Federal popular initiative "Yes to Europe"
The federal popular initiative "Yes to Europe" was a popular initiative that was voted on March 4, 2001 and was rejected. It demanded the immediate start of accession negotiations for Switzerland to join the European Union . The initiative was launched by the Initiative Committee on February 21, 1995, after those eligible to vote refused to join the European Economic Area in 1992 (→ federal vote on the EEA ) and the Federal Council had frozen the previous application for an unlimited period. The proponents and initiators asserted that Switzerland is bound by various laws of the European Union because of the bilateral agreements, but does not have a say in and decision-making. The Swiss government and the two parliamentary chambers recommended that the population reject the referendum. In the voting booklet (information brochure for the voting), the Federal Council wrote that it was aiming to join the European Union at the time, but that the initiative was calling for it to proceed too quickly.
Text of the initiative
The transitional provisions of the Federal Constitution are supplemented as follows:
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Art. 23 (new)
- Switzerland participates in the European integration process and aims to join the European Union for this purpose.
- The federal government starts accession negotiations with the European Union without delay.
- Accession to the European Union is submitted to the people and the cantons for voting in accordance with Article 89 paragraph 5.
- Art. 24 (new)
- In the accession negotiations and the adaptation of Swiss law to the law of the European Union, all authorities ensure that, in particular, the basic democratic and federal values as well as social and ecological achievements are safeguarded by suitable measures.
- Art. 25 (new)
- When implementing the Accession Treaty and the further development of the European Union as well as other questions of European integration, the federal government takes into account the competences of the cantons and safeguards their interests. He informs the cantons in a timely and comprehensive manner, listens to them and involves them in the preparation of decisions.
Result
The initiative was rejected by a clear majority. With a turnout of 55.8 percent, only 23.2 percent voted for the immediate start of EU accession negotiations, 76.8 percent against.
A majority of all cantons voted against the proposal. The popular initiative received the highest approval in the cantons of Geneva , Neuchâtel and Jura with 41.1 percent and 44.2 percent in each case. The clearest rejection was in the canton of Uri with 90.6 percent and Appenzell Innerrhoden with 93.2 percent no votes.
Web links
- Dossier on parlament.ch
- All referendums of March 4, 2001
- Results of the “Yes to Europe” referendum
- Federal Council opinion (PDF file; 11 kB)