In Geneva voters have thrown out plans to reform the school system – but many think it may have been more of a question of tarnished leadership.
The reform would have kept children in the same class for longer before being divided into more academic routes or vocational training.
But with the close result, 50.8% rejected the idea, some say it may be down to the position of the cantonal education minister, Anne Emery-Torracinta. She’s being blamed for missing the abuse of autistic children in the Mancy special needs institution.
In Zurich, voters said no to lowering the voting age to 16.
Currently, only canton Glarus allows 16-year-olds to vote.
Campaigners say a lower voting age would mean more young people would become politically engaged. They point out that young apprentices pay into the AVS social security system and are eligible to pay tax at 17. They add they will live the longest with the consequences.
But the Liberal Party and the Swiss People’s Party say they doubted the move will mean the young are more politically active.
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