Press

The secret service monitored the organisation during the pandemic Freunde der Verfassung . Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter denied this in front of the SRF camera.

SRF "Arena", 21 May 2021: Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter says to Michael Bubendorf from the "Friends of the Constitution": "You are criticising the Federal Council, the coronavirus measures; that is absolutely legitimate. You are not a terrorist. In Switzerland, everyone can think and do what they want." The discussion is about the Terrorism Act (PMT), which Bubendorf and his organisation are fighting against. It merely gives the security authorities more power to take action against innocent citizens. Keller-Sutter appeases. Bubendorf and his fellow campaigners were "definitely not on the radar". Today, almost four and a half years later, we know: This statement was wrong.

https://weltwoche.ch/story/tricks-des-schweizer-spitzelstaats/

A secure solution or a first step on the road to a surveillance state? Opinions on the E-ID differ widely within the SVP. Both sides accuse each other of not sticking to the facts.

Tactics instead of conviction? Dettling waves it off
The Young SVP collected signatures for the e-ID referendum, but did not take the lead. The parent party is also only half-heartedly involved in the referendum campaign. There is no No campaign of its own, nor is the party participating in the campaign of the cross-party committee.

The opposing camp suspects that the SVP is opposing the bill more for tactical reasons than out of conviction. In order to win back voters who joined organisations such as Mass-voll or the Verein Freunde der Verfassung turned to.
https://www.watson.ch/schweiz/abstimmungen-2025/819262755-weshalb-befuerworter-der-e-id-der-svp-eiskaltes-kalkuel-vorwerfen

On 28 September, Appenzell Ausserrhoden will decide on the popular initiative "No coercion against children and young people". The so-called child protection initiative wants to allow interventions such as compulsory masks, tests or vaccinations in schools only with parental consent.
The initiative is supported by critics of the measures, including the association Freunde der Verfassungthe teachers' network, an alternative teachers' association, an SVP cantonal councillor and a former cantonal councillor. The collection of signatures was completed in December 2022 with just under 400 valid votes.
https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/abstimmung-ausserrhoden-appenzell-ausserrhoden-stimmt-ueber-kinderschutzinitiative-ab

In a fortnight' time, Switzerland will once again decide on the introduction of an e-ID. Digital politician Monica Amgwerd is at the forefront of the fight against it. She explains the reasons in an interview.

Various organisations - including the Young SVP, Massvoll and the Freunde der Verfassung - also collected signatures against the E-ID.

https://www.20min.ch/story/monica-amgwerd-freiwillig-steht-nicht-im-gesetz-e-id-gegnerin-kontert-jans-103413838

The "Friends of the Constitution" wanted to hold a public event in the military canteen. After initially agreeing, the operator recognised the political background of the event and subsequently declined the request. The association is not going to take this lying down.

The military canteen reaps shitstorm after cancellation of a political event. The operators of the military canteen in St.Gallen are no "friends of the constitution". They recently made this clear when they cancelled the booking of their event hall by the controversial political organisation. As a result, they have been raining bad reviews on Google since Saturday. "Only guests with the right political views are served here" - one star. Another review calls the approach "pathetic and cowardly". By Tuesday afternoon, around 20 negative Google reviews had accumulated about the incident. "They have apparently asked their members to do this," says Martin Kappenthuler, restaurant manager of the military canteen, on enquiry.

https://www.tagblatt.ch/ostschweiz/ressort-ostschweiz/stgaller-militaerkantine-shitstorm-nach-absage-eines-polit-anlasses-ld.4017022https://www.tagblatt.ch/ostschweiz/ressort-ostschweiz/stgaller-militaerkantine-shitstorm-nach-absage-eines-polit-anlasses-ld.4017022

Masks, tests and vaccinations in schools without parental consent? This is exactly what the "child protection initiative" in Appenzell Ausserrhoden wants to ban - and is thus causing a stir shortly before the vote.

