Swiss Review 3/2021

Swiss Review / June 2021 / No.3 11 E-ID is off the agenda On 7 March, the electorate rejected plans by the Federal Council and parlia- ment to introduce an electronic identity (e-ID) scheme, with 64.4 per cent voting no. In particular, the prospect of the private sector getting involved in the scheme was unpalatable for many. Both opponents and supporters of the rejected initiative nowwant an exclusively government-driven solution as soon as possible. The Swiss Abroad also dismissed the proposal, albeit a little less emphatically, with 53.2 per cent voting against. E-voting could have become fully digital as a result of e-ID. It will now remain post-reliant for the foreseeable future, because PINs still have to be sent by paper mail. tators believe that the ban on full-face coverings cannot be compared with the controversy back then. Although sup- porters tried to exploit anti-Muslim feeling again, Switzer- land is not the only country to outlaw face veils. A yes vote was therefore on the cards, they say. The cantons of Ticino and St. Gallen already had burka bans in place. Furthermore, people attending demonstra- tions or sports events in 15 cantons are not permitted to cover their face. The cantons are responsible for use of pub- lic space, so it would be up to them to enforce the new na- tional ban. However, the cantons arewaiting for the federal government to take the leadwith a uniformsolution. Berne intends to make a proposal by the summer. Had the decision been left to the Swiss Abroad, Muslim women would still be able to wear full-face coverings in public. Some 51.1 per cent of expatriate voters rejected the initiative. Tourist destinations were also opposed, with 64 per cent voting against in the city of Lucerne for example. The overriding fear was that wealthy guests from the Gulf States would stay away in future. Tourists will not be allowed to wear full- face coverings in future – even to keep out the chill wind on the Jungfraujoch. Photo: Keystone Free trade with Indonesia The electorate approved the controversial free trade agreement with Indonesia on 7 March. It was a close-run thing, with 51.7 per cent in favour. The majority of voters from the “Fifth Switzerland” rejected the agreement, which will remove customs duty on imports and exports, including on those of sustaina- bly produced palm oil under certain conditions. Consequently, environmental and social standards have been formalised in a free trade agreement for the first time ever. The standards are likely to have a bearing on future trade agreements.