Swiss voters reject marriage initiative, automatic deportations

March 02, 2016

By a slim 51%-49% margin, voters in Switzerland have rejected a ballot initiative that would have defined marriage as the union of a man and a woman and would also have ended tax penalties against married couples.

Citing the gap between the views of the Church and society on marriage and the family, the president of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference said in a statement that the bishops “regretted” but were not surprised by the result.

By a 59%-41% margin, Swiss voters also rejected a ballot initiative that would have led to the automatic deportation of foreigners convicted of any crime.

Describing the initiative as “unnecessary” and “unjust,” the justice and peace commission of the Swiss Bishops’ Conference welcomed the vote.

 

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Further information:

• Schweizer Bischofskonferenz bedauert die Ablehnung der Initiative (Swiss Bishops’ Conference)
• Justitia et Pax und migratio begrüssen die Ablehnung der Durchsetzungsinitiative! Initiative (Swiss Bishops’ Conference)
• Tax break for married couples rejected (Swissinfo.ch)
• Switzerland votes down right-wing plan on foreigner expulsions (DPA)
• Swiss Bishops’ Conference opposes ballot measure on deportation of immigrants (CWN, 2/2)