Initiative by SVP and fundamental rights activists
The initiative is supported by citizens, partly organised by the Freunde der Verfassungsome as teachers - or active in the SVP. One of them is Reto Sonderegger from Herisau AR. In an interview with blue News, he says: "Our initiative tends to be hushed up."

The media would hardly report on it, and there was also a lack of political support. Only two cantonal parties - the SVP and SP - had even adopted slogans, both of which were in favour, with only one SVP regional section and the Young Party voting in favour. Neither the government nor parliament backed the proposal.

https://www.bluewin.ch/de/news/schweiz/fuer-diese-appenzeller-ist-die-pandemie-noch-nicht-vorbei-2885063.html

The military canteen in St.Gallen received numerous bad reviews after it hosted an event organised by the Friends of the constitution had cancelled. Now the club is speaking out.

"Only guests with the right political views are served here" is one of the twenty or so bad reviews, which have since been eclipsed by numerous five-star ratings. Martin Kappenthuler, restaurant manager of the military canteen, already commented on the issue on Tuesday evening, as reported by this newspaper. On Wednesday Roland Bühlmann, President of the "Friends of the Constitution", reported back to this newspaper.

I don't know the ratings. Neither the content nor the number. But I think cancel culture is an absolute no-go (Editor's note: cancel culture refers to the targeted ostracism or exclusion of a person, company or institution due to statements or behaviour that are perceived as unacceptable). or institution because of statements or behaviour that are perceived as unacceptable).

And as I said, everyone has the freedom to do what they want. But then you also have to live with the consequences and expect people to speak their minds.

I don't understand what the problem is when I, and how it was actually planned on 18 September, SVP National Councillor Lukas Reimann and someone from the other political side sit on stage and talk about current issues. topics. What values would we have violated?

The fireside chat is not an event where we want to impose our ideas on the world, but an event, where opposing opinions can also have their say. We also invite left-wing parties, although I sometimes I sometimes get a stomach ache when I listen to them.

https://www.tagblatt.ch/ostschweiz/ressort-ostschweiz/nach-shitstorm-auf-die-militaerkantine-jetzt-sprechen-die-verfassungsfreunde-ld.4018382

Today, Sunday, Switzerland will vote on the Federal Act on Electronic Proof of Identity and Other Electronic Evidence (E-ID Act). The bill creates a basis for the introduction of a digital identity card. It enjoys broad support in parliament. Several committees are opposing it with a referendum.

What the opponents say
The bill is being fought by the "E-ID-NEIN" committee. It is supported by the "Digital Integrity Switzerland" group founded by former members of the Pirate Party, the Young SVP, the EDU and the organisation Freunde der Verfassung.

Other organisations have also collected signatures against the E-ID Act, including Mass-voll and the Pirate Party. These organisations are running their own No campaigns.

Opponents argue that the law creates the basis for the commercial use of Swiss passport data by large tech groups and other companies. It is therefore a steep pass for the surveillance economy: companies could demand an e-ID card from their customers and use it to collect state-verified personal data.

The committee also sees damage to democracy - for example through the creation of profiles and targeted advertising. This is because the polarisation caused by algorithms on social media platforms distorts democratic discourse. There are already other technical solutions for dealing with authorities online. The committee also sees shortcomings in data protection. The law also lacks an effective guarantee that the e-ID will remain voluntary.

https://www.cash.ch/news/das-wichtigste-in-kurze-zur-einfuhrung-der-e-id-865632

The bill on electronic proof of identity was approved by the people by a wafer-thin margin. The cities tipped the scales. Justice Minister Beat Jans says: "We will take the obviously very strong concerns seriously."

In the early afternoon, when the shaky game was still going on, the Roland Bühlmann, E-ID opponent and President of the Friends of the ConstitutionThe government has already declared it a success, regardless of the outcome. Many citizens have doubts as to whether the e-ID is really as secure as the federal government claims. The risk of data and identity theft is real.

https://www.zofingertagblatt.ch/jans-ist-sieger-im-krimi-ohne-ansage-21266-stimmen-geben-den-ausschlag-fuer-die-e-id/

The critics of the measures are shipwrecked with their petition for a referendum. This triggers different reactions.

