Regeringsgebouw Zwitserland

What do Swiss referendums actually vote on?

My Vote Counts! The Citizens’ Initiative is a strong advocate for a binding referendum. But how exactly does that work? Can you hold a referendum on anything? Are binding referendums mainly suited to Yes/No questions? Or can more complex issues also be voted on? Whenever the binding referendum comes up, people quickly look to Switzerland. Here’s a closer look.

The constitution

First of all, a binding citizens’ referendum is mandatory in Switzerland whenever there’s an amendment to the constitution, or a possible accession to a supranational organization such as the EU or NATO.

All sorts of topics suitable for a referendum

Votes are also held, for example, on changes to taxes. Thanks to referendums, Switzerland holds public debates on topics that in the Netherlands often fall outside political discourse, such as immigration (regularly), membership of the European Union (regularly), the complete abolition of the army (twice since 1989), and the introduction of a basic income. Politicians have no option to dodge topics or declare them taboo.

Various topics come up for a vote in a binding referendum

There have also been citizens’ initiatives to abolish the TV and radio licence fee and to raise the motorway speed limit to a maximum of 140 kilometres per hour. In a 2023 referendum in Switzerland, a narrow majority voted in favour of raising the retirement age for women. A ban on intensive livestock farming — also a question put to the referendum — did not pass. Environmental organizations and animal rights groups called for that measure, but around 63 percent of voters voted against it. The Swiss population has, however, decided via referendum that the country may no longer emit CO2 from 2050 onward.

Referendum turnout

Turnout for referendums is also relatively stable. Since 2000, turnout for referendums has averaged 45.2% of the eligible population. Another notable point is that the number of referendums in Switzerland has increased sharply over the last 35 years. In particular, the number of optional referendums and the number of citizens’ initiatives has risen sharply. For example, in the last 20 years, referendums have been adopted on restricting the free movement of people from the European Union and on banning the construction of minarets. These referendums are problematic from the standpoint of Switzerland’s international obligations and interests.

In total

Since 1848, there have been 595 referendums at the federal level, of which 218 were mandatory. Of those, 163 were adopted and 55 rejected.

The Netherlands

In the Netherlands, a vote was recently held again in favour of a corrective binding referendum. Such a referendum works as a brake: people can use it to block new legislation. That option is good, but citizens’ groups should also be able to take constructive action and submit their own proposals to the population.

Sources:

Switzerland, a referendum Valhalla / Peter Coenen. – Montesquieu Institute, 2015

What we can learn from the Swiss referendum / Arjan Nijeboer. – De Correspondent, March 2014

Retirement age raised for Swiss women / NOS. – 25 September 2022

Swiss vote in referendum: no more CO2 emissions by 2050 / Marc van Assen. – AD, 23 July 2023