In Geneva, the issues were enough to get the vote out – turnout was over 50%, that’s historically high.
Genevans backed the federal 13th month pension payment – with a clear 75%.
But on the local level, there was clear support for changing the way car tax is calculated. Voters accepted the counter-project put forward by the government which will reflect the carbon emissions of cars. They rejected the idea by the Swiss People’s Party to simply halve the tax.
They also rejected another Swiss People’s Party proposal to allow more apartments to be owned in the Praille-Acacias-Vernets development. That was also clear at 57%.
The change to lower the number of signatures to force issues to a vote has also passed. 63% agreed it will now take 2% of voters and not 3% for initiatives, and 1.5% and not 2% for referendums.
But the so called ‘Geneva Hymn’ will be constitutionally protected. The 68 verse Cé qu’è Laino is sung at cantonal swearing in ceremonies as well as some sporting events – although normally just the first and last verses.
The anthem is written in Arpitan French and celebrates the Geneva victory over the Savoyards. Some wanted it to be changed to take out the references of the executions of the attacking soldiers. But that’s around 30 of all the verses. The push to censor the song had the utterly reverse effect – and now it’s in the constitution.
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