2024 Swiss referendums

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

2024 Swiss referendums
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
Results by canton
Yes      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%
No      50–60%      60–70%      80–90%

March referendums

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

  • The "Initiative for a 13th OASI pension payment", proposed to add a 13th month of pension.[2]
  • The "Pensions Initiative (retirement age)" aimed to increase the retirement age this year, and raise it automatically every year.[3]

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

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Question For Against Invalid/
blank
Total
votes
Registered
voters
Turnout Outcome
Votes % Cantons Votes % Cantons
Initiative for a 13th OASI pension payment 1,883,465 58.24 14+22 1,350,257 41.76 6+42 58.34 Approved
Pensions Initiative (retirement age) 809,385 25.28 0 2,392,384 74.42 20+62 58.10 Rejected
Source: Federal Chancellery[6]

June referendums

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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

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Question For Against Invalid/
blank
Total
votes
Registered
voters
Turnout Outcome
Votes % Cantons Votes % Cantons
Premium Relief Initiative 1,116,910 44.53 7+12 1,391,413 55.47 13+52 45.42 Rejected
Cost-Brake Initiative 927,322 37.23 5+02 1,563,379 62.77 15+62 45.37 Rejected
Initiative for Freedom and Physical Integrity 654,996 26.27 0+02 1,838,538 73.73 20+62 45.34 Rejected
Federal Act on Secure Electricity Supply from Renewable Energy Sources 1,717,387 68.72 20+62 781,769 31.28 0+02 45.39 Approved
Source: Federal Chancellery[8]

September referendums

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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

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Question For Against Invalid/
blank
Total
votes
Registered
voters
Turnout Outcome
Votes % Cantons Votes % Cantons
Biodiversity Initiative 926,159 36.97 1+12 1,579,316 63.03 19+52 45.19 Rejected
Occupational Pension Reform 810,777 32.88 0+02 1,655,316 63.03 20+62 45.04 Rejected
Source: Federal Chancellery[15]

November referendums

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Three referendums will take 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.[16]

References

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  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. ^ a b "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. ^ "Next round of Swiss referenda announced". Le News. 2024-06-28. Retrieved 2024-07-03.