RESULTS: September 28th 2025, Popular Vote

YES 50.39%

You’re already an official Swiss resident in the real world of oxygen, mountains, chocolate and taxes? Well get ready to become (optionally) an official Swiss resident in the vast expanse of the digital world. 

50.39% of voters have backed the introduction of e-ID from summer 2026. Coming as a bit of a surprise for the pollsters, the vote was much closer than expected. 

Such a divided population was contrasted by a very large majority in favour of e-ID in parliament. Having a glaring divide in opinion between government and ‘the people’ is not unusual across the world, but Switzerland provides opportunities like this to bring that difference of opinion to everyone’s attention. 

It has its effects too, at least on the mindset and considerations of those working in government.

“The narrow outcome gives me something to think about. We must analyse it and consider how to respond to this scepticism and this mistrust.”

Min Li Marti - Social Democratic Party

It might feel like watching a dog try to walk on its hind legs, but there’s a politician sincerely considering the various opinions of the people. Now doesn’t that make for a change.

So this argument isn’t quite over yet. In fact, the referendum committee (the guys behind the referendum in the first place) has even lodged an appeal asking for the referendum to be annulled, due to supposed illegal interference from Swisscom…

Yes 57.73%

57.7 % of voters have backed the reform of home ownership taxes. Again, the pollsters have a bit of egg on their faces here, only this time the decision was much clearer than predicted.

With only 44% of voters owning their property, the landslide passing of a law which favours home-owners above renters might come as a surprise. Political scientist Lucas Golder attributes the result to the large group of tenants who are hoping to buy property in the future or inherit. 

Worryingly, vacancy rates in Switzerland have dropped for a 5th year in a row, now at a claustrophobic 1% (meaning 99% of properties are occupied - the highest in Europe). So the last few years haven’t been good for the renter in Switzerland, of which a majority of foreign residents are. There is a shortage of flats, and now with this latest law the distribution of economic power is further balanced in favour of the home-owner. 

Don’t expect this war as old as time to cool off anytime soon. In fact, you can expect the tenants association to strike back with a vengeance with their own upcoming initiative for fair rents.