The vote on November 25 will determine whether Swiss legislation should prevail over international laws and agreements, in a vote that has echoes of Brexit. Switzerland’s electorate will vote on the ‘Self-determination initiative’, which could lead to constitutional reform. The popular vote could also lead to a form of “Swissexit” from current EU rules – two-and-a-half years after Britain voted to leave the EU.
Supporters backing a vote to regain more control from Swiss laws have adopted the slogan “Swiss law, not foreign judges”.
The government claimed “international treaties safeguard our interests”.
A government statement said: “The initiative seeks to alter the way in which Switzerland treats international agreements if there is any ‘conflict’ between those agreements and constitutional law.
“It aims to lay down in the Constitution what should happen when a popular initiative is incompatible in certain areas with an international agreement.
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“In such a situation, Switzerland should in future consistently seek to ensure that the Constitution takes precedence: it will not be able to apply the agreement unless it is approved by referendum.
“It will also have to amend the agreement by renegotiating it with the relevant countries.
“If that is not possible, it will have to withdraw from the agreement.”
Switzerland has access to the European common market through the free movement of people and can also enter into its own trade agreements.
It is estimated that more than 33 percent of current Swiss legislation comes from European law.
The Eurosceptic right-wing Swiss People’s Party (UDC) has previously fought referendums on expelling foreigners who break the law, providing legal support for asylum seekers, naturalisation and the abolition of Switzerland’s public broadcasting.
This month’s referendum will decide if Swiss legislation is placed above international law in a move that could see Switzerland leave the European Convention of Human Rights.
Among the measures that will be voted for on November 25 are whether to ban cutting the horns of cows and goats.
Additional reporting by Maria Ortega.