The upper house of Parliament in Bern has cleared the way for Geneva to introduce a 24-week parental leave, lifting the federal opposition that had blocked the cantonal scheme for nearly two years.
Geneva voters backed the initiative by 58 percent in June 2023, adding eight weeks for the second parent on top of the existing 16-week maternity leave.
The reform had been suspended in 2024 because it clashed with federal law on income-replacement benefits - a law parliament has since revised to give cantons more flexibility.
The lower house must still give its final approval before Geneva families can begin claiming the longer leave.
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