 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Outcome | Creation of the Fourth Republic of France. | |||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
|---|
A constitutional referendum was held in France on 13 October 1946. [1] Voters were asked whether they approved of a new constitution proposed by the Constituent Assembly elected in June. [2] Unlike the May referendum, which saw a previous constitutional proposal rejected, the new Constitution of 27 October 1946 was accepted by 53.2% of voters, and brought the Fourth Republic into existence. Voter turnout was 67.6%. [2]
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| For | 9,297,470 | 53.2 |
| Against | 8,165,459 | 46.8 |
| Invalid/blank votes | 329,079 | – |
| Total | 17,792,008 | 100 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 26,311,643 | 67.6 |
| Source: Nohlen & Stöver | ||
A constitutional referendum was held in Russia on 12 December 1993. The new constitution was approved by 58.4% of voters, and came into force on 25 December.
A constitutional referendum was held in France on 21 October 1945. Voters were asked whether they approved of the Assembly elected on the same day serving as a Constituent Assembly, and whether until a new constitution was approved, the country would be governed according to a proposed set of laws that appeared on the ballot paper. If the first proposal had not been approved, the Third Republic would have been restored, but its approval led to the elected Assembly drafting a constitution and proposing it to the people a year later, resulting in the creation of the Fourth Republic. Both were approved by wide margins with a turnout of 79.8%.
A constitutional referendum was held in France on 5 May 1946. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new draft Constitution proposed by the Constituent Assembly elected in 1945.
A constitutional referendum was held in France on 28 September 1958. Voters were asked whether they approved of the adoption of a constitution for the French Fifth Republic written by Charles de Gaulle. It was overwhelmingly approved, with 82.6% in favour. Voter turnout was 84.9% in Metropolitan France and 79.8% overall.
A constitutional referendum was held in France on 8 May 1870. Voters were asked whether they approved of the liberal reforms made to the constitution since 1860 and passed by the Sénatus-consulte on 20 April 1870. The changes were approved by 82.7% of voters with an 81.3% turnout. However, France's defeat in the Franco-Prussian War caused the Empire to be abolished later that year. Although this was the ninth constitutional referendum in French history, it was the first to have more than 8% oppose the motion; four of the previous seven had officially gained 99% approval.
A constitutional referendum was held in Poland on 25 May 1997. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new constitution. It was narrowly approved, with 53.5% voting in favour. Voter turnout was just 42.9%. Although the 1995 Referendum Act stated that a 50% turnout was required to validate the referendum, the Supreme Court ruled on 15 July that the constitution could be introduced.
A constitutional referendum was held in Albania on 7 November 1994. Voters were asked whether they approved of the new constitution published on 6 October, which would have given more power to the country's president. However, it was rejected by voters, with just 43.6% in favour. Voter turnout was 84.4%.
A constitutional referendum was held in Bulgaria on 16 May 1971. Voters were asked whether they approved of a new constitution. The new constitution defined Bulgaria as a "socialist state of the working people from the cities and the villages", led by the Bulgarian Communist Party in cooperation with the Bulgarian Agrarian National Union. The result was reportedly 99.7% in favour, with a voter turnout of 99.7%.
A constitutional referendum was held in Dahomey and French Togoland on 13 October 1946 as part of the wider French constitutional referendum. The new proposed new constitution was rejected by 72.8% of voters, with a turnout of 47.5%. However, the constitution was approved by a majority of voters in the overall results.
A referendum on a new constitution and citizenship was held in Estonia on 28 June 1992. Voters were asked whether they approved of the new constitution drawn up by the Constitutional Assembly and extending suffrage to people registered as citizens. The new constitution was approved by 91.9% of voters, whilst the suffrage extension was rejected by 53.5%. Voter turnout was 66.8% for the constitution question and 66.7% for the suffrage question.
A constitutional referendum was held in Italy on 7 October 2001. The amendment was supported by the Silvio Berlusconi government. Voters were asked whether they approved of amending the constitution to give more powers to the regions on issues including agriculture, education, healthcare and taxation. The proposals were approved by 64.2% of voters.
A constitutional referendum was held in Switzerland on 6 June 1848 and was the first referendum on record in the Swiss Confederation. The new constitution was approved by 72.8% of voters and a majority of cantons.
A constitutional referendum was held in Switzerland on 19 April 1874. The new constitution was approved by 63.2% of voters and a majority of cantons. It gave more responsibilities and powers to the federal government.
A constitutional referendum was held in Switzerland on 31 October 1880 aiming at a complete overhaul of the constitution. The constitutional amendments were rejected by 68.2% of voters and a majority of cantons.
A constitutional referendum was held in Switzerland on 25 October 1885. The constitutional amendments were approved by 59.4% of voters and a majority of cantons.
Two referendums were held in Switzerland in 1887. The first was held on 15 May, asking voters whether they approved of a federal law on spirits, and was approved by 65.9% of voters. The second was held on 10 July, asking voters whether they approved of an amendment made to article 64 of the federal constitution, and was approved by 77.9% of voters and 20.5 cantons.
Five referendums were held in Switzerland in 1891. The first was held on 15 March on a federal law on federal officials who had become unemployable due to disability, and was rejected by 79.4% of voters. The second was held on 5 July on a constitutional amendment, and was approved by 60.3% of voters. Two referendums were held on 18 October, one on revising article 39 of the federal constitution and one on a federal law on Swiss tariffs; both were approved. The last was held on 6 December on the question of whether the federal government should purchase the Swiss Central Railway, but was rejected by 68.9% of voters.
Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1903. The first was held on 15 March on a federal law on tariffs, and was approved by 59.6% of voters. The second, third and fourth were all held on 25 October concerning an amendment to the federal criminal law, a popular initiative on Swiss residents electing the National Council and an amendment to article 32bis of the constitution. All three were rejected by voters.
A double referendum was held in Switzerland on 15 May 1927. Voters were asked whether they approved of amending article 30 of the constitution and a federal law on car and bicycle traffic. The constitutional amendment was approved by voters, whilst the traffic law was rejected.
Four referendums were held in Switzerland during 1939. The first two were held on 22 January on a popular initiative on civil rights and a federal resolution on the restricted use of the urgency clause in the constitution. The third was held on 4 June on a constitutional amendment regarding the funding for government policies on defence and unemployment, and was approved by voters. The fourth was held on 3 December on a federal law on the employment status and insurance for federal civil servants, and was rejected by voters.
