Did Switzerland really vote on cow horns?
Yes. On 25 November 2018 Switzerland voted on the cow-horn initiative, which wanted to support farmers who let their cows keep their horns. It was rejected with 54.7 percent no.
Ep. 13 · Ding or Clonk? · 55 seconds. Watch
The real rule
Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.
It sounds absurd, but in 2018 all of Switzerland voted on whether to support farmers who let their cows keep their horns. It was rejected with 54.7 percent no. For a newcomer, it is the clearest example of Swiss direct democracy: collect enough signatures, and the whole country decides, even on horns.
Blüemli's verdict: Ding. They voted. 25 Nov 2018: the cow-horn initiative was rejected.
HORNKUH: literally: “horn cow”; really: a cow that keeps her horns Ueli's Word
Be like Ueli. Respect the result. And the horns.
Learn more: Why Switzerland works
The rule, explained
The federal popular initiative “For the dignity of farm animals”, known as the Hornkuh initiative, went to a national vote on 25 November 2018. Its idea: support farmers who let their cows and goats keep their horns. The result, according to swissvotes.ch and SRF: 54.7 percent no and 45.3 percent yes, with 5 cantons in favour and 18 against. It shows how direct democracy works: enough signatures, and the whole country votes, even on horns.
Sources: swissvotes.ch, vote 623; SRF, 25 November 2018
Questions people ask
What was the Swiss cow horn initiative?
A 2018 popular initiative to support farmers whose cows keep their horns. Rejected on 25 November 2018 with 54.7 percent no.
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