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Seven referendums were held in Switzerland in 1972.[1] The first two were held on 5 March on a popular initiative on the promotion of housebuilding (and a counter-proposal) and on an amendment to the Swiss Federal Constitution to protect tenants.[2] The popular initiative was rejected, whilst the constitutional amendment was approved.[2] The third and fourth were held on 4 June on measures to stabilise the federal construction market and protecting currency, both of which were approved.[2] The fifth was held on 24 September on a popular initiative for enhanced arms control and a ban on weapon exports, but was narrowly rejected.[3] The final two were held on 3 December on a popular initiative on introducing a "people's pension" (and a counterproposal) and on an agreement with the European Community. The pensions initiative was rejected, whilst the agreement was approved.[1]

Results

March: Housebuilding

Choice Popular initiative Counterproposal
Popular vote Cantons Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total Votes % Full Half Total
For 360,262 28.9 0 0 0 727,629 58.5 18 6 21
Against 835,315 67.1 19 6 22 432,872 34.8 1 0 1
No answer 48,915 3.9 – – – 83,991 6.7 – – –
Blank votes 26,974 – – – – 26,974 – – – –
Invalid votes 14,427 – – – – 14,427 – – – –
Total 1,285,893 100 19 6 22 1,285,893 100 19 6 22
Registered voters/turnout 3,600,759 35.7 – – – 3,600,759 35.7 – – –
Source: Direct Democracy

March: Protection of tenants

Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 1,057,322 85.4 19 6 22
Against 180,795 14.6 0 0 0
Blank votes 45,638 – – – –
Invalid votes 1,959 – – – –
Total 1,285,714 100 19 6 22
Registered voters/turnout 3,600,759 35.7 – – –
Source: Direct Democracy

June: Construction market

Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 774,794 83.3 19 6 22
Against 154,827 16.7 0 0 0
Blank votes 33,453 – – – –
Invalid votes 781 – – – –
Total 963,855 100 19 6 22
Registered voters/turnout 3,604,099 26.7 – – –
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

June: Currency protection

Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 808,974 87.7 19 6 22
Against 113,164 12.3 0 0 0
Blank votes 40,014 – – – –
Invalid votes 1,035 – – – –
Total 963,187 100 19 6 22
Registered voters/turnout 3,604,099 26.7 – – –
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

September: Arms control

Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 585,046 49.7 6 2 7
Against 592,833 50.3 13 4 15
Blank votes 18,598 – – – –
Invalid votes 1,762 – – – –
Total 1,198,239 100 19 6 22
Registered voters/turnout 3,620,937 33.1 – – –
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

December: People's pension

Choice Popular initiative Counterproposal
Popular vote Cantons Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total Votes % Full Half Total
For 294,511 15.6 0 0 0 1,393,797 74.0 19 6 22
Against 1,481,488 78.6 19 6 22 418,018 22.2 0 0 0
No answer 108,776 5.8 – – – 72,960 3.9 – – –
Blank votes 20,837 – – – – 20,837 – – – –
Invalid votes 15,614 – – – – 15,614 – – – –
Total 1,921,226 100 19 6 22 1,921,226 100 19 6 22
Registered voters/turnout 3,628,891 52.9 – – – 3,628,891 52.9 – – –
Source: Direct Democracy

December: Agreement with the European Community

Choice Popular vote Cantons
Votes % Full Half Total
For 1,344,994 72.5 19 6 22
Against 509,465 27.5 0 0 0
Blank votes 62,125 – – – –
Invalid votes 3,569 – – – –
Total 1,920,153 100 19 6 22
Registered voters/turnout 3,628,891 52.9 – – –
Source: Nohlen & Stöver

References

  1. ^ a b Nohlen, D & Stöver, P (2010) Elections in Europe: A data handbook, pp1920–1921 ISBN 9783832956097
  2. ^ a b c Nohlen & Stöver, p1920
  3. ^ Nohlen & Stöver, p1921
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