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The corona virus brings Switzerland to a standstill. Will direct democracy be affected?
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Urns are unlikely to be open. The voting envelopes would have to be submitted by post. This was largely the case even without the corona virus.
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Counting the ballot papers would only be possible with great precautionary measures – and certainly took longer.
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SP Group leader Roger Nordmann currently thinks a postponement is unnecessary: ”Even in the Second World War we carried out votes.”
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The Green Group leader Balthasar Glättli also tends to carry out: “Discussions could be carried out via video conference, and the audience could also be involved.”
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The Federal Council will soon decide whether the May 17 vote will be held or postponed. This said Federal Council spokesman André Simonazzi (52) on Monday. In mid-May, three documents were to be put to the ballot box: the hunting law, tax deductions for childcare and the SVP initiative “for moderate immigration”. This requires the termination of the free movement of people with the EU.
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BLICK knows: The Federal Council wants to discuss the postponement today or at the latest on Friday, as several sources confirm. It is open whether he will make a decision. But given the plight, the move is a serious option. Also under discussion is whether one should wait a week before making a decision so as not to send out the delicate signal that the corona crisis could last longer than expected. But the parties are pressing for a quick clarification.
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Voting also in the Second World War
SP Group leader Roger Nordmann (46) currently thinks a postponement is unnecessary. «Even in the Second World War, we held votes. We can vote by letter, so we have no problems with large crowds in front of polling stations such as in France. »
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The struggle for coordination on the street would have to be largely avoided, according to Nordmann. “But there are enough alternatives for a public debate.” He thinks of social as well as classic media. “The crisis shows that people are getting information.”
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Further uncertainty for the economy
He is also concerned with getting the SVP’s termination initiative off the table as quickly as possible. «The initiative does not solve problems, but is a real problem-solving machine. It creates uncertainty and hangs over the economy like a sword of Damocles. » This uncertainty must be ended quickly, especially in view of the Corona crisis.
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“I tend to vote on May 17th,” says the Green Group leader Balthasar Glättli (48). The vote could take place by post and nobody had to go to the poll. It would, however, take much longer to count the voting slips, because strict precautionary measures would have to be observed in the election offices. If the cantons cannot guarantee this, the vote would have to be postponed, according to Zurich.
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A voting fight is also possible according to Glättli. Podiums and a vote on the street would be missing. «But the media continue to work. Disputes could be conducted via video conferencing, and the audience could also be involved. »
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Whom does an implementation help?
If the vote were now or in two to three weeks, the Blocher party would probably benefit. A situation of fear and insecurity normally benefits the SVP. In addition, immigration critics can now emphasize that evil comes from abroad – and criticize that Switzerland should have closed the borders much earlier.
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But the ballot is only in two months. And that’s why the SVP should have a difficult time. Immigration will drop massively in the next few months. Very few companies in Switzerland will hire new workers from abroad in the current emergency.
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The number of asylum seekers will also continue to decline. According to Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter (56, FDP), refugees in neighboring countries have to apply for asylum. This means that asylum seekers no longer have the opportunity to come to Switzerland via the internal borders to make an application in this country. This will have an impact on the minds of the Swiss, even if the SVP bill has nothing to do with the asylum system.
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Cross-border commuters important in healthcare
The corona epidemic also shows that if the need arises, Switzerland can close the border. Independent control of immigration is therefore possible despite the free movement of people – if it is really necessary. The Swiss are also currently being shown how important cross-border commuters can be. Something in the Ticino healthcare system that would already be at a standstill without Italian nurses.
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To make matters worse for the SVP: Few Swiss people will want to impose further uncertainty on the economy with a yes to the dismissal initiative. Switzerland is much more dependent on good cooperation with the EU in the next few weeks. For example, if the protective masks should go out in this country.
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SVP without claim
The SVP is correspondingly cautious: “For us, it is not the voting date that is decisive, but the protection of the population,” said fraction leader Thomas Aeschi (41). The decision would have to be made by the health experts – and they would be supported, “regardless of whether the Federal Council holds on May 17 or postpones the vote until the next regular voting date”.
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But it is important that the Federal Council decides quickly. «The parties need to know whether they have to adjust their campaigns or if necessary suspend them. We need quick clarification. »
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