Swiss Voters Reject Law Enhancing Landlords’ Powers Over Subletting

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Swiss voters have narrowly rejected a proposed legal change that would have granted landlords greater authority to restrict subletting by tenants, including through platforms like Airbnb. Preliminary results from Sunday’s referendum show that 51.6% of voters opposed the change, which was passed by parliament in 2023.

The Controversial Proposal

The proposed law aimed to address concerns that tenants were increasingly subletting their properties via Airbnb, thereby disrupting the rental market. Supporters of the change argued that it was necessary to prevent such practices, which they claimed were contributing to housing shortages in some areas. However, opponents, led by a major tenants’ association, countered that much of the Airbnb activity involved landlords themselves subletting their properties, rather than tenants doing so.

Kathrin Anselm, the head of Airbnb in Switzerland, denied the company’s involvement in creating a housing crisis, stating earlier this month that Airbnb had no influence on the residential rental market in Switzerland.

Broader Voting Trends

In addition to rejecting the subletting law, Swiss voters also voted down a separate proposal that would have given landlords more power to terminate leases when they wanted to use the property themselves. This proposal was also part of the same round of national referendums, which highlighted ongoing debates over tenant rights and housing policies in Switzerland.

These issues are particularly significant in Switzerland, where a large proportion of households—most recently recorded at the end of 2022—live in rented or cooperative housing.

Other Referendum Results

In other results, voters rejected government plans to expand Switzerland’s motorway network and, in a local referendum in Zurich, decided against removing gender-inclusive language from the city’s official texts. These results reflect the strong role of direct democracy in Swiss politics, with voters regularly being asked to weigh in on key legislative issues.

 

Caravaggio Portrait of Future Pope Urban VIII Goes on Public Display in Rome

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For the first time since its discovery over 60 years ago, a portrait by the renowned Baroque artist Caravaggio is on public display at Rome’s Palazzo Barberini. This rare artwork, depicting Monsignor Maffeo Barberini—later Pope Urban VIII—will be exhibited from November 23, 2023, to February 23, 2025.

Background on the Portrait

The painting, attributed to Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio in 1963, has been privately held and unseen by the general public or even most art specialists until now. It is one of the few surviving Caravaggio portraits, as many of his works have been lost or destroyed over time. The artwork portrays Barberini seated, gesturing with his right hand as though issuing commands. Experts believe it was created around the turn of the 17th century, preceding Barberini’s papacy, which began in 1623.

Curator Paola Nicita described the piece as having an “almost magnetic power,” emphasizing the significance of experiencing it in person rather than through photographs.

Significance of the Display

The portrait’s unveiling takes place at the National Gallery of Ancient Art in Palazzo Barberini—a historic venue closely tied to Urban VIII. The palace, constructed during his papacy by renowned architects Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Carlo Maderno, remained under Barberini family ownership until after World War II.

Thomas Clement Salomon, Director of the National Galleries of Ancient Art, highlighted the painting’s historical and artistic importance, noting its status as a masterpiece of the chiaroscuro technique, which Caravaggio famously used to bring his subjects to life.

Caravaggio’s Legacy

Caravaggio, who died in 1610 at just 38 years old, is celebrated for his dramatic use of light and shadow and his revolutionary approach to realism. His works have influenced generations of artists, and his portraits are particularly rare, making this exhibition a landmark event in the art world.

This exhibition offers a unique opportunity to engage with a significant piece of Caravaggio’s oeuvre while celebrating the enduring legacy of the Barberini family in the arts.

 

‘Wicked’ and ‘Gladiator II’ Dominate Domestic Box Office with $169.5 Million

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The domestic box office witnessed a blockbuster weekend as Wicked and Gladiator II combined to rake in $169.5 million in ticket sales across the U.S. and Canada.

Wicked: A Magical Debut

Universal Pictures’ Wicked, the first of a two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical, captivated audiences with its tale of the misunderstood, green-skinned student who becomes the Wicked Witch of the West. The film, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, achieved a record-breaking debut for a movie based on a Broadway musical.

  • Domestic Earnings: $114 million
  • International Earnings: $50.2 million
  • Global Total: $164.2 million

The movie outperformed previous Broadway adaptations, including Les Misérables, making it the biggest opening weekend for the genre.

Gladiator II: A Strong Second Act

Paramount Pictures’ Gladiator II, the long-anticipated sequel to the 2000 Oscar-winning epic, earned $55.5 million domestically. The film stars Paul Mescal, Pedro Pascal, and Denzel Washington in a narrative set 16 years after the original story.

  • Domestic Earnings: $55.5 million
  • Global Weekend Total: $106 million
  • Cumulative Global Earnings: $221 million (including its earlier release in international markets)

This sword-and-sandal epic continues to draw global audiences, fueled by a stellar cast and the legacy of its predecessor.

Box Office Highlights

The weekend showcased the power of established franchises and adaptations in attracting diverse audiences.

  • Wicked appealed to musical theater enthusiasts and new fans alike, delivering a dazzling cinematic experience.
  • Gladiator II capitalized on its historical drama roots and star power, maintaining momentum in its second week.

Both films underscore the enduring appeal of adaptations and sequels, proving their ability to dominate in a competitive box office landscape.