The Seven Weirdest Swiss Votes Of All Time

(MENAFN- Swissinfo) By far the most referendums in the world take place in Switzerland. So it's no wonder that some are a bit odd, for example whether to ban absinthe, driving on Sundays or cutting off cow horns. This content was published on May 10, 2025 - 11:00 7 minutes

As a reporter I cover developments in democracy where the Swiss perspective becomes relevant. I am Swiss and have long been fascinated by the way public discussions shape society.

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• German Departme

• Deutsch de Das sind die sieben schrägsten Schweizer Abstimmungen aller Zeiten Original Read more: Das sind die sieben schrägsten Schweizer Abstimmungen aller Zeite
• Français fr Voici les sept votations suisses les plus farfelues de tous les temps Read more: Voici les sept votations suisses les plus farfelues de tous les temp
• Italiano it Ecco le sette votazioni in Svizzera più strane di tutti i tempi Read more: Ecco le sette votazioni in Svizzera più strane di tutti i temp
• Русский ru Семь самых странных референдумов в Швейцарии Read more: Семь самых странных референдумов в Швейцари

Switzerland is a paradise of popular rights. If a citizen or group can collect 100,000 valid signatures in favour of an idea within 18 months, this people's initiative to amend the constitution must be put to a nationwide vote. What's more, laws can be challenged in a referendum, for which 50,000 signatures must be gathered within 100 days. Also, whenever the government and parliament want to change the constitution, a vote is held.

Swiss voters have made around 650 decisions since 1848. Here are some of the most peculiar ones, and ones that seem strange from today's perspective.

More More Why do some people vote against their best interests?

This content was published on Sep 16, 2016 An upcoming initiative on raising pension payments has raised questions about the role of personal and national interests in direct democracy.

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