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
For1,708,48877.2120623
Against504,16722.79000
Invalid/blank votes84,893
Total2,297,54810020623
Registered voters/turnout5,051,16945.49
Source[2]

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

Choice Votes % Cantons
Full Half Total
For671,73129.50000
Against1,605,14170.5020623
Invalid/blank votes37,618
Total2,314,49010020623
Registered voters/turnout5,051,16945.82
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 %
For617,20927.27
Against1,646,36972.73
Invalid/blank votes47,474
Total2,311,052100
Registered voters/turnout5,051,16945.75
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 %
For958,91353.42
Against836,10146.58
Invalid/blank votes24,463
Total1,819,477100
Registered voters/turnout5,077,18035.84
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
Proposal1,397,92352.2615517.51,243,94246.51515.532,7621.2316,1722,690,7995,084,05352.93
Counter-proposal1,189,26944.460001,407,83052.642062377,5282.9016,1722,690,7995,084,05352.93
Source[13]
Tie-breaker
Choice Votes % Cantons
Full Half Total
Proposal1,252,76146.8413415
Counter-proposal1,271,36547.53728
Blank150,5015.63
Invalid votes16,172
Total2,690,79910020323
Registered voters/turnout5'084'05352.93
Source: Direct Democracy

The taxation initiative failed with only 41.5% in favour.

Choice Votes % Cantons
Full Half Total
For1,073,22941.54313.5
Against1,510,58958.4617519.5
Invalid/blank votes78,292
Total2,662,11010020623
Registered voters/turnout5,084,05352.36
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. 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. 1 2 3 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. 1 2 "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.
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