| Country: | Switzerland | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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]
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]
| Question | For | Against | Invalid/ blank | Total votes | Registered voters | Turnout | Outcome | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Cantons | Votes | % | Cantons | ||||||
| Initiative for a 13th OASI pension payment | 1,884,096 | 58.25 | 1,350,325 | 41.75 | 28,758 | 3,263,179 | 5,591,446 | 58.36 | |||
| Pensions Initiative (retirement age) | 808,578 | 25.25 | 0 | 2,393,930 | 74.75 | 47,547 | 3,250,055 | 58.13 | |||
| Source: Federal Chancellery[6] | |||||||||||
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]
| Question | For | Against | Invalid/ blank | Total votes | Registered voters | Turnout | Outcome | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Cantons | Votes | % | Cantons | ||||||
| Premium Relief Initiative | 1,116,910 | 44.53 | 1,391,413 | 55.47 | 45.42 | ||||||
| Cost-Brake Initiative | 927,322 | 37.23 | 1,563,379 | 62.77 | 45.37 | ||||||
| Initiative for Freedom and Physical Integrity | 654,996 | 26.27 | 1,838,538 | 73.73 | 45.34 | ||||||
| Federal Act on Secure Electricity Supply from Renewable Energy Sources | 1,717,387 | 68.72 | 781,769 | 31.28 | 45.39 | ||||||
| Source: Federal Chancellery[8] | |||||||||||
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.
Both referendums were rejected by voters.[13] [14]
| Question | For | Against | Invalid/ blank | Total votes | Registered voters | Turnout | Outcome | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Cantons | Votes | % | Cantons | ||||||
| Biodiversity Initiative | 926,159 | 36.97 | 1,579,316 | 63.03 | 45.19 | ||||||
| Occupational Pension Reform | 810,777 | 32.88 | 1,655,316 | 67.12 | 45.04 | ||||||
| Source: Federal Chancellery[15] | |||||||||||
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 cantonal referendum in Basel also passed with 66.4% of voters in favour.[20]
| Question | For | Against | Invalid/ blank | Total votes | Registered voters | Turnout | Outcome | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Cantons | Votes | % | Cantons | ||||||
| Expansion programme for the national highways | 1,181,557 | 47.30 | 1,316,500 | 52.70 | 45.05 | ||||||
| Tenancy Law: Subletting | 1,196,640 | 48.42 | 1,274,814 | 51.58 | 44.89 | ||||||
| Tenancy Law: Termination to permit personal use | 1,141,741 | 46.17 | 1,331,128 | 53.83 | 44.90 | ||||||
| Health Insurance Act: Standardised financing of benefits | 1,302,528 | 53.31 | 1,140,791 | 46.69 | 44.87 | ||||||
| Source: Federal Chancellery[21] | |||||||||||