A Swiss referendum, challenging parliament’s decision to prioritise compulsory military service over alternative civilian duties, has gathered enough support to force a national vote. + Get the most important news from Switzerland in your inbox The referendum committee is fighting parliament's decision to impose higher hurdles for opting for civilian service. It submitted around 57,000 referendum signatures to the authorities in the Swiss capital, Bern, on Thursday. This triggers conditions for a national vote that would decide on whether the parliamentary bill will be brought into force. + Swiss voters reject compulsory civic service for everyone The signatures send a strong signal against the weakening of civilian service, the referendum committee announced. It is led by the civilian service association Civiva and the Young Greens. More than 30 partner organisations and parties are supporting the referendum, including the Social Democrats, the Greens and the Group for a ...
