Zurich: Municipal right of first refusal fails at the ballot box
Voters rejected the popular initiative by a surprisingly clear margin. There was a narrow majority in favor of the cantonal council's counter-proposal.
Voters in the canton of Zurich have voted surprisingly clearly against a municipal right of first refusal for properties. In the vote on Sunday, just under 60% voted against the popular initiative. The rural areas of the canton, where the rejection of the right of first refusal was very clear, were decisive for the decision. On the other hand, there was a narrow majority in favor of the cantonal council's counter-proposal. This provides for the framework credit for cantonal housing promotion to be increased from the current CHF 180 million to CHF 360 million. As a result, twice as much funding will be available in the canton of Zurich in future to subsidize housing for households with low incomes and assets. 51% of the votes cast were in favor of this proposal.
The initiative for the municipal right of first refusal was launched by the cooperatives and the SP. Commentators see the referendum decision as a victory for the conservative parties. «Apparently, the electorate weights freedom of ownership higher than the problem of the housing shortage,» writes SRF. (aw)
