2010 Swiss referendums

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Six referendums were held in Switzerland during 2010; three in March on pension funds, animal protection and a constitutional amendment, one in September on unemployment benefits, and two in November on deporting foreign criminals and introducing a canton tax.

Results

March

Voters approved Provision 1, an amendment to the constitution on research on humans.[1]

Choice Votes % Cantons
Full Half Total
For 1,708,488 77.21 20 6 23
Against 504,167 22.79 0 0 0
Invalid/blank votes 84,893 – – – –
Total 2,297,548 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 5,051,169 45.49 – – –
Source[2]

Voters rejected Provision 2, a federal decree on providing enhanced legal protection for animals.[1]

Choice Votes % Cantons
Full Half Total
For 671,731 29.50 0 0 0
Against 1,605,141 70.50 20 6 23
Invalid/blank votes 37,618 – – – –
Total 2,314,490 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 5,051,169 45.82 – – –
Source[3]

Voters also rejected Provision 3, a federal law which would change the minimum conversion rate for occupational and disability pension plans.[1]

Choice Votes %
For 617,209 27.27
Against 1,646,369 72.73
Invalid/blank votes 47,474 –
Total 2,311,052 100
Registered voters/turnout 5,051,169 45.75
Source[4]

September

The referendum held on 26 September had a single topic, namely the revision of unemployment benefits. The centre and right-wing parties were in favour of the revision, which was undertaken to reduce the debt of the ALV, while the left-wing parties were against it.[5]

The referendum was approved by 53.4% of voters, although only the German-speaking cantons (all of them except Basel-Stadt, which was against it with 50.4%) approved it.[6][7]

Choice Votes %
For 958,913 53.42
Against 836,101 46.58
Invalid/blank votes 24,463 –
Total 1,819,477 100
Registered voters/turnout 5,077,180 35.84
Source[8]

November

The referendum held on 28 November had two issues:

  • «Für die Ausschaffung krimineller Ausländer» ("For the deportation of criminal foreigners"), proposed by the Swiss People's Party, as well as a counterproposal by the other partes; and
  • «Steuergerechtigkeits-Initiative» ("Taxation justice initiative") for higher taxes on high incomes and property as well as the introduction of a minimum cantonal tax.[9]

The SVP's federal popular initiative on deportation was accepted with 52.2% and a majority of cantons in favour, while the counterproposal failed with only 44.5% in favour. Whilst it was not required, the tie-breaker showed a majority of voters against but a majority of cantons for. On 28 February 2016, a follow-up initiative, also launched by the SVP, was rejected by voters.[10][11][12] The deportation initiative went in effect on 1 October 2016.[12]

Question For Against Blank Invalid
votes 		Total Registered
voters 		Turnout
Votes % Cantons Votes % Cantons Votes %
Full Half Total Full Half Total
Proposal 1,397,923 52.26 15 5 17.5 1,243,942 46.51 5 1 5.5 32,762 1.23 16,172 2,690,799 5,084,053 52.93
Counter-proposal 1,189,269 44.46 0 0 0 1,407,830 52.64 20 6 23 77,528 2.90 16,172 2,690,799 5,084,053 52.93
Source[13]
Tie-breaker
Choice Votes % Cantons
Full Half Total
Proposal 1,252,761 46.84 13 4 15
Counter-proposal 1,271,365 47.53 7 2 8
Blank 150,501 5.63 – – –
Invalid votes 16,172 – – – –
Total 2,690,799 100 20 3 23
Registered voters/turnout 5'084'053 52.93 – – –
Source: Direct Democracy

The taxation initiative failed with only 41.5% in favour.

Choice Votes % Cantons
Full Half Total
For 1,073,229 41.54 3 1 3.5
Against 1,510,589 58.46 17 5 19.5
Invalid/blank votes 78,292 – – – –
Total 2,662,110 100 20 6 23
Registered voters/turnout 5,084,053 52.36 – – –
Source[14]

Withdrawn

In August 2010, family members of a murder victim launched another constitutional amendment initiative to provide for capital punishment in cases of murder combined with sexual violence.[citation needed] The initiative quickly found itself at the center of public attention and was roundly rejected by political leaders; it was withdrawn a day after its official publication.[15]

References

  1. ^ a b c Election Profile IFES
  2. ^ Direct Democracy
  3. ^ Direct Democracy
  4. ^ Direct Democracy
  5. ^ Abstimmung 26.09.2010: Revision der Arbeitslosenversicherung Vimentis
  6. ^ Deutschschweizer Stimmvolk bringt den Durchbruch NZZ, 26 September 2010
  7. ^ Und wieder klafft der Röstigraben NZZ, 27 September 2010
  8. ^ Direct Democracy
  9. ^ Eidgenössische Abstimmung vom 28. November 2010 Archived 27 October 2010 at the Wayback Machine NZZ
  10. ^ Raaflaub, Christian (6 January 2016). "Deportation initiative back before voters - SWI". Swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  11. ^ Stephens, Thomas (28 February 2016). "Swiss voters reject hardline initiative on criminal foreigners - SWI". Swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  12. ^ a b "Foreign Criminal Expulsion Law Set for October". Swissinfo. 4 March 2016. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  13. ^ Direct Democracy
  14. ^ Direct Democracy
  15. ^ "Death penalty initiative is withdrawn". swissinfo. 25 August 2010. Retrieved 25 August 2010.