Voters in Ausserrhoden voted on Sunday on the popular initiative the popular initiative "No coercion against children and young people" decided. The popular initiative was clearly rejected. In favour of the 5694 citizens voted in favour of the initiative, 14,297 were against. The voter turnout was 53.8 per cent. The so-called child protection initiative dates back to the Corona era. It wanted interventions such as compulsory masks, tests or vaccinations vaccinations in schools only with parental consent. To this end, the Elementary Schools Act should have been amended. Similar proposals were also under discussion in other cantons, but were not successful anywhere. The initiative committee included critics of the measures, including the association "Friends of the Constitution"the teachers' network, an alternative teachers' association, as well as SVP cantonal councillor Peter Alder and the former SVP cantonal councillor Reto Sonderegger. The initiative was submitted with just under 400 valid votes. All parties from left to right rejected the proposal.

https://www.appenzellerzeitung.ch/ostschweiz/appenzellerland/kinderschutzinitiative-ausserrhoden-das-resultat-ld.4019724

The bill on electronic proof of identity was approved by the people by a very narrow margin. But there will be legal repercussions.

Opponents of the e-ID were able to mobilise surprisingly strongly, even without a broad political alliance behind them. The resistance was supported by various groups. These include the "Friends of the Constitution"Digital Integrity, the EDU, the Young SVP and Mass-Voll.

Fiechter has clear words: "The polls in the run-up were wrong and they are manipulating voters. Many want to be among the winners and vote accordingly." He therefore calls for a ban on polls "several months" before votes.

JSVP-Fiechter also blames Swisscom for the "Yes" vote in favour of the e-ID. Specifically, he criticises its CHF 30,000 donation to the Yes committee and the presence of its logo on flyers promoting the e-ID. The No committee has therefore already submitted a voting rights complaint. Ultimately, the Federal Supreme Court is likely to decide on the matter.

https://pomona.ch/story/645984/die-eidabstimmung-landet-wohl-beim-bundesgericht

• The "E-ID Act No" committee presented its arguments against the new bill to introduce electronic ID cards in Bern.
• This creates the basis for the commercial use of Swiss passport data by large tech companies.
• The law is therefore a steep pass for the surveillance economy, the committee wrote in a press release for a media conference.

Companies could ask their customers for an e-ID card and use it to collect government-verified personal data.



The committee is backed by the organisation Digital Integrity Switzerland, which was founded by former members of the Pirate Party, the EDU, the Junge SVP and the Freunde der Verfassung.

https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/digitale-identitaetskarte-e-id-gefaehrdet-laut-nein-komitee-privatsphaere-und-demokratie

The "E-ID Act NO" committee presented its arguments against the new bill to introduce electronic ID cards in Bern on Wednesday. This would create the basis for the commercial use of Swiss passport data by large tech companies.

The committee is supported by the "Digital Integrity Switzerland" group founded by former members of the Pirate Party, the Young SVP, the EDU and the organisation "Friends of the Constitution". Other organisations have also collected signatures against the E-ID Act, including Mass-voll and the Pirate Party. However, these organisations are running their own No campaigns.



Roland Bühlmann from the Friends of the Constitution focussed his argument somewhat differently to Amgwerd. As a liberal, he also sees the danger as emanating from the state. The e-ID is a project of the administration for the administration, which fails to meet the needs of the population.

"Even as a technician, it's sometimes frightening how much my phone knows about me. I leave it to you to imagine what would happen if we linked this to a digital ID," says Bühlmann. There is a threat of the end of anonymity on the Internet.

https://www.blick.ch/politik/abstimmung-im-september-gegner-der-e-id-warnen-vor-ueberwachung-id21114000.html

The E-ID was controversial four years ago, mainly because of one point: It was not the federal government, but private individuals who would have issued the electronic proof of identity. The state would only have had a supervisory role. The federal government argued that this would promote innovation and ensure that the e-ID remained customer-friendly. Opponents, however, were of the opinion that issuing and operating an electronic identity was a public task. This position prevailed.

