Switzerland’s busy voting calendar continues. On 27 September, voters rejected initiatives on food production and neutrality. The next round is already on the horizon: on 29 November 2026, they will decide four federal proposals covering pension funding, fireworks restrictions, taxation of married couples and arms exports.
Pension funding: raise VAT
The proposal would raise value-added tax by 0.4 percentage points, no earlier than 2028, to help pay for the 13th annual state pension. The reduced rate on essentials such as food and medicines would stay unchanged. The increase would bring in about CHF 1.4bn a year, meeting part of the extra cost.
The government and parliament recommend yes. They argue that the pension system needs more revenue and that VAT spreads the cost across generations. Opponents in parliament want funding settled through a broader pension reform, including measures such as raising the retirement age—see government explanation here.
The extra pension has already been approved. This vote decides how to help finance it.
Fireworks: restrict noisy displays
The initiative would ban the sale and use of fireworks that make noise. Quieter varieties would remain available. Cantons could grant exceptions for events of wider regional importance, though private individuals could not let off noisy fireworks at those events. Lawmakers would need to define which fireworks fall under the ban.
Supporters say national rules would protect people, animals and the environment from noise, pollution, fires and accidents. The government and parliament recommend no. They argue that existing rules, together with cantonal and municipal powers to impose restrictions, are sufficient—see government explanation here.
Married couples: retain joint federal taxation
The initiative would put two principles into the constitution: married couples’ incomes must be taxed jointly for direct federal tax, and marriage must not leave them worse off than other taxpayers.
If no implementing law takes effect by 2030, the authorities would calculate each couple’s tax bill under both joint taxation and the rules for unmarried people, then charge the lower amount.
Supporters call this a straightforward remedy for the “marriage penalty”. The government and parliament recommend no. They say individual taxation, approved by voters in March 2026 and due to begin in 2032, already addresses the problem. They also warn that the initiative could favour married couples and leave federal and cantonal tax systems working on different principles—see government explanation here.
Arms exports: loosen some controls
The amendment would allow arms exports to partner states involved in armed conflict under specified conditions. It would also let the government depart from export criteria in extraordinary circumstances and waive some buyers’ obligation to seek Swiss consent before passing weapons to another country. Switzerland’s international obligations, including neutrality law, would still apply.
The government and parliament recommend yes. They argue that more flexible rules would support defence partnerships and preserve the domestic arms industry.
The referendum committee urges no. It warns that weaker controls would make it more likely that Swiss weapons reach abusive regimes, terrorist groups and wars, damaging Swiss security and neutrality—see government explanation here.
For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and X.