Currently, anyone serving as at least eight years as a state minister for the canton receives a pension for life.

The Liberal Green party recently launched an initiative to have this system abolished, something that has already happened in other Swiss cantons.

Initiative organizers have until 8 July 2019 to collect the 5,227 signatures required for the referendum to proceed.

The organizers say they want ministers to treated in the same way as the rest of the population. They describe it as a matter of values and credibility.

If successful, the rules would change to a pension equal to 70% of the last salary paid for 24 months, an arrangement similar to regular employees.

Other cantons, such as Basel-City, Bern and Valais have abolished such schemes. Vaud still has one.

More on this:
Liberal Greens initiative (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now

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