Swiss are battling to remain relevant to foreign investors

Switzerland, long an attractive location for corporations on the lookout for tax savings, is fighting to keep that standing.

Under pressure from abroad, it is doing away with a special benefit for multinationals and plans to tax everyone from globally active commodity traders to corner bakeries at the same rate.

Unhappy with the proposals — which include a reduction in regional rates that could hit municipal budgets — opponents are now forcing a referendum.