SWITZERLAND: Citizen’s initiative formally accepted

by | Nov 8, 2013 | News | 4 comments

[Original by Enno Schmidt & Daniel Straub, translated by Joerg Drescher]

Volksinitiative zum GrundeinkommenToday [November 8, 2013], the Federal Chancellery of Switzerland announced that the citizen’s initiative for an Unconditional Basic Income has been formally accepted. It stated that after the validation of the signatures on 4 October, 126,408 valid signatures were submitted. Thus, the Federal Chancellery of Switzerland confirms formally: There will be a national referendum [on Unconditional Basic Income].

Now, the Federal Council will consider Basic Income and prepare a report on it. This will take about one year. Afterwards there will be a debate in the parliament. The national referendum will follow in two to three years. The question is: Should each person in the country receive the financial basis for a living unconditionally?

Source (in German):
Enno Schmidt &  Daniel Straub, “Volksinitiative zum Grundeinkommen formell zustande gekommen,” grundeinkommen.ch, November 8, 2013: https://www.grundeinkommen.ch/volksinitiative-zum-grundeinkommen-formell-zustande-gekommen/

4 Comments

  1. Anne Renaud
    Anne Renaud on November 8, 2013 at 8:42 pm

    I am SO PROUD of the Swiss people! xxxxx

  2. Ralph Kundig
    Ralph Kundig on November 9, 2013 at 2:36 am

    First step has been fulfilled: there will be a vote! Let’s go for the second step: obtain Switzerland citizens’ positive vote :)

  3. John Meek
    John Meek on November 10, 2013 at 8:23 am

    Good news. I very much hope the people will go on to agree in the referendum

  4. Nicole
    Nicole on November 11, 2013 at 9:28 am

    Congratulations to the Swiss. I hope Switzerland will become the first country with a substantial unconditional basic income.