Swiss voters are going to polls to vote on a record nine different policy initiatives
Published:
18 May 2003 y., Sunday
Voting to approve or challenge new legislation has a long tradition in Switzerland, where the people are allowed the last word on government policy.
But this time the sheer number of issues to be decided has raised questions over whether the system really is functioning as it should. The Swiss are deeply attached to their system of direct democracy - no-one would ever think of abandoning it. But Sunday's vote is likely to try the patience of many citizens.
The nine issues to be decided include two separate proposals to abolish nuclear power - the only difference is the timescale.
There is an extremely complicated law on changing the way health care is financed - many voters confess they do not understand this one at all.
Then there is a proposal to ban cars throughout the country for four days each year, and a demand for more apprenticeship places.
There is a government bill, already approved by parliament, to modernise and reduce the Swiss army.
Šaltinis:
BBC News
Copying, publishing, announcing any information from the News.lt portal without written permission of News.lt editorial office is prohibited.
The most popular articles
Marching through the streets of Ozd around 600 Hungarian Guards staged one of their biggest protests.
more »
If the tyres on your car are under inflated or of poor quality then you may be filling up with fuel more often than you should be.
more »
Pilgrims packed into St Peter's Square in Rome under sunny skies, to mark Palm Sunday. They had gathered to commemorate Jesus Christ's triumphant entry into Jerusalem a week before being crucified.
more »
Amid the backdrop of California's soaring unemployment and the collapse of its housing market, "gold fever" has taken hold of some newly-minted miners.
more »
A group of Roma organisations Thursday honoured the European Parliament for its support of the Roma and their rights during the current legislative term.
more »
Mourners gathered outside the home of Argentina's former president Raul Alfonsin soon after the news of his death emerged.
more »
1 in 3 children in the UK are considered poor - that's more than any other industrialised country.
more »
Planning will reduce the impact of climate change on health, energy supplies, transport systems, farming and tourism.
more »
Urban beekeepers Alison Benjamin and Brian McCallum are on a mission to save the British honey bee. A deadly virus is threatening to wipe out bees in the UK.
more »
The gradual retreat of the death penalty round the world and progress on women's and children's rights are among positive developments noted in the EP's draft annual report on human rights for 2008.
more »