Cantonal votes Twelve cantons vote on 19 proposals
Cantonal ballots are also being held in twelve cantons. The 19 proposals include initiatives against the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) in Basel and for the introduction of the voting age of 16 in Aargau. There will also be elections in Basel, Jura and Bern.
24.11.2024, 04:31
SDA
The vote on the 37.5 million loan for the ESC was forced in Basel by a referendum of the Federal Democratic Union (EDU). However, the world's largest music competition cannot be prevented even in the event of a no vote: the event would simply be held in a reduced form without the planned broad accompanying program.
Also in Basel, a decision will be made on a cantonal initiative for more musical diversity. The aim is to promote the free creation of music. The canton will also vote on voting rights for foreign nationals. They should be able to have a say in cantonal and communal affairs, but are still not allowed to be elected to office.
In the canton of Aargau, voters will decide on the introduction of a voting age of 16, which is currently only known in Switzerland in the canton of Glarus. The young parties, with the exception of the SVP, had submitted a corresponding popular initiative. The conservative parties rejected the initiative.
Tourism project in Uri
In the canton of Uri, a decision will be made on another major tourism project by Egyptian investor Samih Sawiri. A vote will be held on an initiative by the Green Party entitled "Isleten für alle" (Isleten for all), which opposes the large-scale project on the Isleten peninsula.
In the canton of Zug, recreational activities such as biking and drone flying are to be restricted in order to protect the forest.
In the canton of Schaffhausen, one of the issues at stake is the implementation of the transparency initiative. In the canton of St. Gallen, care and higher travel cost deductions are up for discussion, in the canton of Lucerne the amendment of the Planning and Building Act and in the canton of Obwalden the tax value of properties.
Ambitious climate law in Valais
The canton of Valais is voting on a cantonal climate law. The canton is to become climate-neutral by 2040, ten years earlier than the rest of Switzerland.
In the canton of Neuchâtel, the issue is the right to digital integrity and in the canton of Geneva, lower income taxes, among other things. Finally, the canton of Jura is deciding on the creation of the district of Moutier after it was transferred from the canton of Bern to the Jura.
Elections in several cantons
In the canton of Jura, a replacement is to be elected for government councillor Jacques Gerber (FDP), who will head the Ukraine program at the federal government in future. The choices are Stéphane Theurillat from the Center Party, Pauline Godat from the Greens and outsider candidate Pascal Prince from the Mouvement HelvEthica.
In the canton of Basel-Stadt, the current Director of Public Works Esther Keller (GLP) is facing a tough re-election battle. Anina Ineichen (Greens), a member of the cantonal parliament elected by the left-wing parties, could ensure that the red-green party regains the majority in the city canton.
There are municipal elections in many places in the canton of Bern, including the city of Bern itself. The election for the mayor's office is likely to be particularly exciting, with municipal councillor Marieke Kruit (SP) challenging mayor Alec von Graffenried (Greens Free List). In the city of Biel, a female mayor will be elected for the first time to succeed Mayor Erich Fehr (SP). Two French-speaking municipal councillors from the PRR (French-speaking FDP) and the SP will face each other in the run-off election.
