Weapons export ban rejected by voters
A proposal to ban weapons exports and other war materiel has been overwhelmingly rejected in a nationwide ballot on Sunday.
This content was published on November 29, 2009 - 16:50
Official results show 68.2 per cent of voters against the initiative and 31.5 per cent for. Turnout was above average, at 53 per cent.
The proposal was launched by a broad coalition of peace groups and centre-left political parties.
However, the government and a majority in parliament recommended a no vote, saying approval would cost thousands of jobs and jeopardize the country's defence capacity.
It is the third time since 1972 that a similar proposal has been rejected by voters.
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