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Swiss voters voted in favor of same-sex marriage, which brought the Alpine nation into line with many other countries in Western Europe.
The official results of the referendum showed that the measure was adopted with 64.1% of voters in favor and won a majority in all 26 Swiss cantons or states.
The Swiss parliament and the federal Council in power had supported the measure of marriage for all.
The country has allowed same-sex civil partnerships since 2007.
Supporters said the measure would put same-sex partners on an equal footing with heterosexual couples by allowing them to adopt children together and making citizenship easier for same-sex couples.
It would also allow lesbian couples to use regulated sperm donation.
Opponents said replacing civil partnerships with full matrimonial rights would undermine families founded on a union between a man and a woman.
In a polling station in Geneva on Sunday, voter Anna Leimgruber said she had voted for the “no” camp because she believed “children would need a father and a mother”.
But Nicolas Dzierlatka, who voted “yes”, said what the children needed was love.
“I think what is important for children is that they are loved and respected – and I think there are children who are not respected or loved in so-called ‘straight’ couples,” he said. he declared.
The campaign was marred by allegations of unfair tactics, with opposing parties condemning the tear-up of posters, LGBT helplines inundated with complaints, hostile emails, cries of insults against activists and efforts to silence opposing views.
Switzerland, with a population of 8.5 million, is traditionally conservative and only granted the right to vote to all its women in 1990.
Most countries in Western Europe already recognize same-sex marriage, while most in Central and Eastern Europe do not allow two men or two women to marry.
Supporters said it could still be months before same-sex couples can get married, mainly due to administrative and legislative procedures.
Also on Sunday, voters rejected a proposal led by left-wing groups to increase taxes on investment and capital income such as dividends or income from rental properties in Switzerland to ensure better redistribution and taxation more equitable.
The results showed that 64.9% of people voted against the proposal in a country known for its vibrant financial sector and relatively low taxes, and as a haven for many of the world’s richest people. No canton voted in favor of the measure.
