerland remains committed to its traditional balance of low federal taxation, strong cantonal autonomy, and personal freedom — even when facing global challenges such as inequality, climate change and demographic shifts.

As the dust settles, the political debate will certainly continue, but the country’s direction remains firmly anchored in stability — a defining characteristic of modern Switzerland.