GENEVA – Voters overwhelmingly rejected a referendum Sunday that would have made Switzerland the world's first country to guarantee a generous monthly income to all 8.1 million residents.
Nearly 77% of the voters opposed the controversial measure that would mandate the government to pay $2,600 a month to each adult — regardless of work status or wealth — and $650 to each child. Only 23% favored the referendum.
"The results demonstrate that voters are satisfied with the way our economy functions and don't think it needs to be revolutionized," said Alain Berset, head of the Federal Department of Home Affairs.
Member of Parliament Marcel Dobler echoed the government's statement: “The majority of people are clearly not ready for such a radical experiment.”
The prospect of an unconditional basic income is being discussed in various cities in the Netherlands, Finland, Canada, New Zealand and other nations. But Switzerland is the first country to actually vote on a guaranteed income on the national level.
Backers of the referendum claimed the money would offer all adults an option of reducing their working hours while maintaining a decent standard of living. But Sunday’s vote proved that “people don’t want this,” member of Parliament Jean-Christophe Schwaab told Swiss television.
Legislators urged voters to turn down the proposal, arguing that, if passed, it would weaken Switzerland’s prosperous economy and diminish its workforce.
The government warned that the $200 billion a year needed to fund the plan would lead to tax hikes and cuts in public spending.
A survey released Sunday by gfs.bern research institute showed the majority of voters rejected the proposal because they did not see it as financially feasible. They also cited concerns that unconditional income would attract more foreigners to Switzerland and diminish the incentive to work.
Supporters of the referendum still see a silver lining in their defeat.
“When we started our campaign, approval rates were less than 10%. Now there is no doubt that this issue will continue to be an integral part in Swiss politics of the future,” the campaign’s co-organizer, Che Wagner, told USA TODAY. “Also, we helped push for a global debate about this important issue in Switzerland, Europe and worldwide.”
The referendum was started by a group of artists, writers and other intellectuals. The Swiss system of direct democracy allows citizens to bring an issue to a nationwide vote if they collect 100,000 signatures on a petition.
