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Swiss Ambassador Explains Reasons for Voting Against Universal Basic Income

© Flickr / ITU PicturesGeneva, Switzerland
Geneva, Switzerland - Sputnik International
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Swiss Ambassador to Russia Pierre Helg told Sputnik about the reasons that his compatriots had for voting against the universal basic income (UBI) draft bill at June referendum.

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MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The proposal rejected by 76.7 percent of the voters called for all Swiss adults to be paid an unconditional monthly income, regardless of whether they worked or not.

"Our people are very pragmatic. OK, they thought, if we are paid in any case, first of all, how much it will cost, and, secondly, where the money will come from. If we do nothing, our stability and prosperity will fade away. And that is why they said no," Helg explained.

According to the authors of the initiative, which was proposed in early 2016, the UBI reflected the high cost of living in Switzerland. Meanwhile, opponents of the idea, including those from the government, believed that this innovation would weaken the country's economy.

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