What Switzerland decides on November 29
Four questions on the ballot: higher VAT for the 13th AHV pension, restricting fireworks, the taxation of married couples and war materiel exports. The first three amend the Constitution and need a double majority, of the people and of the cantons.
First wave from each pollster, the only one published so far; the next waves are not out yet. LeeWas (20 Minuten/Tamedia): online, modelled, Oct 7-8. YouGov: online panel with MRP, Oct 7-19. gfs.bern (SRG SSR): phone and online, Oct 5-18.
Higher VAT for the 13th AHV pension
Raises VAT to part-fund the 13th monthly AHV pension, the public pension, first paid in December 2026. The standard rate goes from 8.1% to 8.5% and the accommodation rate from 3.8% to 4.0%; the 2.6% reduced rate (food, medicines) is unchanged. The AHV would gain about CHF 1.4 billion a year, from 2028 at the earliest.
Government and Parliament recommend: yes. Final vote: National Council 108–85, Council of States 28–13. Needs a majority of the people and of the cantons (12 of the 23 cantonal votes).
Restricting fireworks
Adds an article to the Constitution banning the sale and use of noisy fireworks. Cantons may allow exceptions for events of supra-regional importance, such as 1 August. The indirect counter-proposal failed in Parliament's final vote, so the initiative goes to the ballot alone.
Government and Parliament recommend: no. Final vote: National Council 50–131, Council of States 3–40. Needs a majority of the people and of the cantons (12 of the 23 cantonal votes).
Taxation of married couples (Centre initiative)
Writes into the Constitution that married couples keep being taxed jointly for direct federal tax and may not pay more than other taxpayers. It runs against the individual taxation voters approved on 8 March 2026, due to apply from 2032. Estimated federal tax relief ranges from CHF 680 million to 3 billion a year, depending on implementation.
Government and Parliament recommend: no. Final vote: National Council 97–102, Council of States 20–24. Needs a majority of the people and of the cantons (12 of the 23 cantonal votes).
| Pollster | yes | no | undecided | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LeeWas | 38% | 51% | 11% | yes · 38% no · 51% |
| YouGov | 57% | 29% | 14% | yes · 57% no · 29% |
| gfs.bern | 55% | 34% | 11% | yes · 55% no · 34% |
| Average of the three | 50% | 38% | 12% | yes · 50% no · 38% |
The pollsters disagree: LeeWas has the no side ahead; YouGov and gfs.bern have yes ahead.
War materiel exports
Loosens the rules on exporting and re-exporting war materiel. Sales to 36 partner states with export controls similar to Switzerland's may be authorised even when the buyer is in an armed conflict, if compatible with neutrality. The Federal Council may depart from the criteria in extraordinary circumstances.
Government and Parliament recommend: yes. Final vote: National Council 122–68, Council of States 31–11. A majority of the people is enough.
Results
Polls close at noon on Sunday, Nov 29: 6 AM in Washington, DC. The Federal Statistical Office (BFS) publishes results for each municipality and canton through the afternoon. Spain votes the same day.
Data checked on 02/11/2026. Texts, recommendations and rules: Federal Chancellery (official booklet). Polls: each pollster, linked. Results: BFS, on opendata.swiss.