Thu, Apr 25th 2024
Geneva’s upcoming vote on banning hate symbols and extending political rights to foreigners could mark significant constitutional changes.
On June 9, the people of Geneva will vote on a constitutional provision to ban the display of hate symbols in public.
This includes the swastika. Three other proposals deal with euthanasia, crèches and extended political rights for foreigners.
The cantons of Vaud and Fribourg have already adopted motions to ban Nazi symbols. However, a yes vote on June 9 would make Geneva the first canton to enshrine such a ban in its constitution.
With the exception of the SVP, all groups support this legislative text, which is part of the canton’s fight against discrimination and hatred.
The new provision would also close a legal loophole, as there is currently no such explicit ban at federal level.
This is likely to change soon, as the National Council has now followed the Council of States in supporting texts that would gradually ban the use of racist, violence-glorifying and extremist symbols in public.
The people of Geneva will also vote on an initiative by the left-wing parties and trade unions to extend the political rights of foreigners. The text entitled “Une Vie ici, une Voix ici” extends the right to vote and stand for election at cantonal level to foreigners who live in Geneva and have been in Switzerland for at least eight years.
Currently, foreign nationals living in Geneva have the right to vote and stand for election at communal level. For the left, it is time for foreigners to be able to participate fully in cantonal democracy.
In Switzerland, only the cantons of Neuchâtel and Jura grant foreigners the right to vote, but not the right to stand for election at cantonal level.
The most recent vote is about relaxing working conditions in private daycare centres. An amendment to the law allows these facilities to hire staff and pay minimum wages.
Until now, private daycare centres were bound to pay the better wages customary in the industry.
The right argues that the new law will encourage the opening of new daycare centers thanks to lower costs. The left, the trade unions and the professional associations of the early childhood care sector have launched a referendum against it.
The MCG rejects the amendment to the law because it would lead to increased employment of cross-border commuters at the expense of resident employees.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic