Though it is set to be launched in 2026, the fate of Switzerland’s controversial electronic identity system remains a limbo. What is the delay?
The Swiss will have to cast their ballots once more on the introduction of electronic identity cards.
The referendum committee has collected more than 60,000 signatures against the project — more than the 50,000 required for a national vote.
As a reminder, over 64 percent of voters had rejected an initial e-ID proposal (known as the Federal Act on Electronic Identification Services —LSIE) at the ballot box in March 2021, citing concerns over data protection and violation of personal freedom.
There was also concern that the system would be provided mainly by private companies.
The Federal Council then countered with a new version of the proposal, touting its more secure concept, to be launched in 2026.
Why is there still opposition?
The populist groups that have spearheaded the referendum, reiterated their opposition at a press conference on Monday, stressing that the introduction of electronic identity posed a serious threat to citizens’ freedoms.
“It provides the basis for extensive surveillance and control, and opens the door to restricting our fundamental rights,” they claim.
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What is the next step in this long-winded controversy?
As is the case with all citizen-driven initiatives, the Federal Chancellery will verify that all signatures collected by the organisers and legitimate — that is all those who signed the petition are Swiss citizens over 18-years-of age, and that provided addresses are valid.
When that is done, the date for the vote will be set.
It is hard to know at this point what will happen if the issue is rejected at the polls once again — that is, whether the government will attempt to resurrect it or let it die.
READ ALSO: What you need to know about Switzerland’s future ‘electronic-ID
