Is there such a thing as too much direct democracy?
Conservative isolationists want to make voters have the final say on every “important international treaty”, defying the government and parliament. But is this taking the democratic process too far?
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Billed as an initiative to boost direct democracy, the Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland group argues ordinary citizens have a better sense of foreign policy than the political elite and the business community.
Opponents say the initiative, which goes to a nationwide ballot on June 17, creates an unwieldy system, damaging Switzerland’s reputation as a predictable partner at the negotiating table and jeopardising the competitive edge of the country’s economy which has to be able to rely on legal certainty.
Most political parties, not only on the left but also in the political centre, argue the proposal by the isolationists risks undermining Switzerland’s cooperation on the international scene and puts an unduly heavy burden on the system of direct democracy. Voters would be called up around 500 times a year to decide on a host of highly technical and uncontroversial issues.
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The people’s rights in an era of globalisation
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In Switzerland, the government is answerable for foreign policy decisions not only to parliament, but also to the people and the cantons. All international treaties with important implications for the country, such as the enactment of new laws, can be put to a nationwide vote if at least 50,000 citizens or eight cantons so demand…
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Billed as an initiative to boost direct democracy, the Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland group argues ordinary citizens have a better sense of foreign policy than the political elite and the business community. Pirmin Schwander, president of the group and parliamentarian for the rightwing Swiss People’s Party, says there is one lesson to…
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In an interview with swissinfo.ch Hans Fehr, senior party member and parliamentarian, accuses the government of being ambiguous about future ties between Bern and Brussels. Switzerland has concluded more than 120 bilateral accords with the 27-nation bloc, but the EU is now stepping up pressure to find different forms of cooperation. The cabinet is expected…
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How Switzerland’s political system of direct democracy works
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Together with neutrality and federalism, direct democracy is a part of the Swiss national identity and helps unite the various languages, religions and cultures in the country. This video gives you a short introduction to this unique political system. (Produced by swissinfo.ch on behalf of the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad)Please note: This video was made in 2011. The political landscape has changed and the numbers are no longer representative. For more recent figures go to the Democracy Barometer project page.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.