2006 Swiss referendums

Six referendums were held in Switzerland during 2006.^[1] The first was held on 21 May on revising article 48a in the Swiss Federal Constitution on education, and was approved by 86% of voters.^[2] The second set of three referendums was held on 24 September on proposed amendments to the laws on asylum and foreigners, as well as a popular initiative on diverting profits from the Swiss National Bank into the national pension fund. The two laws were approved, whilst the initiative was rejected.

The final two referendums were held on 26 November on laws on assistance to Poland and other poorer EU countries, and family allowances. Both were approved.^[3][4]

Results

Month	Question	For		Against		Invalid/ blank	Total	Registered voters	Turnout	Cantons for		Cantons against
		Votes	%	Votes	%					Full	Half	Full	Half
May	Constitutional amendment on education	1,137,450	85.6	191,666	14.4	26,943	1,356,059	4,877,897	27.8	20	6	0	0
September	Swiss National Bank profits	973,831	41.7	1,359,514	58.3	52,246	2,385,591	4,893,927	48.7	2	1	18	5
	Amendment to the foreigners law	1,602,134	68.0	755,119	32.0	36,243	2,393,496		48.9
	Amendment to the asylum law	1,598,399	67.8	760,787	32.2	34,620	2,393,806		48.9
November	Amendment to the family allowances law	1,480,796	68.0	697,415	32.0	28,268	2,206,479	4,902,446	45.0
	Law on assistance for eastern Europe	1,158,494	53.4	1,010,190	46.6	36,585	2,205,269		45.0
Source: Direct Democracy

References

1. Switzerland Direct Democracy (in German)
2. Switzerland, 21 May 2006: Reordering of the constitutional provision for education Direct Democracy (in German)
3. Switzerland, 26 November 2006: East Assistance Law Direct Democracy (in German)
4. Switzerland, 26 November 2006: Family Allowances Law Direct Democracy (in German)