Six unusual referendums that have taken place around the world

With another three or four referendums announced for May , it can feel like we’re being bombarded. But at least they centre on important decisions. Robert Hume looks at six of the more offbeat that have taken place internationally

One decision that the country may have to vote on this May is a proposal to establish a unified patent court — a court dealing with patent and intellectual property law which all member states of the European Union can use.

This is one of four referendums likely to take place on this as of yet undecided day in May: the controversial same-sex marriage referendum, the reduction of the voting age to 16, the dropping of the age limit for presidential candidates and this patents court.