Voters have the final say on Sunday on a controversial proposal by an environmental group to cap the number of holiday homes at a local level.
Four other issues, including an extension of statutory annual holidays and the re-introduction of an accord on fixed book prices, are also on the agenda.
It is the first in a series of regular nationwide votes following last October’s parliamentary elections.
The initiative launched by a prominent environmental foundation seeks to set a maximum quota of 20 per cent for holiday homes in every commune across the country.
Supporters argue the construction boom notably in mountain resorts has led to a waste of natural resources and massively boosted property prices, disadvantaging the local population.
There are an estimated 500,000 second homes in Switzerland accounting for about 12 per cent of total housing.
Opponents say the proposed limit runs counter to the cherished federalist system, under which local and cantonal authorities enjoy a high degree of autonomy.
The issue pits environmentalists – supported by the political centre-left and some centre-right groups – against the business community and the tourist industry.
The government and parliament have come out against the initiative. They say reforms of the zoning law – in force since last July – are a more suitable political instrument to combat excesses at a local level.
Books
Considerable debate in the run-up to Sunday has focused on the re-introduction of an agreement on fixed book prices. Approved by parliament last year its aim is to boost Swiss authors and publishers and to protect smaller bookshops.
However, an alliance of centre-right and rightwing groups challenged the decision to a referendum, saying the move would distort the book market.
The campaign was marked by confusion over the efficacy of fixed book prices, the scope of the agreement, and differences between the three main language regions in Switzerland.
Resale price maintenance regulations were repealed in the French-speaking part of Switzerland in the early 1990s, while in the main German-speaking region the book agreement was abolished only in 2007.
About 500 publishers in Switzerland produce around 10,000 books annually in all four national languages.
Holidays
A proposal by a trade union group to increase statutory annual holidays by two weeks to six weeks appears to have only a slight chance of winning voters’ approval.
Most political parties, the business community and the government have warned the initiative would result in higher labour costs and be detrimental to the economy.
Supporters, for their part, say ever increasing stress at the workplace justifies longer annual holidays.
Under Swiss law, employees get a minimum of four weeks per year, but some industrial sectors are granting more generous entitlements.
Previous attempts to extend statutory holidays failed at the ballot box, but parliament in 1985 decided to raise holidays by five working days to four weeks a year.
Tax and casino revenue
An initiative aimed at granting tax breaks to citizens saving up to acquire a house or an apartment also features on the ballot list. Supporters argue cantons should be allowed to grant fiscal incentives to raise the traditionally low rate of home ownership in Switzerland.
There has been virtually no campaigning on a government plan to enshrine in the constitution provisions to pass the proceeds of casinos and lotteries to social projects and the old age pension scheme.
Initially launched as a protective measure against increasing competition from abroad and on the internet, the vote is considered a mere formality.
Voter turnout on Sunday is expected to reach average levels of around 40 per cent.
Observers have pointed to a rather low-key campaign until February, blaming political fatigue following parliamentary and cabinet elections late last year.
Under Swiss law, initiatives – equivalent to a change in the constitution – require both a majority of voters and a majority of the 26 cantons to pass. For a referendum a majority of voters is sufficient.
About 5.1 million citizens, including 136,000 registered Swiss expatriates, are eligible to participate in the five nationwide ballots on March 11.
Votes and elections are also scheduled in many cantons and at a local level on the same day.
It is the first in a series of four nationwide ballots scheduled this year.
As part of ongoing trials with e-voting, around 122,000 citizens, mainly Swiss abroad, can cast their ballots online.