Billions for the Army Instead of Health, Education, and Social Services? We Need Democratic Control Over Federal Finances.
The parliament distributes billions annually without the electorate having a say. In the cantons, the financial referendum has long proven effective. It's time for the federal government to also have democratic control over its expenditures.
Problem
- We can vote on laws, but not on billion-dollar expenditures. Parliament decides on tax money without democratic control.
- In parliament, billion-dollar expenditures are not decided by factual arguments, but by the strength of lobby groups. Well-organized interest groups push through their concerns – the population has no control over this distribution of federal spending.
- Whether school building or bypass road: in the cantons, eligible voters can have a say in major expenditures; yet, when it comes to the federal billion-dollar expenditures for the army, roads, or subsidies, the people have no say.
Solution
- With the financial referendum, eligible voters can demand the final say on major federal expenditures. 50,000 signatures are sufficient to trigger a referendum on billion-dollar expenditures.
- The financial referendum is not a new invention: in the cantons, the financial referendum has been established as a form of democratic control for decades. The federal government is thus adopting a proven successful model.
- Experience from the cantons shows: the mere possibility of a financial referendum leads to more careful decisions. Parliament and administration must better justify their expenditures and take societal interests more into account.
- The financial referendum applies to one-time expenditures over X million or recurring expenditures over Y million. Not every small expense goes to the people – but the large, groundbreaking decisions do.
- Sustainability requires long-term thinking: while parliament often follows short-term interests, the electorate can also bring in the perspective of future generations through the financial referendum.
Benefit
- More democracy: The electorate finally gains a say even in large federal expenditures. An important gap in direct democracy is closed.
- Better decisions: Billion-franc expenditures must in the future be publicly justified and transparently prepared. This leads to more thoughtful and balanced financial decisions.
- Proven system: What has been successfully practiced in the cantons for decades is finally coming to the federal level. A tested instrument for more democratic control.
- Intergenerational justice: The young generation is given a voice in expenditures that they will have to repay later. Future-oriented perspectives are given more weight.
- Democratic financial policy: Instead of lobby interests, the needs of the population will determine large expenditures in the future. This strengthens a balanced, responsible financial policy.
Public support
Total votes: 39
Breakdown: FullyOnBoard: 16, SoundsGood: 12, Concerns: 4, NoChance: 3, NothingAgainstIt: 3, NeedForDiscussion: 1