Zurich Voters Reject Politician Pay Raise
Zurich voters rejected a proposed pay raise for local politicians by a margin of 53.2% to 46.8%, with 45,350 voting against and 39,881 in favor. The increase, supported by several center-left parties, would have raised annual salaries from an average of CHF 16,000 to CHF 28,000, including pension contributions. Opponents, including the Swiss People’s Party and Radical-Liberal Party, argued the increase was excessive and threatened the city’s militia-based political system. The referendum was triggered by a parliamentary initiative, partly in response to a threatened counter-referendum.
John Q. Hosedrinker