Still no obligation to install photovoltaics in Liechtenstein
Published: Sunday, Jan 21st 2024, 15:10
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In the Principality of Liechtenstein, photovoltaics will still not be mandatory for new buildings. Voters clearly rejected a corresponding proposal on Sunday. They also said no to stricter energy-related building regulations. A popular initiative on electronic health records was also rejected.
At the ballot box, 9300 voters were against the obligation to install solar panels on the roofs of new residential and non-residential buildings, while 4665 voters were in favor. The proportion of votes against was 66.6 percent and the turnout was 67.9 percent.
The bill was based on a mandate from the parliament, the Landtag, to the government. The aim was to reduce the demand for fossil fuels and increase Liechtenstein's self-sufficiency in electricity.
A group led by a former FBP politician had launched a referendum against the bill, which is why the photovoltaic obligation was put to the people. The committee successfully criticized the bill as patronizing the population and unnecessary. Liechtenstein is already a "solar world champion" on a voluntary basis.
No building regulations based on the Swiss model
Also in a referendum, voters rejected new energy regulations in the building sector by 9082 votes to 4858, with 65.2 percent voting against. Liechtenstein's building regulations will therefore not be aligned with those of Switzerland, the so-called MuKEn 2014, as the government had intended.
The bill aimed to achieve a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions when replacing an old oil or gas heating system in unrenovated old buildings. The referendum committee successfully criticized the fact that the replacement of these heating systems would be considerably more difficult and massively more expensive in the case of renovations.
In addition, the population rejected a popular initiative to amend the law on electronic health records by 7485 votes to 6392 (53.9% of votes against). Anyone who does not want an electronic health record must therefore continue to actively opt out. Until now, the law has provided for automatic participation since the beginning of 2023, with the option of opting out.
©Keystone/SDA
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