Swiss rejects lure of monthly free income of 2,500 Swiss francs

The sculpture of "Dying Lion," which was created by carving natural cliff, in Luzern, Switzerland, depicts a dying lion in pain after suffering fatal injury and symbolizes royalty and courage of the Swiss. It was built on August 10, 1821 to honor 786 Swiss mercenaries who died on August 10, 1792 while guarding the palace to the last moment to enable by King Louis XVI of France to escape during the French Revolution.

Lying behind the fact all other royal guards ran away but only the hired Swiss soldiers remained on duty and courageously perished is a sad history of Switzerland. The soldiers fulfilled their mission through death, since they believed that if they lose trust even just once, their future generation will never have a chance to serve as mercenaries. Now Switzerland is a rich country, but in the past, it was an impoverished country in Europe, which was struggling amid unfavorable natural environment, sandwiched between European powers. Since the Middle Age, Swiss people would go combat missions in foreign lands to make living, and earned legendary reputation through their highly royal and faithful service. For this reason, the Swiss guards have also been guarding the Vatican since 1506.

The Swiss people inherited the spirt of their ancestors who courageously died to carry out their mission even as mercenaries, and they are also known for disliking things offered for nothing. Perhaps it is for this reason. A measure for the government to pay 2,500 Swiss francs per month to enable its people to make living even without getting job, while removing the inefficient welfare system, was voted down by an overwhelming opposition of 77 percent versus 23 percent in a national referendum on Sunday. The Swiss made wise and practical judgement, rather than being lured by the populism of freebies. Attention is focusing on what impact the outcome in Switzerland will have on the Netherlands and Finland, which are discussing a basic income system.

In Switzerland, an issue that has earned signatures by more than 100,000 people can be put to a national referendum. The latest vote was conducted after BIS, an organization supporting introduction of basic income, collected 130,000 signatures. BIS said, “Now is just the start.” It means that the organization’s primary goal was to increase interest in the issue by having basic income adopted as national agenda. Discussions will likely continue going forward. Nevertheless, the Swiss people will not likely be easily seduced by the lure of free money, as long as they remember "Dying Lion."

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