Pigeons, dog mess, brothels – almost anything goes

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For a Swiss army with animals (1996) Failed - not enough signatures gathered (RDB) RDB

For a Switzerland without an army and a comprehensive peace policy 1989 - rejected with a 64.4% No vote (Keystone) Keystone

Protecting moorland - Rothenturm-Initiative 1987 - accepted with a 57.0 % Yes vote (Keystone) Keystone

Wolves, bears and lynx (Text: "Wolves, bears and lynx to have status as highly protected animals") 2012 - did not reach the voting stage (Keystone) Keystone

For a work-free Swiss National Day (1 August initiative) Passed in 1993 by 86.3 % (Keystone/Ennio Leanza) Keystone

Over-run with foreigners (Schwarzenbach-Initiative) Turned down in 1970 by a 54.0 % majority (RDB) RDB

For a ban on Absinthe 1908 - accepted with a 71.5 % Yes vote. In 2005 the ban was lifted. Keystone

Against the construction of Minarets Accepted in 2009 with a 57.5 % majority Keystone

For a reopening of brothels 1985 - failed to collect enough signatures swissinfo.ch

Removing dog mess in public places Failed to collect enough signatures in 1988 (Keystone/Martin Rütschi) Keystone

To introduce a 44 hour working week 1958 - dismissed by a majority of 65.0 % (Keystone) Keystone

Repeal daylight saving time 1984 - failed to gather enough signatures (RDB) RDB

Forbidding covered headgear ("Burka ban") Currently outstanding (Keystone/Martial Trezzini) Keystone

Banning atomic weapons Voted down in 1962 by 65.2 % (RDB) RDB

For 12 motor vehicle-free Sundays per year 1978 - rejected by 63.7 % of voters (Keystone) Keystone

Six week holiday for all Voted down in 2012 with a 66.5% rejection (Keystone) Keystone

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Yes, these are all actual subjects of people’s initiatives! This right, enshrined in the Swiss constitution since July 5, 1891, can certainly bring a touch of the arcane and even sensuality into politics. Its main function, however, has another aim: it enshrines the right of a minority to ask a question and get an authoritative answer from the majority.

Britain’s recent vote on leaving the European Union shows just how powerful this people’s right can prove to be. The Brexit popular initiative was not iniated from below, but from above by British Prime Minister David Cameron. The result is that the country, and Europe, is facing a shambles.

The Swiss popular initiative, which celebrates its 125th anniversary, is in principle open to any subject. But to classify direct democracy as an oddity would miss the point completely. Since 1891, it has been the driving force for developing the Swiss constitutional system – setting guidelines for government policy, parliament and sovereignty.

(Text: Renat Kuenzi)