As Greece prepares to vote on austerity, 9 other interesting recent referenda

Greek citizens go to the polls this Sunday to decide whether to accept a bailout deal offered by international creditors. The referendum, proposed by Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras, came as a shock to most of the Eurozone. Ahead of the vote, here are 9 other referenda that sought to tackle thorny issues in national or regional politics.

1. Driving on the right in Sweden (1955)
The people of Sweden were quite clear when they voted 82.9% to 15.5% against the idea of driving on the right. Despite the referendum, the Swedish government made the change in 1967.

2. Italy reconsiders divorce (1974)
Three years after Italians divorce became legal, strong public opposition led to a referendum in which 87% of the population voted. The result was 59.26% to 40.74% in favour of divorce.

3. Universal suffrage in Switzerland (1971)
Women’s suffrage was proposed in Switzerland at least as early as 1886 but it wasn’t until 1971 that women got the vote after a referendum found 60% of men in favour.

4. South Africa ends apartheid (1992)
Despite years of international pressure and sanctions, it was ultimately a referendum (white voters only) that confirmed the end of apartheid by a 67.3% to 31.27% margin.

5. Quebec’s independence votes (1980, 1995)
French-speaking Quebec twice voted against independence from Canada. In 1980 the No vote was 59.56% against 40.44%. In 1995, the margin almost disappeared with the No vote at 50.58% against 49.42% for Yes.

6. Switzerland says no to joining the EU (1997, 2001)
Despite being surrounded by European Union nations, the people of Switzerland have twice rejected the idea they should apply for EU membership — 74.1% voted No in 1997 and 76.85% in 2001.

7. Berlin votes to keep Tempelhof Airport open (2008)
In 2008, Berliners voted to keep their iconic, city-centre airport open by 60.2% to 39.8%. But turnout was too low to get a ‘yes’ from 25% of voters and Tempelhof was closed. Its replacement — the new Berlin Brandenburg International Airport — still hasn’t been finished.

8. Scotland votes for Independence (2014)
Would Scotland be better off as an independent nation rather than remain part of the United Kingdom? The people voted No by 55.3% to 44.7%. .

9. Same-sex marriage in Ireland (2015)
While many nations have passed legislation to legalize gay marriage, Ireland put the issue to the people, who voted Yes by 62.07% to 37.93%.

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Author: Donald Armbrecht writes for Agenda. 

Image: Ballot boxes at the count centre in Dublin as Ireland holds a referendum on gay marriage. REUTERS/Cathal McNaughton