Civic Duty Initiative Leaves the Petition Stage and Enters November

BERN - Campaigners for the Civic Duty Initiative opened the public stretch toward 30 November, arguing that compulsory service should no longer fall only on men in uniform. The Federal Council has recommended rejection, citing cost, administration and the risk of weakening the army without building a useful civil replacement.

Youth groups on the left like the equality argument. Officers' associations do not like the dilution argument. Women voters, the polls will later show, are not a bloc.

A second text on the same Sunday

The Young Socialists' climate inheritance tax shares the date. Two left-leaning ideas on one ballot can help each other to a meeting hall. They can also help each other to a no.