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Swiss to join European passport-free zone

Referendums in Switzerland - Polls closed
Referendums in Switzerland - Polls closed

Switzerland has backed joining a European passport-free zone and giving more rights to same-sex couples in two separate referendums.

Official results show 58% backed the same-sex move and 54.6% supported joining the Schengen group of European nations.

The vote will also allow the Swiss police to share information with EU states on crime.

The same-sex vote gives gay couples the same inheritance and tax rights as married heterosexual couples.

It was the first time a country had held a nationwide referendum on this issue.