2005 Swiss referendums

[1] The first two were held on 5 June on Switzerland joining the Schengen Area and whether registered partnerships for same-sex couples should be introduced.

[2] The third was held on 25 September on a federal resolution on extending the agreement on free movement of people to new members of the European Union, and was also approved.

[3] The final two were held on 27 November on a popular initiative "for food from an agriculture free of genetic modification" and on a labour law related to the opening times of shops in public transport hubs.

[4] Polls consistently showed that the Swiss did not want to join the European Union, which was confirmed in a 2001 referendum where over 75% voted against membership.

[4] Opponents, including the Campaign for an Independent and Neutral Switzerland and the Swiss People's Party,[7] linked the agreements to fears over immigration.

[7] Meanwhile, an upcoming referendum in September on extending the free movement of labour to the 10 newest members of the European Union was seen as likely to be a harder test.

[8] The government's opinion was that Switzerland needed registered partnerships as the current situation gave "insufficient legal protection" for such same-sex relationships.

[13] The result of the referendum had most cantons in favour of the introduction of the registered partnerships with opposition concentrated mainly in the Roman Catholic central and southern areas of Switzerland.