EVELINE RUTZ The result was a cliffhanger of the type rarely seen in Switzerland. On 28 September 2025, a whisker-thin ballot-box majority of 50.34 per cent voted in favour of digital IDs (eID). Many of the yes votes came from Swiss Abroad, 63.93 per cent of whom gave a clear endorsement to the federal act that will pave the way for e-ID (see also “Swiss Review” 5/25). The result would have been even closer without expatriates having their say: only 50.14 per cent would have voted yes. No one had expected such a nail-biter. There had been relative unanimity across the political spectrum, with both the Federal Council and a parliamentary majority approving the legislation. Only the SVP and EDU were categorically against it. Why the photo finish if the result was supposed to be a foregone conclusion? Opponents of the Switzerland to introduce e-ID At the second attempt, voters narrowly endorsed the introduction of digital IDs (e-ID). This has positive implications for e-voting. Popular initiatives launched by digital petition may also be possible in future. Following the tight result, Justice Minister Beat Jans hopes to win the trust of those who voted no. Photo: Keystone bill say it was due to lack of trust in politics and the state. Political experts cite general unease about the rise of digitalisation. According to Lukas Golder of the GfS research institute in Berne, the pressure to modernise explains why Switzerland’s cities voted yes to e-ID. People in rural areas were more sceptical. Good news for the “Fifth Switzerland” It is no surprise that Swiss Abroad were more in favour of e-ID than the rest of the electorate. With e-ID, they will be able to enjoy convenient online access to government services around the clock, regardless of where they are in the world. They will benefit increasingly from end-to-end digital services. E-voting, which may become completely paper-free one day, is one example. Swiss who live abroad would no longer have to rely on their identification code arriving by post on time. They may also be able to sign digital petitions for popular initiatives and referendums in future, thanks to the digital collection of signatures, known as “e-collecting”. The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) is delighted by what it calls an “important result for the ‘Fifth Switzerland’”. The referendum has seen one of its key wishes fulfilled. “Thanks to the yes vote, e-ID will now make it easier for people to communicate with Switzerland’s public authorities, irrespective of where they live,” says OSA Director Lukas Weber. The OSA hopes that simplified identification processes will also enable better access to private-sector services – particularly banking. Relief for the government Federal Councillor and Justice Minister Beat Jans is also relieved that e-ID has been approved, explaining that the importance of online interaction is growing, as is the need for security. “In the offline world, so to speak, we like to know who we are dealing with. Why should that be different in the online world?” Jans said that the Federal Council had worked intensively and consulted with other parties to prepare for the introduction of e-ID – and that this groundwork had paid off at the ballot box. He will continue to oversee these efforts but takes misgivings from the no camp seriously. “We will have to try to win over the sceptics.” Jans also vowed to keep digital IDs voluntary. This is precisely what opponents of e-ID want. Critics say that they will follow implementation of the scheme closely. “I will fight any further proposals to make digital mandatory,” said the SVP National Councillor Lukas ReiSwiss Review / December 2025 / No.5 24 Politics
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