Events during the year 1975 in Switzerland.

Incumbents Federal Council: Pierre Graber (president) Hans Hürlimann Georges-André Chevallaz Willi Ritschard Kurt Furgler Ernst Brugger Rudolf Gnägi

Events January 2 January – Major fire at the Fischer casting company in Alpnach-Dorf (Obwalden). Damage amounts to 15 million francs 17-19 January – In the context of the International "Year of the Woman", there were demonstrations and the Fourth Congress of Swiss Women held in Bern 26 January – Fire at the "Au Grand Passage" store in Geneva. The establishment is completely destroyed from the second to the sixth floor. Damage estimated near one hundred million francs

February 5 February – Guido Nobel is appointed director of the PTT replacing Fritz Bourquin, who resigned 13 February – Opening of Glattzentrum, the first large shopping center in Switzerland located on the outskirts of Zurich in Wallisellen, housing several brands like Migros, Globus, and Jelmoli 14 February – Protest in Sion against the closure of Bally workshops in Valais 22 February – For the fourth time in its history, CP Berne becomes Swiss ice hockey champion 26 February – Moritz Suter, former pilot of Swissair, founds Business Flyers Basel, which will later become Crossair

March 2 March – Federal votes. The article of the constitution on conjunctural policy is not approved by the cantons (11 against 11), although the people approved it with yes (52.8%) against no (47.2%) 6 March – The National Council debates the legalization of abortion 16 March – In the context of the Jura question plebiscites, the districts of Courtelary, Moutier, and La Neuveville vote to remain in the Canton of Bern 27 March – Last projection of the Ciné-Journal Suisse in cinemas

April 1 April – 500 anti-nuclear activists invade the site planned for the construction of the nuclear power plant in Kaiseraugst 5 April – Avalanches block roads and railways in the Alps 6 April – An avalanche carries away a chalet in Val Blenio. Its five occupants are killed instantly 12 April – At the maternity ward in Bern, Ruth Winterberger from Brienz gives birth to quintuplets 20 April Cantonal elections in Basel-Landschaft. Clemens Stöckli (CVP), Theo Meier (FDP), Paul Manz (UDC), Paul Jenni (SPS), and Paul Nyffeler (FDP) are elected to the Council of States in the first round of voting Cantonal elections in Ticino. Benito Bernasconi (SPS), Ugo Sadis (FDP), Argante Righetti (FDP), Flavio Cotti (CVP), and Fabio Vassalli (CVP) are elected to the Council of States in the first round of voting 27 April Cantonal elections in Zurich. Jakob Stucki (UDC), Peter Wiederkehr (CVP), Hans Künzi (FDP), Alois Günthard (UDC), Albert Mossdorf (FDP), Alfred Gilgen AdI, and Arthur Bachmann (SPS) are elected to the Council of States in the first round of voting

May 3 May – Inauguration of the new Theater Basel 22 May – General Motors announces the closure of its assembly line in Bienne (BE) by the end of August. 450 people will lose their jobs 25 May – Inauguration of the SBB line at Heitersberg, between Lenzburg and Zurich. The new route reduces travel time by 10 minutes between Olten and Zurich 29 May – Discontinuation of ferry transport for railcars on Lake Constance 31 May – Premiere of the revival of La Servante d’Evolène by René Morax at the Théâtre du Jorat in Mézières, directed by Paul Pasquier

June 8 June 1975 Swiss referendums. The people approve, with yes (85.5%) against no (14.5%), the federal decree on currency safeguardingDieter Nohlen & Philip Stöver (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp1922–1923 Federal votes. The people approve, with yes (53.5%) against no (46.5%), the federal decree concerning national road financing Federal votes. The people reject, with no (51.8%) against yes (48.2%), the federal law amending the general tariff of customs Federal votes. The people approve, with yes (56.0%) against no (44.0%), the federal decree concerning tax revenue increase Federal votes. The people approve, with yes (75.9%) against no (24.1%), the federal decree curbing decisions on expenditures 14 June – FC Zurich secures, for the seventh time in its history, the title of Swiss football champions 20 June – Belgian Roger De Vlaeminck wins the Tour de Suisse cycling race 25–28 June – The 1975 World Archery Championships take place in Interlaken

August 1 August – In Helsinki, ratification of the final act of the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe by thirty-five countries, including Switzerland 30 August – Torrential rains in the region of Langenthal cause significant damage due to flooding of the Langete

September 14 September – As part of the Jura referendums, the German-speaking district of Laufen votes to remain in the Canton of Bern 16 September – Heavy rain in Ticino. Landslides lead to the closure of the Val Blenio road and the Lukmanier Pass becomes impassable

October 11 October – Inauguration of the new Montreux Casino 17 October – Swiss chemist of Croatian origin Vladimir Prelog receives the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 22 October – Ratification of the Bonn agreement, laying the foundation for cross-border cooperation in the Basel region, involving Germany, France, and Switzerland 26 October – Federal elections for the National Council. The Socialists emerge victorious with a gain of 9 seats. Securing 25% of the votes, they become the largest party in the National Council (55 seats). The Liberal Party holds 47 seats (-2), the Christian Democrats 46 (+2), and the Swiss People's Party 21 (-2). With 11 seats, the Alliance of Independents remains the strongest non-governmental party

November 6 November – Inauguration of the new road at the Simplon Pass 14 November – Opening of a section on the A9 motorway, between Villeneuve and Aigle 20 November – Opening of an section on the A5 motorway, between Saint-Blaise and Le Landeron 24 November – The Swiss Society for the Watch Industry (SSIH) announces the dismissal of 170 people in Bienne and Cornol

December 7 December 1975 Swiss referendums. The people approve, with yes votes (75.6%) against no votes (24.4%), the federal decree amending the constitution regarding freedom of establishment and regulation of assistance Federal referendums. The people approve, with yes votes (77.5%) against no votes (22.5%), the revision of the constitution in the field of water economy Federal referendums. The people approve, with yes votes (52.0%) against no votes (48.0%), the federal law on the import and export of processed agricultural products

Births 25 January – Sandra Cattaneo, ice hockey player 9 May – Andrea Huber, cross-country skier 22 December – Sergei Aschwanden, judoka

Deaths 10 January – Dorette Berthoud, novelist and literary critic (born 1888) 12 February – Carl Lutz, diplomat (born 1895) 18 February – Sasha Morgenthaler, artist and creator of the Sasha doll (born 1893) 20 February – Jacques Béranger, former director of the Lausanne Municipal Theater (born 1896) 28 February – Robert Lips, painter and cartoonist (born 1912) 16 March – Francis-Marius Messerli, founder of the Swiss Olympic Association (born 1888) 1 April – Alfred Roulin, director of the Cantonal and University Library of Lausanne (born 1885) 15 April – Charles Journet, cardinal (born 1891) 3 May – Samuel Gonard, president of the International Committee of the Red Cross (born 1896) 30 May – Michel Simon, comedian (born 1895) 17 December – Ferdinand Gonseth, mathematician and philosopher (born 1890) 22 November – Jakob Bührer, writer (born 1882)

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