Nearly 69% of voters on Sunday came out in favour of a parliamentary proposal, rejecting a challenge by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party and the group, Geneva Citizens ‘Movement, according to the cantonal chancelleryExternal link.
The opponents had argued that the financial aid was too generous and would attract potential welfare beneficiaries, notably illegal workers.
The aid consists of a maximum allowance of CHF4,000 ($4,295) per month and is aimed at people working in the events and theatre sectors as well as domestic workers on call who haven’t been able to receive financial help from the cantonal authorities.
The total cost is estimated at CHF15 million.
After the coronavirus-induced shutdown, images of people queuing for food parcels in Geneva caused a shock and attracted public attention in Switzerland and abroad.
No voting rights
Meanwhile, in a ballot in the mountain resort of St Moritz, voters threw out a proposal to give residents with a foreign passport a say in local matters.
Two-thirds of voters rejected the proposal by the local council and parliament, according to official resultsExternal link.
Only one in three municipalities in canton Graubünden grant foreign nationals the right to vote.
Seven of the 26 Swiss cantons, notably in the French-speaking part of the country, have introduced the right to vote on local issues.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
November 24, 2024 votes: the results from across Switzerland
Over-55s account for less than 10% of new hires in Switzerland
This content was published on
Only 8% of Swiss jobs are filled by people aged 55 and over, even though this age group represents 23% of the working population, says insurer Swiss Life.
This content was published on
The Langmatt Museum in Baden, Switzerland, has agreed terms with the descendants of the former owners of two impressionist paintings
Artificial intelligence is part of everyday life for young Swiss people
This content was published on
Artificial intelligence has rapidly become part of young people's everyday lives. According to a survey, 71% have had experience with ChatGPT or other programs.
Jungfrau Railways invests CHF70 million in new cable cars
This content was published on
The Jungfrau Railway Group is ordering CHF70 million cableway installations for the First and Kleine Scheidegg ski areas.
This content was published on
A bronze coin from the 3rd century BC has been discovered during excavations in the Roman town of Augusta Raurica - the first find of its kind in Switzerland
This content was published on
The canton of Zurich and Swiss Federal Railways want to test self-driving public transport in rural areas from spring 2025.
Swiss study shows increased suicide risk of ‘traditional’ men
This content was published on
Men with an attachment to traditional male role models have an increased risk of suicide, although not all men are equally at risk, according to researchers at the University of Zurich.
Swiss rail expansion bill nearly doubles as extra costs mount up
This content was published on
The expansion of the rail infrastructure up to 2035 will be significantly more expensive than previously planned. In addition to the CHF16.4 billion already approved by Parliament, a further CHF14 billion will be required.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Switzerland is three-quarters of a democracy
This content was published on
Just three out of four people in Switzerland have a Swiss passport, meaning that a quarter of taxpaying residents have no political voice.
This content was published on
Nearly 600 people took part in the vote on October 15, according to the Geneva Association for Political RightsExternal link (known as DPGE in French). About half of the participants used the internet while the others went to polling stations set up in five municipalities in canton Geneva. The final result showed 88% of voters…
This content was published on
Over a million Swiss residents were struggling financially before coronavirus. The pandemic threatens to push many of them into precarious situations.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.