Mon, Nov 20th 2023
On Sunday, voters in the canton of St. Gallen clearly rejected the SP initiative for a climate fund endowed with CHF 100 million. However, the counter-proposal, which includes a special credit of 59 million francs for energy measures, was clearly approved. Two undisputed proposals were also approved.
The initiative for a climate fund was rejected by 56,105 votes (72.2 percent) to 21,566 votes (27.8 percent). The counter-proposal was approved by 50,804 votes (65.2 percent) to 27,102 votes (34.8 percent). The turnout was 25.1 percent.
A committee led by the SP wanted to use the climate fund to promote the replacement of heating systems using fossil fuels or the generation of electricity using photovoltaics, wind power and biomass. The CHF 100 million would have been taken from the canton’s equity capital.
The counter-proposal from the government and cantonal council, which can now be implemented, includes a special credit of CHF 59 million. This is intended to provide financial support for the replacement of fossil fuel heating systems, new ideas in the energy sector and securing the power supply until 2030.
The voters also approved a doubling of the canton’s annual contributions to supplementary family and school childcare from CHF 5 million to CHF 10 million by 51,118 votes (63.1%) to 29,850 votes (36.9%). The municipalities can use the money to reduce the costs for parents, expand the services or improve the childcare ratio, depending on their needs.
The voters also approved the relocation of the St. Gallen district court, which was previously rented at two locations in the city of St. Gallen, with 59,073 votes (74.7 percent) against 20,027 votes (25.3 percent). The costs, including the renovation of the new premises, amount to CHF 27.2 million.
Meanwhile in the city of Bern, voters have approved the “most expensive playground in the world” with 52.71% of votes in favor. Specifically, this involved the purchase of a plot of land (TST Editor: Vehicle Parking Lot) for CHF 3.7 million to build a playground.
13,096 voted yes, while 11,751 rejected the bill, as the city of Bern announced on Sunday. The voter turnout was 29.91 percent.
A citizens’ committee had launched a referendum and forced the vote. It spoke of the “most expensive playground in the world” and rejected the proposal due to the costs in particular. According to the opponents, it was also an “expensive gift” to a private company, as the land was being bought by the pharmacy group Galenica.
According to the left-wing parties in favor of the project, the child-rich district in the east of Bern needs its own playground. Furthermore, the land purchase is a forward-looking and secure investment. The land is located in a residential zone and could later be used for the construction of residential buildings.
©Keystone/SDA
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