Parliament finalizes twelve bills
Published: Friday, Dec 20th 2024, 10:40
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The Federal Assembly concluded its winter session on Friday with the final votes. The National Council and Council of States passed twelve bills through parliament:
- by 106 votes to 69 with 19 abstentions (National Council) and 25 votes to 16 with 3 abstentions (Council of States). This refers to the abolition of the imputed rental value for primary and secondary residences. The latter is considered unique in Europe. The homeowners' association has been calling for the system change for a long time;
- by 123 votes to 57 with 14 abstentions (National Council) and 25 votes to 15 with 4 abstentions (Council of States) to amend the constitution to introduce a property tax on second homes. It is intended to enable the cantons to compensate for the loss of revenue resulting from the abolition of the imputed rental value;
- by 101 votes to 87 with 9 abstentions (National Council) and 27 votes to 15 with 2 abstentions (Council of States) the amendment to the Electricity Supply Act, which was declared urgent, in favor of strategically important, ailing steel and aluminium plants in Switzerland. It gives these companies a discount on electricity purchases;
- by 170 votes to 25 with 1 abstention (National Council) and 43 votes to 1 with 0 abstentions (Council of States) for a new attempt to introduce a state electronic proof of identity (e-ID). The E-ID is to be introduced in 2026;
- by 175 votes to 5 with 15 abstentions (National Council) and 40 votes to 1 with 3 abstentions (Council of States) the law to ban the radical Islamic Palestinian terrorist organization Hamas;
- by 195 votes to 1 with no abstentions (National Council) and 44 votes to 0 with 0 abstentions (Council of States) to amend the Code of Obligations to improve the position of building owners in the event of construction defects;
- by 151 votes to 43 with 2 abstentions (National Council) and 37 votes to 4 with 3 abstentions (Council of States) the new law on platforms for electronic communication in the judiciary. This makes electronic communication mandatory for professional players in the justice system, such as courts and authorities;
- by 132 votes to 59 with 6 abstentions (National Council) and 43 votes to 1 with 0 abstentions (Council of States) an amendment to the Federal Act on Private International Law. In future, it will be possible in principle to participate in foreign civil proceedings from Switzerland by telephone or video conference without official authorization;
- by 162 votes to 28 with 7 abstentions (National Council) and 44 votes to 0 with 0 abstentions (Council of States) the Alpine Rhine Act, which improves flood protection in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley. This concerns the 26-kilometre stretch from the mouth of the River Ill near Feldkirch (A) to Lake Constance;
- by 160 votes to 27 with 10 abstentions (National Council) and 44 votes to 0 with 0 abstentions (Council of States) for an international treaty between Switzerland and Austria to improve flood protection in the St. Gallen Rhine Valley;
- by 197 votes to 0 with no abstentions (National Council) and 44 votes to 0 with 0 abstentions (Council of States) to amend the Civil Protection and Civil Defense Act. The aim is to give the federal government more time to work with the cantons to revise the responsibilities and financing models for the management of the approximately 5,000 remote-controlled sirens in the country;
- by 134 votes to 47 with 16 abstentions (National Council) and 40 votes to 2 with 2 abstentions (Council of States) for the amended double taxation agreement with Serbia.
The Council of States also approved an amendment to its rules of procedure by 44 votes to 0 with 0 abstentions. This concerns how several requests to make a statement on the same topic are balanced against each other. In addition, in future, absence due to paternity leave will also count as a reason for excusal in the Council of States.
All decisions are subject to an optional referendum, with the exception of those on the introduction of a property tax on second homes and those of the Council of States on its rules of procedure. The decision on property tax is subject to a mandatory referendum. An optional referendum is not currently being considered for any of the proposals.
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