National Council wants stricter regulations for property purchases by persons based abroad; immigrants should learn about Swiss values regarding domestic and sexual violence, MPs say; and more news in our Wednesday roundup.
National Council wants stricter regulations for property purchases by persons based abroad
MPs from left and right have joined forces in the effort to make it more difficult for non-residents to buy real estate in Switzerland.
They are seeking measures such as stricter authorisation requirements for purchases by third-country nationals.
READ MORE: Swiss government to tighten rules on foreigners buying property
Immigrants should learn about Swiss values regarding domestic and sexual violence, MPs say
Some of the violent offences are committed by foreign nationals who lack sufficient awareness of the fundamental values and rules prevailing in Switzerland.
It is therefore “crucial to engage in prevention work with these individuals as early as possible,” Centre Party deputies said in a motion they submitted in the Parliament.
“Integration requires an acknowledgment of our values. A non-negotiable requirement is that foreign nationals must commit to refraining from sexual or domestic violence, particularly against women and children,” they wrote.
This “contract,” coupled with mandatory training, must be established immediately upon the individual’s arrival in Switzerland, deputies argued. The earlier prevention efforts begin, the more effective they are, they said.
Parliament pushes for better pension provision for people working beyond retirement age
Deputies are calling on the Federal Council to improve retirement conditions for employed persons over the age of 65.
Under the new rules, insurance coverage is to continue beyond 65 – unless the employee expressly waives it.
Furthermore, they should be able to claim their vested benefits when switching pension funds, even after reaching the retirement age.
The National Council had already approved this move approved it in March.
READ MORE: How Switzerland wants to keep pensioners working longer in life
Zurich Parliament rejects mandatory voting bid
“Mandatory voting and participation in elections strengthens shared democratic responsibility and underscores that political rights are a shared responsibility for the community,” the parliamentary proposal to this effect states.
It says that those who don’t perform this civic duty should be fined.
Deputies, however, do not consider such an obligation to be implementable.
Though they agreed that achieving higher voter turnout was a good idea, they prioritised freedom of choice in this matter.
READ MORE: The Swiss canton where you can be fined for not voting
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