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.
March referendums 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. The "Pensions Initiative (retirement age)" aimed to increase the retirement age this year, and raise it automatically every year.
The Swiss government recommended voters to reject both referendums, however polls showed voters were likely to accept the first initiative and reject the second, which was also the final result.
Results QuestionForAgainstInvalid/blankTotalvotesRegisteredvotersTurnoutOutcomeVotes%CantonsVotes%CantonsInitiative for a 13th OASI pension payment1,884,09658.251,350,32541.7528,7583,263,1795,591,44658.36Pensions Initiative (retirement age)808,57825.2502,393,93074.7547,5473,250,05558.13Source: Federal Chancellery
June referendums 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.
Results QuestionForAgainstInvalid/blankTotalvotesRegisteredvotersTurnoutOutcomeVotes%CantonsVotes%CantonsPremium Relief Initiative1,117,09544.531,391,64555.4736,4152,545,1555,599,46445.45Cost-Brake Initiative927,38637.231,563,76962.7751,2732,542,42845.40Initiative for Freedom and Physical Integrity655,10626.271,838,74073.7346,8422,540,68845.37Federal Act on Secure Electricity Supply from Renewable Energy Sources1,717,60768.72–781,81131.28–44,0082,543,42645.42Source: Federal Chancellery
September referendums Two national referendums were held on 22 September 2024 to vote on a reform of occupational pension schemes and a biodiversity initiative.
The reform of occupational pension schemes was supported by the government and opposed by the left-wing parties and trade unions. 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.
Results QuestionForAgainstInvalid/blankTotalvotesRegisteredvotersTurnoutOutcomeVotes%CantonsVotes%CantonsBiodiversity Initiative926,05936.961,579,46763.0430,4352,535,9615,611,28945.19Occupational Pension Reform810,56932.87–1,655,51367.13–61,4642,527,54645.04Source: Federal Chancellery
November referendums Four referendums 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. 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.
Results showed negative results for additional road infrastructure and rent changes, while approving changes to healthcare funding. The Eurovision expenditure referendum in Basel also passed with 66.6% of voters in favour.
QuestionForAgainstInvalid/blankTotalvotesRegisteredvotersTurnoutOutcomeVotes%Votes%Expansion programme for the national highways1,181,56047.301,316,50552.7032,2052,530,2705,615,20745.06Tenancy Law: Subletting1,196,64348.421,274,81851.5849,9682,521,42944.90Tenancy Law: Termination to permit personal use1,141,69346.171,331,13453.8349,1832,522,01044.91Health Insurance Act: Standardised financing of benefits1,302,68753.311,140,88446.6977,0102,520,58144.89Source: Federal Chancellery
See also Swiss referendums by year:
References