Swiss voters have delivered a clear verdict in a recent national referendum, rejecting two significant proposals that would have reshaped Swiss society. The electorate voted against introducing mandatory national service for women and declined to implement a new federal inheritance tax.
Defeat for Gender Equality in Military Service
The proposal to make national service compulsory for women represented one of the most debated issues in Swiss politics. Currently, military service remains mandatory for all able-bodied male citizens in Switzerland, while women can volunteer. The rejected initiative would have required women to serve in the military, civil protection teams, or other approved forms of national service, just like their male counterparts.
The voting took place on November 30, 2025, with results showing a decisive majority against the measure. This outcome maintains Switzerland's long-standing tradition of compulsory military service exclusively for men, despite arguments from proponents about modernizing the system and advancing gender equality.
Inheritance Tax Proposal Also Fails
Alongside the national service question, voters also rejected a proposed federal inheritance tax. This measure would have introduced new taxation on inherited wealth at the national level, marking a significant shift in Switzerland's tax structure where inheritance taxes are currently managed at the cantonal level.
The dual rejection demonstrates Swiss voters' preference for maintaining current systems rather than implementing substantial changes to either national service requirements or tax policy. Both proposals had generated extensive public debate in the weeks leading up to the referendum.
International Context and Implications
Switzerland's decision comes amid ongoing global discussions about gender equality in military service and national defense systems. Several European countries have moved toward gender-neutral conscription models in recent years, while others maintain male-only mandatory service similar to Switzerland's current system.
The referendum outcome preserves Switzerland's unique approach to national service while highlighting the complex relationship between traditional practices and evolving concepts of gender equality. The result indicates that Swiss voters prioritize maintaining established systems over implementing sweeping changes, even when such changes are framed as advancing equality.
As Switzerland continues to navigate its position on gender roles and national responsibility, this referendum result provides clear insight into public sentiment regarding these fundamental social structures.
