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The electorate stops plans for motorway expansion

31.01.2025 – Theodora Peter

On 24 November 2024, voters rejected the planned five-billion-franc expansion of the motorways, with 52.7 per cent voting against it. Voters also disagreed with the federal authorities on two proposed amendments to tenancy law.

No, no and no again: the last vote of 2024 did not turn out well for the government or parliament. The Swiss electorate turned down three out of four proposals by the Federal Palace: besides the expansion of the highways, two relaxations of tenancy law that had the tenants’ association up in arms were also rejected. Only the standardised financing of insured healthcare benefits received the green light from voters.

The Fifth Switzerland was more receptive to the authorities’ proposals on 24 November: unlike the majority of voters, the Swiss Abroad actually voted in favour of financing the motorway expansion and backed one of the controversial amendments to tenancy law (see charts). In so doing, they agreed with the Federal Council and parliament on three of the four proposals. This confirms the trend whereby the Fifth Switzerland follows the official line more closely when voting.

The success of the left-green opposition

Confidence in the government seems to have broken down, at least within the country. In the first year of the new legislative period, the government won a mere seven out of 12 votes. The Left triumphed five times in 2024 – most memorably when the SP and unions were successful with their initiative to introduce a 13th OASI pension payment (“Review 3/2024”).

These victories for the Left at the polls are remarkable given that parliament moved markedly to the right in the federal elections of autumn 2023. Against this backdrop, the triple no is a signal to the power politics of the centreright parties: SVP, FDP and The Centre. Although they set the tone in the government and parliament, the people are clearly singing a different tune.

The electorate has voted against building additional lanes on motorways like the A1 (seen here traversing the outskirts of Berne). Photo: Keystone

Women are more sceptical than men about cars

On 24 November, the Greens joined the SP in the winners’ camp. The ecological lobby struck a chord with the public through its campaign against excessive highway expansion, (“Review 5/2024”), as shown by a survey conducted after the vote. Besides climate-related concerns, people were also worried about more roads bringing more traffic. This argument from the anti-motorway lobby resonated most among female voters, 60 per cent of whom voted against the proposal.

Men, on the other hand, were more sympathetic towards motorised transport: 56 per cent approved the financing, which, at least in the eyes of the yes camp, was simply a matter of relieving motorway congestion in a few areas. Maybe the yes camp was overly confident: its slogan “For a Switzerland that moves forward” failed to convince the majority.

Financing the expansion of the national highways: Across Switzerland, only 47.3 per cent voted in favour of the planned six extensions of the motorways. In contrast, the Fifth Switzerland voted strongly in favour of the works, with 57.3 per cent in favour of the financing, placing it in the minority along with the voters in 11 cantons.

Political scientist and pollster Michael Herman also saw the rejection of the motorway expansion as an expression of “growth aversion”. Many people feel Switzerland is growing too quickly, he said: “They fear an evergreyer Switzerland, covered in concrete”, Herman told the Tamedia newspapers.

The public’s no to the motorway expansion shows what other road construction projects may also have to contend with. According to Minister of Transport Albert Rösti (SVP), a comprehensive expansion of the A1 motorway is now off the agenda. The Federal Council and parliament had intended to extend the busy stretch between Lausanne and Geneva and from Berne to Zurich to at least six lanes.

Only the healthcare reform passed at the polls

Meanwhile, it’s full steam ahead for the healthcare reforms. The Swiss voted 53.3 per cent in favour of the standardised financing of health insurance benefits. The Fifth Switzerland also agreed to the legislative change. It will lead to more treatments being classified as outpatient and costing less as a result. The authorities hope to see savings of up to 440 million Swiss francs.

Standardised financing of health insurance benefits: A majority (53.3 per cent) gave the green light to the new financing model in the healthcare sector. The Fifth Switzerland approved the proposal even more emphatically. The voters’ overall response to this bill revealed a distinct division between French-speaking Switzerland and the rest of the country.

This was the one vote where the unions came up short. They had campaigned against the bill arguing, among other things, that the quality of care could be compromised and working conditions could also be affected.

A reality check for landlords

Meanwhile, it’s business as usual for tenancy law: 51.6 per cent of the electorate said no to tightening the rules for subletting. The Fifth Switzerland approved the legislative change, albeit to no avail. The bill was designed to prevent abuse of the system. If the bill had passed, tenants would have had to obtain explicit written agreement from the owner each time they wanted to sublet a property. As the law stands now, the tenant simply has to notify the owner.

Tenancy law I: stricter rules for subletting: Tightening the rules to the detriment of tenants fell short of nationwide majority approval, obtaining 48.4 per cent of the vote. The Fifth Switzerland, on the other hand, voted in favour (53.6 per cent). The victorious No lobby included the populous canton of Zurich as well as French-speaking Switzerland.

The no vote (53.8 per cent) was somewhat more emphatic in response to the proposed simplification of lease terminations for own use. Landlords will still have to prove that they have an “urgent” need for an apartment or house for themselves or for close relatives if they want to dissolve an existing rental contract. The Fifth Switzerland concurred as it also voted against the motion.

Tenancy law II: facilitated termination for reasons of own use: This second amendment to tenancy law proved even less popular, with just 46.2 per cent in favour. The Fifth Switzerland was also opposed to this legislative change in favour of landlords.

The victorious tenant’s association is now preparing for the next defence of tenants’ rights. On Voting Sunday, it was already threatening referendums if parliament backs other adverse legislation, when setting rent levels for example. If it comes to that, the people will as always have the last word.

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