1 A popular initiative may be withdrawn by its initiative committee. The declaration of withdrawal is binding provided it has been signed by an absolute majority of the members of the initiative committee who are still eligible to vote.
2 The withdrawal of a popular initiative is permitted up to the day on which the Federal Council fixes a date for a popular vote. The Federal Chancellery shall invite the initiative committee to give notice of its decision and shall specify a short period of time within which the committee must do so.
3 An initiative in the form of a general proposal may not be withdrawn after its approval by the Federal Assembly.