​​Yes on the War Materials Act, No on the “Fairness Initiative,” Voting instructions not provided on the AHV value-added tax

​​economiesuisse adopted its voting recommendations for the referendums on November 29, 2026, during its most recent Executive Committee and Board of Directors meetings.

​We strongly support the revised War Material Act (KMG). The geopolitical and security environment has changed dramatically in recent years. The revision of the War Material Act takes these new foreign and security policy realities into account. For example, the revision aims to facilitate the export of military equipment to certain recipient countries as well as its re-export. This is important because Swiss manufacturers of defense and dual-use goods rely on being able to export products in accordance with legal requirements. Furthermore, maintaining a domestic defense industry is essential for the Swiss Army’s defense capabilities and, consequently, for the security of our country. Security, in turn, is a key location factor for the Swiss economy. For these reasons, the Executive Committee decided in May to recommend a “yes” vote. economiesuisse will campaign for the bill together with a broad alliance.

​The popular initiative “Yes to Fair Federal Taxes for Married Couples Too—Finally End Discrimination Against Marriage” seeks to enshrine the joint taxation of married couples for federal direct taxes in the Federal Constitution. Furthermore, married couples must not be disadvantaged compared to other taxpayers. This would abolish the so-called “marriage penalty” at the federal level. From economiesuisse’s perspective, the initiative conflicts with the law on individual taxation adopted by voters on March 8, 2026. If the initiative were approved, the current joint taxation of married couples would have to be maintained at the federal level. At the cantonal and municipal levels, however, the transition to individual taxation would take place. This would lead to an unnecessary conflict between the two systems. economiesuisse has therefore called for a “No” vote. This decision is also based on the fact that individual taxation creates stronger incentives to work than the initiative does.

economiesuisse has also decided to give its members a free vote on the permanent increase in the value-added tax intended to partially finance the 13th AHV pension. The umbrella organization views Parliament’s decision not to raise payroll contributions as a positive step. However, economiesuisse views the fact that the VAT increase is indefinite and was not linked to binding structural reforms of the AHV as negative.