2010 Swiss referendums

Results

March

Voters approved Provision 1, an amendment to the constitution on research on humans.

Voters rejected Provision 2, a federal decree on providing enhanced legal protection for animals.

Voters also rejected Provision 3, a federal law which would change the minimum conversion rate for occupational and disability pension plans.

September

The referendum held on 26 September had a single topic, namely the revision of unemployment benefits. The centre and right-wing parties were in favour of the revision, which was undertaken to reduce the debt of the ALV, while the left-wing parties were against it.

The referendum was approved by 53.4% of voters, although only the German-speaking cantons (all of them except Basel-Stadt, which was against it with 50.4%) approved it.

November

The referendum held on 28 November had two issues:

• «Für die Ausschaffung krimineller Ausländer» ("For the deportation of criminal foreigners"), proposed by the Swiss People's Party, as well as a counterproposal by the other partes; and
• «Steuergerechtigkeits-Initiative» ("Taxation justice initiative") for higher taxes on high incomes and property as well as the introduction of a minimum cantonal tax.

The SVP's federal popular initiative on deportation was accepted with 52.2% and a majority of cantons in favour, while the counterproposal failed with only 44.5% in favour. Whilst it was not required, the tie-breaker showed a majority of voters against but a majority of cantons for. On 28 February 2016, a follow-up initiative, also launched by the SVP, was rejected by voters. The deportation initiative went in effect on 1 October 2016.

The taxation initiative failed with only 41.5% in favour.