A historic push in Switzerland to end tax rules that penalise married couples when both partners work is facing resistance from conservative and family groups in the Alpine country.
Earlier this summer, Switzerland’s parliament narrowly voted in favour of a bill to scrap the current federal system of joint taxation, which has often led to dual-income married couples being taxed more than unmarried ones, especially when both partners are higher earners.
Advocates for the change argue the so-called marriage penalty punishes second earners — typically women — and reinforces a traditional model in which the husband works and the wife stays at home.