(Swiss Info) Unlike their compatriots in Switzerland, the Swiss abroad rejected the “anti-burka” initiative and the free trade deal with Indonesia by a slim margin. The biggest difference in voting trend was on the electronic ID referendum, which the Swiss abroad wanted to see passed. Voter participation remained modest.
The people’s initiative banning face coverings, proposed by the conservative right Swiss People’s Party, was narrowly accepted in Switzerland on Sunday. The diaspora on the other hand rejected it by an equally slim majority (51.1%). This outcome differs so slightly from those voting within Switzerland that it is risky to draw conclusions.
The result came as a surprise as polling institute gfs.bern had forecasted that 58% of the expat vote would be in favour of the ban on face coverings despite decreasing support towards the end of the campaign.
