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Referendum

Laws which have been adopted by parliament can be challenged by the public in a referendum. For such a ballot to take place, at least 50,000 signatures must be gathered within 100 days. The so-called optional referendum needs only a majority of votes to be passed in a nationwide poll. The electorate also has the final say on a decision by parliament to amend the constitution (mandatory referendum).

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SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR