The Uncertainty Surrounding the Expansion of National Roads
According to initial trend calculations, the expansion of national roads is in jeopardy. Federal Councilor Albert Rösti is on edge, while Elisabeth Baume-Schneider seems to be in a better position. The health reform is expected to be accepted.
Key Points
- The first trends indicate a tight race for the expansion of national roads, with many “no” votes in urban areas.
- The new healthcare financing system has the best chance of being accepted.
- The proposal for re-regulating subletting is likely to be approved.
Check out our comments on the federal votes, the rental law proposals, the highway expansion, and the health reform.
12.24 pm: Canton of Aargau Rejects Voting Age 16
In the Canton of Aargau, only Swiss citizens aged 18 and above will be allowed to vote. According to preliminary results, 81% of voters are against lowering the voting age to 16.
12.11 pm: Initial Zurich Projection Favors Health Reform
According to the first cantonal projection in Zurich, 57.6% of voters support the health reform. With 61 out of 175 municipalities counted, the voter turnout stands at 46.6%.
12.06 pm: Albert Rösti Faces Uncertainty
Initial trend calculations suggest that the worst-case scenario for authorities may not materialize on this Sunday. While the health care reform and at least one of the two rental law reforms are likely to be accepted, Minister of Transport Albert Rösti is facing the greatest uncertainty. The expansion of national roads he advocates is hanging in the balance.
12.02 pm: Initial Results from Graubünden
The Canton of Graubünden has released initial results for the four federal votes. As of now, 89 out of 101 Graubünden municipalities have been counted. According to the results, 56% of voters in Graubünden reject the highway expansion, while 58% approve of subletting and 57% support the termination due to urgent personal use. There is also a clear majority in favor of financing health services, with 60% supporting the reform.
The Anxiety of Referendum Sunday
The week leading up to referendum Sundays is usually calm. However, the atmosphere was tense before this Sunday’s vote. Supporters of the highway expansion, in particular, are likely to have had sleepless nights. The nervousness is palpable.
Transport Minister Albert Rösti, who has won all the proposals he has represented at the polls so far, has been fighting for every vote until the last minute in interviews. He accuses opponents of spreading “nonsense.” Simultaneously, the President of the TCS, Switzerland’s largest automobile club, made an appeal to voters on CH Media’s portals.
Seeking Scapegoats
An unmistakable sign of the tense atmosphere is the fact that the pro-camp is already looking for scapegoats before the battle is over. In the “Weltwoche,” Zurich SVP National Councillor Gregor Rutz and his campaign were blamed for the impending voting debacle. The opponents focused their campaign on costs and expected increased traffic.
In the latest GfS Bern survey commissioned by SRG, a majority of 51% opposed the 2023 expansion step. Only 47% supported the Federal Council’s proposal. In the first trend survey at the beginning of October, there was a slim majority of 51% in favor of the highway expansion.
Given the predicted close result, it is by no means certain that voters will reject the expansion step. However, it is unlikely to be a triumphant ride for conservatives and business representatives.
SVP Decides on Yes Vote Amid Challenges
The discussions surrounding the reform of health care financing (Efas) were much calmer. In the future, outpatient procedures and inpatient treatments will be paid for according to a new unified financing key. The unions have challenged the proposal.
It was “everyone against the unions” in the campaign for the complex proposal. In the National Council, the center, FDP, and Green Liberals were clearly in favor. There were efforts within the SVP to adopt a no stance. Ultimately, due to a decisive intervention by Christoph Blocher, the party decided on a yes vote at its delegate assembly.
The majority of cantons and a broad coalition in the health sector, including doctor, hospital, health insurance, and home care associations, support the proposal. Despite the SP’s decision to oppose it, prominent health policy figures from the left-green camp endorse the new financing system.
Despite this broad support, the referendum on the proposal promises to be exciting. In the first SRG survey in October, only 26% of respondents said they would reject the proposal. In the second survey, the no camp has grown significantly to 37%. Skepticism is particularly high in French-speaking Switzerland.
Tenants vs. Landlords
“Home, sweet home”: This could be the verdict of the Property Owners Association after this referendum Sunday. Both rental law proposals are facing rejection. Opponents have successfully turned the two proposals, of modest significance, into a battle of “tenants vs. landlords.” The law change aiming to tighten subletting rules had 50% approval in the GfS survey, albeit with a clear negative trend.
The proposal to lower the hurdles for a buyer’s termination due to urgent personal use is in an even worse position. Resistance to this proposal is particularly strong among the youth, urban dwellers, and French-speaking Swiss.
Alleged “Satanic Messages”
Several cantons are holding votes whose outcomes will garner national attention. Basel-Stadt, in particular, is worth watching. The Eurovision Song Contest has become a political issue there. The small party Eidgenössisch-Demokratische Union (EDU) has successfully launched a referendum against a loan for the event, where allegedly “satanic messages” are spread. Additionally, the residents of Basel will decide on the introduction of cantonal foreigner voting rights.
Egyptian investor Samih Sawiris will also be closely monitoring Referendum Sunday. The “Savior of Andermatt” faces opposition with his Marina project on Lake Uri. With a yes vote on the “Isleten for All” initiative, the Uri voters could halt the resort in an early planning phase.
In the city of Bern, governed by the red-green coalition for years, elections are taking place. These elections are of interest beyond the federal city, especially because Mayor Alec von Graffenried could lose his position.