E-voting rollout in Lucerne and Neuchâtel The e-voting rollout continues – now in two more cantons. The popular votes of September 2026 marked the first time that the canton of Lucerne’s expatriate voters were able to have their democratic say online. Swiss Abroad affiliated to the canton of Neuchâtel will be able to do likewise from November. Unlike in Lucerne, eligible voters in Neuchâtel will have to register once before using the system. Further information is available on the official Neuchâtel cantonal website: www.revue.link/ne. E-voting makes it easier for Swiss Abroad to exercise their political rights. Postal votes from the “Fifth Switzerland” often arrive at the ballot box too late. (MUL) Opposition to 30 km/h speed limit The Federal Council has hit the brakes on the 30 km/h speed limit. Cities and municipalities can no longer reduce the speed limit on “traffic-oriented roads” to 30 km/h of their own accord, but must first submit an expert assessment proving that any speed reduction will not push traffic into residential areas. This rule, which came into force on 1 October, reflects growing opposition to the 30 km/h speed limit, particularly from motorist groups (see also “Swiss Review” 1/2025). Cities and municipalities, on the other hand, have been clamouring for speed limits. (MUL) Switzerland joins NATO-run Ammunition Support Partnership Switzerland wants to be able to procure ammunition quicker, more easily and more cost-effectively – not least because the war in Ukraine has complicated the European security landscape. This is why it has joined the NATO-run Ammunition Support Partnership (ASP), which now enables 27 participating states, including Switzerland, to procure ammunition jointly – a process offering significant cost savings. The Federal Council believes joining the ASP is consistent with the principles of neutrality, arguing that the ASP is purely a procurement consortium and that Switzerland can withdraw from the partnership at any time. (MUL) Army wants fewer civilian deployments The Swiss Army provides many non-military services to society, such as erecting infrastructure for Swiss wrestling festivals, other sporting events, and major music festivals. According to information obtained by the “NZZ”, the army devoted a total of 26,000 service days to civilian deployments in 2025. Army commanders have now decided there is no basis for this work, nor is it viable anymore. In future, the army will refocus on enhancing its defensive capabilities. Although this aligns with the Federal Council’s new guidelines on the future of the armed forces, the change in direction remains controversial amid realities on the ground: army helicopters had to airlift emergency water supplies to drought-stricken farms in the Swiss Alps this summer. (MUL) Johan Manzambi OK, so Switzerland lost to Argentina on 12 July 2026 in the football World Cup. The outcome of that quarter-final might – might – have been different if forward Breel Embolo had not taken a dive. Prior to this defeat, a young Geneva player wowed football fans: Johan Manzambi, instantly nicknamed Manzambig despite not being particularly tall (5’ 11.5”). In the match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, we saw the 20-year-old athlete burst out of the gates like a rocket and score a thrilling goal after only two minutes of play, before scoring a second time in the first half-hour. The match paved Switzerland’s way to the round of 32. Manzambi was not in the starting lineup, but his ability to read the game and his audacity made a big impression. The young player with jumbo locs enthralled fans with his “coolness”, as he nonchalantly made some daring and unpredictable plays. Johan Manzambi’s family comes from Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo, but he grew up in Geneva. During his match against Bosnia, the young man walked up to a camera and dedicated his goals to his native city at the end of Lake Geneva. He also triggered a whirlwind of excitement among the young people in his childhood neighbourhood, Servette, which is also the name of the club where he began his career. “The combination of discipline and creativity makes him the perfect modern forward,” Giorgio Contini, former assistant to Swiss national coach Murat Yakin, wrote in “Le Temps”. Following an injury during training, Manzambig was unable to go any further in the tournament, and thus escaped the crushing defeat against Argentina. However, his efforts won him the admiration of football fans all over the world. STÉPHANE HERZOG Swiss Review / October 2026 / No. 4 18 Top pick News
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