The Hindu : International : Swiss vote to join E.U. zone

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Jun 06, 2005

International

International

Swiss vote to join E.U. zone

GENEVA: A narrow majority of Swiss voters on Sunday approved joining a European passport-free zone, abolishing checks on the country's border by 2007, while a larger majority were in favour of granting more rights to same-sex couples, according to final results of a two-issue national referendum. The vote on rights for same-sex couples was the first time the subject has been put to a public referendum in Europe. About 55 per cent of voters were in favour of joining the European Union's passport-free Schengen zone, indicating the Swiss favour closer integration with the E.U. — of which Switzerland is not a member. The result goes against the prevailing mood in the E.U., which is reeling from recent rejections by French and Dutch voters of a proposed constitution for the 25-nation bloc. About 58 per cent of voters were in favour of increased rights for same-sex couples, meaning that registered same-sex couples are treated the same as married couples for tax and pension purposes. — AP

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