Population backs the government in the Added Value initiative vote

The Socialist Party’s ‘Added Value’ initiative didn’t stand a chance with the people of Zug, but the housing problem is far from being solved.

The people of Zug have clearly rejected the SP's added value initiative (Mehrwertinitiative) and narrowly rejected the counter-proposal. This despite the fact that the housing problem has long been recognised as a fact by all sides and the acceptance that solutions are urgently needed. The SP did not succeed in explaining clearly to the population how the - admittedly complex - initiative would have alleviated the problem from their point of view.

The SP initiative, which would have promoted affordable housing, was more than clearly rejected on Sunday: 73.5% of the population were against it. Or in absolute figures: 21,284 Zug residents. The counter-proposal, which was a watered-down version of the initiative, was also rejected, albeit narrowly, with a No vote of 53.63%, compared to a Yes vote of 46.37%. The voter turnout was 38.34%.

From left to right: Michael Felber (Committee in favour of the counter-proposal), Cantonal Councillor Florian Weber, Adrian Risi (Committee against the initiative and counter-proposal) and SP President Zari Dzaferi  Photo: Stefan Kaiser
 

The result also shows that the majority of Zug residents support the government's approach, as set out in the ‘Wohnpolitischen Strategie 2030’ (Housing Policy Strategy 2030), which aims to solve the housing crisis through simplification, deregulation and the removal of hurdles.

The initiative, which would have resulted in an additional levy and additional paragraphs in the Building and Planning Act, was not approved. The fact that the SP initiative ‘2000 flats for Zug's middle class’, which was adopted in 2023, has been criticised as a failure that would put the brakes on housing construction, is unlikely to have helped.

Nevertheless, the issue is a burning issue for the people of Zug. Although the counter-proposal was rejected overall, it was accepted in Zug and Cham, in the more densely populated areas. This is a clear sign that politicians need to forge ahead with the implementation of the housing policy strategy. Because the SP's next housing initiative is already in the starting blocks.

Commentary from Tobias Söldi.