2024 Swiss referendums

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2024 Swiss referendums
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg
March 2024 Swiss referendums
3 March 2024

Initiative for a 13th OASI pension payment
For
58.24%
Against
41.76%
Pensions Initiative (retirement age)
For
25.28%
Against
74.42%

Maps
2024 Swiss Pension Initiative Payment Referendum.svg
2024 Swiss Pension Initiative Retirement Referendum.svg
Results by canton
Yes      50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%
No      50–60%     60–70%     80–90%

Several referendums were held in Switzerland during 2024. National votes were held on 3 March, 9 June, and 22 September, and others were held on 24 November. [1]

Contents

March referendums

Two national referendums were held on 3 March 2024. Both were related to the pension system.

The Swiss government recommended voters to reject both referendums, however polls showed voters were likely to accept the first initiative and reject the second, [4] which was also the final result. [5]

Results

QuestionForAgainstInvalid/
blank
Total
votes
Registered
voters
TurnoutOutcome
Votes%CantonsVotes%Cantons
Initiative for a 13th OASI pension payment1,884,09658.2514+221,350,32541.756+4228,7583,263,1795,591,44658.36Approved
Pensions Initiative (retirement age)808,57825.2502,393,93074.7520+6247,5473,250,05558.13Rejected
Source: Federal Chancellery [6]

June referendums

Four referendum votes were held on 9 June 2024; two were regarding health insurance premiums, one regarding vaccinations, and one against a recent law concerning sustainable energy. [7]

Results

QuestionForAgainstInvalid/
blank
Total
votes
Registered
voters
TurnoutOutcome
Votes%CantonsVotes%Cantons
Premium Relief Initiative1,116,91044.537+121,391,41355.4713+5245.42Rejected
Cost-Brake Initiative927,32237.235+021,563,37962.7715+6245.37Rejected
Initiative for Freedom and Physical Integrity654,99626.270+021,838,53873.7320+6245.34Rejected
Federal Act on Secure Electricity Supply from Renewable Energy Sources1,717,38768.7220+62781,76931.280+0245.39Approved
Source: Federal Chancellery [8]

September referendums

Two national referendums were held on 22 September 2024 to vote on a reform of occupational pension schemes and a biodiversity initiative. [9] [10]

The reform of occupational pension schemes was supported by the government and opposed by the left-wing parties and trade unions. [11] [12] The biodiversity initiative had been tabled by nature and environmental protection associations, and opposed by a broad alliance of the main right-wing and centrist parties, farming circles and economic organisations. [11]

Both referendums were rejected by voters. [13] [14]

Results

QuestionForAgainstInvalid/
blank
Total
votes
Registered
voters
TurnoutOutcome
Votes%CantonsVotes%Cantons
Biodiversity Initiative926,15936.971+121,579,31663.0319+5245.19Rejected
Occupational Pension Reform810,77732.880+021,655,31667.1220+6245.04Rejected
Source: Federal Chancellery [15]

November referendums

Four referendums [16] took place on 24 November, including one on three new motorways and tunnel expansions, one on changes to rental contracts, one on a decision by parliament to fix rates at which cantons can fund healthcare. [17] A referendum was also held in Basel-Stadt whether to approve the grant of 34.96 million Swiss francs ($39.5 million) by cantonal authorities for the hosting of the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel. [18]

Results showed negative results for additional road infrastructure and rent changes, while approving changes to healthcare funding. [19] The Eurovision expenditure referendum in Basel also passed with 66.6% of voters in favour. [20]

QuestionForAgainstInvalid/
blank
Total
votes
Registered
voters
TurnoutOutcome
Votes%CantonsVotes%Cantons
Expansion programme for the national highways1,181,55747.307+421,316,50052.7013+2245.05Rejected
Tenancy Law: Subletting1,196,64048.4211+521,274,81451.589+1244.89Rejected
Tenancy Law: Termination to permit personal use1,141,74146.1710+421,331,12853.8310+2244.90Rejected
Health Insurance Act: Standardised financing of benefits1,302,52853.3114+621,140,79146.696+0244.87Approved
Source: Federal Chancellery [21]

References

  1. "Blank voting dates". Federal Chancellery.
  2. Swiss Federal Council. "Initiative for a 13th OASI pension payment" . Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  3. Swiss Federal Council. "Pensions Initiative (retirement age)" . Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  4. Romy, Katy (2024-02-21). "March 3 vote poll: backing for pension boost crumbles". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2024-03-02.
  5. Bradley, Simon (2024-03-03). "Swiss vote: 'yes' to higher pensions, 'no' to retiring later". SWI swissinfo.ch. Retrieved 2024-03-03.
  6. "Volksabstimmung vom 03.03.2024" [Referendum on 3 March 2024] (in German).
  7. "Swiss to vote on four issues on June 9". swissinfo.ch. January 31, 2024.
  8. "Volksabstimmung vom 09.06.2024" [Referendum on 9 June 2024] (in German).
  9. "Swiss to vote on pension reform and biodiversity in September". SWI swissinfo.ch. 2024-05-15. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  10. "Swiss to vote on pension reform and biodiversity in September". Le News. 2024-05-17. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  11. 1 2 "Swiss federal votes on September 22". SWI swissinfo.ch. 2024-08-09. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  12. "Swiss trade unions argue against pension reform". Le News. 2024-07-05. Retrieved 2024-08-31.
  13. "Swiss voters reject plan to boost biodiversity, vote against pension reform". France 24. 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  14. "Swiss voters reject biodiversity, pension reforms". dw.com. 2024-09-22. Retrieved 2024-09-23.
  15. "Volksabstimmung vom 22.09.2024" [Referendum on 22 September 2024] (in German).
  16. "Popular vote on 24 November 2024". The Federal Council . 2024-10-09. Retrieved 2024-11-24.
  17. "Next round of Swiss referenda announced". Le News. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-07-03.
  18. "Swiss region to vote on cost of 'blasphemous' Eurovision 2025". France 24. 2024-11-21. Retrieved 2024-11-21.
  19. "Seven lessons from the November 2024 Swiss referendums". SWI. 2024-11-24. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  20. "Eurovision 2025: Basel votes yes to funding song contest". Euronews. 2024-11-24. Retrieved 2024-11-25.
  21. "Volksabstimmung vom 24.11.2024" [Referendum on 24 November 2024] (in German).