New polls show voters are likely to reject the anti-immigration proposal; shopping in Switzerland is to become more attractive for foreign tourists; plus other news in our roundup this Wednesday.
The anti-immigration initiative now looks likely to fail
Two separate polls, released on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, reveal that merely two weeks before the June 14th referendum, voters look set to reject the ‘No to 10 million’ initiative.
According to the survey carried out by gfs institute on behalf of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, 52 percent of voters will ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ reject the proposal, while 45 percent would ‘definitely’ or ‘probably’ approve it.
Very similar results emerge from a concurrent poll, by Tamedia media group: 52 percent of respondents said they will vote ‘no’, while 47 percent will say ‘yes’.
Shopping in Switzerland is to become more attractive for foreign tourists
Prices are not about to drop, but the National Council is calling for a reduction of the upper limit of Value-Added Tax (VAT) refunds on purchases made in Switzerland.
On Tuesday, deputies approved a motion by MP Leo Müller to lower the minimum purchase amount for VAT relief from the current 300 francs to 150 francs.
Müller pointed out that foreign visitors are important for Switzerland’s economy, as they buy not only watches, but also less expensive souvenirs, specialty foods, and handicrafts.
However, Switzerland has a high upper limit for VAT refunds compared to other countries.
Geneva residents are starting to barricade themselves ahead of unrest
Two weeks before the start of the G7 summit in the nearby French city of Evian, Geneva businesses are already boarding up their windows against possible damage by angry protesters,
Though the so-called ‘NoG7 coalition’ is scheduled to demonstrate in the city on June 12th, 13th, and 14th, store fronts, restaurants, and other businesses, especially in the Bel-Air and Rues-Basses areas, are already setting up barricades.
READ MORE: The disruptions in and around Geneva you need to be aware of in June
Travel: SWISS postpones the resumption of Tel Aviv-bound flights
In mid-May, the national airline had announced plans to resume flights to and from the Israeli capital on July 1st.
On Tuesday, however, it said that regular Zurich to Tel Aviv operations will restart a month later – on August 1st.
The continued “tense situation in the Middle East has been the reason for several schedule changes since the beginning of the year,” the company explained.
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