Referendum: Swiss vote ’no’

Swiss say 'NO' to International treaty referendums - Central Europe News Briefs: Jul/Aug. 2012

With a relatively high turnout of 37.8%, Swiss voters turned down a measure that would call for referendums concerning international treaties.

The 17 June referendum had been called by the ultra-conservative Action for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland, in hopes that Swiss citizens would prefer greater direct democracy concerning international affairs.

By an overwhelming majority of 75.2%, Swiss declined the proposal, with none of the Alpine country’s 26 cantons voting in favour of it.