Swiss voters have rejected proposals to expand motorways, ease eviction rules, and tighten subletting regulations in a referendum held on Sunday. However, they approved a new healthcare financing model.
The government’s €5.3 million plan to expand motorways at six key locations, including areas near Bern and between Geneva and Lausanne, was rejected by 52.7% of voters. Environmental concerns and doubts about the plan’s effectiveness fueled opposition, despite the government’s argument that traffic volumes on motorways have grown more than fivefold over the past 60 years.
Housing policies were also a key focus of the referendum. A proposal to make it easier for landlords to terminate leases early for personal use was turned down by 53.8% of voters. Additionally, 51.6% opposed stricter subletting rules for residential and commercial properties.
The rejection of the eviction-related proposal was particularly pronounced in French-speaking cantons, with 67.8% of voters in Geneva opposing it due to the city’s severe housing shortage. The debates drew significant attention, as about 60% of Swiss citizens rent their homes—the highest proportion in Europe.
