Deadline solution initiative
The Federal Popular Initiative for the Termination Solution (in the case of termination of pregnancy) or, for short, the deadline solution initiative required the inclusion of an Article 34novie in the Swiss Federal Constitution . After the withdrawn initiative of 1971, it was the second popular initiative in which the impunity of abortion was called for.
The initiative was submitted by the Swiss Association for Unpunished Abortion on January 22, 1976. The vote took place on September 25, 1977. The Federal Council and Parliament did not make a recommendation, but submitted an indirect counter-proposal . The initiative was narrowly rejected by the Swiss electorate and clearly rejected by the cantons. The counter-draft (regulation of indications with social indication) was massively rejected in the referendum vote on May 28, 1978 because it was opposed from two sides, both by the progressive and the conservative forces. The deadline solution was finally introduced by law in 2002.
Initiative text
The initiative text read:
The Federal Constitution is amended as follows:
Art. 34novies (new)
Termination of pregnancy is unpunished if it is carried out by a doctor who is licensed to practice the profession within twelve weeks of the start of the last period and with the pregnant woman's written consent. The free choice of doctor is guaranteed.
In cooperation with the cantons, the Confederation takes the necessary measures to protect pregnant women and to promote family planning.
The French text of the initiative is authoritative.
Voting results
Of 3'811'426 eligible voters, 1,979'163 took part in the vote on the deadline solution, corresponding to a participation of 51.93%. The submission failed because of both the people and the estates .
| Canton | Yes (%) | No (%) | Participation (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
 Aargau
|
42.7% | 57.3% | 55.39% |
 Appenzell Ausserrhoden
|
36.3% | 63.7% | 52.86% |
 Appenzell Innerrhoden
|
7.4% | 92.6% | 60.59% |
 Basel-Country
|
59.7% | 40.3% | 52.53% |
 Basel city
|
66.4% | 33.6% | 47.23% |
 Bern
|
50.6% | 49.4% | 48.19% |
 Freiburg
|
26.0% | 74.0% | 47.98% |
 Geneva
|
78.7% | 21.3% | 43.13% |
 Glarus
|
41.6% | 58.4% | 46.47% |
 Grisons
|
28.9% | 71.1% | 49.81% |
 Lucerne
|
25.8% | 74.2% | 62.25% |
 Neuchâtel
|
75.1% | 24.9% | 43.91% |
 Nidwalden
|
24.1% | 75.9% | 62.75% |
 Obwalden
|
13.6% | 86.4% | 61.71% |
 St. Gallen
|
27.9% | 72.1% | 55.12% |
 Schaffhausen
|
52.4% | 47.6% | 75.29% |
 Solothurn
|
39.3% | 60.7% | 58.97% |
 Schwyz
|
20.4% | 79.6% | 56.40% |
 Ticino
|
49.0% | 51.0% | 52.26% |
 Thurgau
|
36.9% | 63.1% | 59.18% |
 Uri
|
19.1% | 80.9% | 61.98% |
 Vaud
|
76.4% | 23.6% | 40.90% |
 Valais
|
17.6% | 82.4% | 52.89% |
 train
|
35.3% | 64.7% | 62.68% |
 Zurich
|
60.2% | 39.8% | 54.51% |
 Swiss Confederation
|
48.3% | 51.7% | 51.93% |