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Are referendum results binding?

Switzerland

Switzerland

Answer
  • Mandatory referendum - always
  • Optional referendum - always
Source

 

FEDERAL CONSTITUTION OF THE SWISSCONFEDERATION

(Adopted1999; last amended 2013)

http://??www.??admin.??ch/??ch/??e/??rs/??c101.??html

Title 4: The People and the Cantons

Chapter 2: Initiative and Referendum

Art. 142 Required majorities

(1) Proposals that are submitted to the vote ofthe People are accepted ifa majority of those who vote approve them.

(2) Proposals that are submitted to the vote ofthe People and Cantons are acceptedif a majority of those who vote and a majority of the Cantons approve them.

(3) The result of a popular vote in a Cantondetermines the vote of the Canton.

(4) The Cantons of Obwalden, Nidwalden, Basel-Stadt,Basel-Landschaft, Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Appenzell Innerrhoden each have half a cantonalvote.

Title 6: Revisionof the Federal Constitution and Transitional Provisions

Art. 193 Totalrevision

(1) A total revision of theFederal Constitution may be proposed by the People or by either of the twoCouncils or be decreed by the Federal Assembly.

Art. 194 Partial Revision

(1) A partial revision of the FederalConstitution may be requested by the People or decreed by the Federal Assembly.

Art. 195 Commencement

Thetotally or partly revised Federal Constitution comes into force when it isapproved by the People and the Cantons.


 

BBC News: 'Swiss referendum backs executive pay curbs'

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-21647937
 


 

An article on a recent referendum on a partial constitutional revision also states that results are binding:

 

?Swiss voters have overwhelmingly backed proposals to impose some of the world's strictest controls on executive pay, final referendum results show. [?]The final results showed that all 26 Swiss cantons backed the proposals. In all, 1.6 million voters said 'Yes' against 762,000, who rejected the idea. [?] The 'fat cat initiative', as it has been called, will be written into the Swiss constitution and apply to all Swiss companies listed on Switzerland's stock exchange.?

 

 

?Swiss referendum backs executive pay curbs,? BBC News, 3 Mar. 2013.


 
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