Swiss Popular Vote Endorses Constitutional Enshrinement Of Initiative On Cycle Paths

GENEVA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 24th September, 2018) Swiss citizens supported in a referendum on Sunday the idea to amend the country's constitution and incorporate provisions on the national network of bicycle paths into the main law, rejecting at the same time two other initiatives put on the vote � the introduction of food sovereignty proposals and standards for animal-friendly and fair food production.

According to the official data released on the website of the Swiss government, the proposal on the bikeways network was supported by 73.6 percent of voters, who value bicycles for mobility and environmental friendliness.

Meanwhile, the initiatives on fair food production and food sovereignty were rejected by 61.3 percent and 68.4 percent of Swiss citizens respectively.

The opponents of the two initiatives argued that the introduction of new standards for food production would result in higher food prices, while the idea of food sovereignty endangered the progress in the field of agricultural policy modernization and harmed innovation climate.

According to the government's figures, the voter turnout totaled 37 percent, which is a relatively low rate for Switzerland.