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- The Swiss electorate will be able to decide on three proposals on March 7, 2021, as decided by the Federal Council on Wednesday.
- The so-called burqa initiative and the referendum on the E-ID digital passport hit the polls.
- The federal resolution on the Economic Partnership Agreement between the states of Efta and Indonesia is also voted on.
The popular initiative “Yes to the ban on the veil” was presented on September 15, 2017 by the so-called Egerking Committee. This had already taken the anti-minaret initiative, which was later accepted by the people.
The new initiative requires that no one can cover their face in public spaces or in public services. Exceptions would only be possible for reasons of safety, health, climate and local customs. Also, no one should force a person to cover their face.
In the summer session, after an emotional debate on women’s rights and dress codes, Parliament recommended the rejection of the initiative. For those opposed to the initiative, a national ban is the wrong approach. This would also contradict the liberal values of Switzerland.
The Federal Council also rejects the initiative. However, it had developed an indirect counterproposal that leaves the cantons with the authority to prohibit coverage. However, this stipulates that any person who must identify himself in public transport or with the authorities has a legal obligation to show his face. The councils accepted the counterproposal in the spring. It takes effect automatically if the initiative is rejected.
Controversial role of the private sector
The referendum against the federal law on electronic identification services (E-ID law) passed by parliament occurred at the beginning of the year. It was launched by the Digital Society and is supported by SP, Greens, Pirate Party, VPOD, Internet Society Switzerland, Association Public Beta, Grundrechte.ch, and senior citizen organizations.
Above all, the alliance criticizes the role of private companies that supposedly issue the E-ID. Under the law, federal authorities would only be responsible for identifying one person. Opponents complain that the issuance of the E-ID is a “sovereign task of the State and not a business model for private companies.”
The National Council and the Council of States agreed to a compromise for the E-ID law in September of last year. This aims to create the framework for the secure identification of persons in business transactions, on the Internet or in e-government applications.
Concern for ecological standards
In addition, the federal resolution on the economic partnership agreement between the Efta states (Switzerland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) and Indonesia will be voted on in early March next year.
Parliament approved the free trade agreement last December. On the contrary, the Uniterre farmers union and the organic winemaker Willy Cretegny had called the referendum. It has the support of some fifty organizations. In their eyes, Indonesia is unwilling to implement ecological and social standards to prevent the destruction of species-rich primeval forests.
