Solothurn says no to limiting the number of state employees
Published: Sunday, Mar 3rd 2024, 14:00
العودة إلى البث المباشر
On Sunday, voters in Solothurn said no to limiting the number of state employees. The FDP popular initiative "So lean. So strong." (1:85 initiative) was clearly rejected.
Voters rejected the initiative with 55.5% voting against (No: 54,649, Yes: 43,876 votes). The voter turnout was a high 54.9%.
The voters thus followed the recommendation of the government council and the center and left-wing parties. The "no" vote means that there is now no need to limit the number of cantonal employees to one per 85 inhabitants. The cantonal government had warned in advance that acceptance would lead to a "massive reduction in state services".
In addition to the FDP, from whose ranks the initiative came, the SVP had also campaigned for the issue. The argument was that the "bloated state" should be curbed.
Canton Solothurn is below average
Including municipal employees, there are 24.5 full-time positions per 1,000 inhabitants in the canton of Solothurn, according to a study by the University of Lucerne. This is below the Swiss average of 33 employees.
Thurgau has the fewest state employees with around 17, while Basel-Stadt is at the top with 52. According to the study, Solothurn's neighboring canton of Aargau has 24.3 full-time positions per 1,000 inhabitants.
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