The country votes this Sunday on marriage for all

The supporters of the homosexual union are smiling. If we are to believe opinion polls, Switzerland is on the way to legalizing marriage for all on Sunday. By rejecting, in a referendum, the initiative taken by opponents of a project launched by the federal government, the Alpine country should thus align itself with the vast majority of Western European countries.

“Do not miss the opportunity to participate in this historic step towards equality” proclaimed supporters of yes to union between same-sex partners on Saturday, while the pride marches in recent weeks have also galvanized troops. The non camp has resumed its colors as the date of the vote approaches but remains very much in the minority.

The issue of adoption

The last survey conducted by the gfs.bern institute between September 1 and 9 gave 55% yes and 27% no. His previous opinion poll, between Aug. 2 and Aug. 16, showed a larger spread at 55-20. The poll highlighted that certain religious groups and members of the right-wing popular party the Union Démocratique du Center (UDC) – Switzerland’s largest party – were the main opponents, but within these groups the yes-no supporters themselves. not lacking.

Switzerland decriminalized homosexuality in 1942, but various municipal or cantonal police forces had – in some cases until the beginning of the 1990s – registers listing homosexuals. Homosexual couples can also already enter into a civil pact, but the new text provides that same-sex couples can adopt a child jointly. Female couples will also be able to resort to sperm donation, one of the most controversial points.

Shocking posters

Opponents have focused their campaign, marked by shock posters, on this last point, deploring the commodification of the child and judging that “marriage for all kills the father”. On one of their posters, you can see a crying baby, with an ear tag usually reserved for cattle, with this question: “Babies made to order?” “. On another, a huge zombie head, supposed to represent a deceased father, stares at passers-by. A primary school in Valais also decided to cover it because it frightened children.

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