"The Federal Council and Parliament have learnt the lessons from this," said Justice Minister Beat Jans at a media conference on Tuesday. A new law has been drafted, against which a committee has launched a referendum. This is backed by the organisation "Digital Integrity Switzerland", which was founded by former members of the Pirate Party, the EDU, the Young SVP and the Freunde der Verfassung. The organisation "Mass-Voll" has also collected signatures.

https://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/schweiz/abstimmung-zweiter-anlauf-fuer-die-e-id-die-wichtigsten-fragen-und-antworten-ld.2803996

On 28 September, Switzerland will vote on the Federal Act on Electronic Proof of Identity and Other Electronic Evidence (E-ID Act).

Committee sees shortcomings in data protection
They also expect the e-ID to provide easier access to government services and new opportunities, such as for electronic signature collections. There are also advantages in reducing bureaucracy, for Switzerland's competitiveness and for equal opportunities, particularly in peripheral regions.

The proponents also emphasise that the project enjoys broad support from politics, business, science and civil society. According to the Confederation, feedback from science, business and civil society organisations has been continuously incorporated into the development of the e-ID.

The bill is being fought by the "E-ID-NEIN" committee. It is supported by the "Digital Integrity Switzerland" group founded by former members of the Pirate Party, the Young SVP, the EDU and the organisation "Freunde der Verfassung".

https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/das-wichtigste-in-kurze-zum-e-id-gesetz-67029644

Voting is imminent: Will the E-ID work this time? This is what it's all about: With the E-ID, Swiss residents should be able to identify themselves digitally and securely - online, but also in everyday life, for example to prove their age when shopping in a shop or to apply for an official document. The E-ID is issued by the state. Use of the E-ID is voluntary. The identity data remains stored in a decentralised manner on the user's end device and is linked to the smartphone. The vote will take place on 28 September.

Why this is important: While all major parties and business associations are in favour of the e-ID, critics warn against the commercial use of passport data by tech companies. They could create behavioural profiles and trade with the data. The No committee is backed by Digital Integrity Switzerland, which was founded by former members of the Pirate Party, the EDU, the Junge SVP and the Freunde der Verfassung. The e-ID currently has a good chance with the people. 56 per cent are in favour of it according to a recent survey. In 2021, the e-ID still failed at the ballot box. At that time, private companies could also have offered the digital ID.

https://www.beobachter.ch/service/das-war-diese-woche-richtig-wichtig-852210?srsltid=AfmBOoqkF2DX1g6owgCSqoYazAlXOU9AzlDm6LWbtSLkkDt5Q5-NLhq5

https://www.blick.ch/politik/das-musst-du-zur-abstimmung-am-28-september-wissen-brauche-ich-keine-id-karte-mehr-id21146836.html

The resounding "no" to the first version of electronic proof of identity was one of the biggest victories for the left in recent years. Now the fronts are diametrically opposed.

E-ID critics were heard
Given the initial situation, the scepticism on the left is difficult to explain. With the exception of the Pirate Party and Digital Integrity Switzerland - a splinter party founded in spring 2025 consisting of former members of the Pirates - organised criticism of the e-ID today comes almost exclusively from the right-wing camp. In addition to the SVP and the EDU, organisations such as Mass-voll or Freunde der Verfassung to the opponents.
https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/e-id-wie-aus-den-ehemaligen-gegnern-befuerworter-wurden-824887461083

On 28 September 2025, Switzerland will vote on a new version of electronic proof of identity - this time entirely in the hands of the state.

Roland Bühlmann, Friends of the ConstitutionNils Fiechter, President of the Young SVP-BE, Monica Angwerd, Communications, Jonas Sulzer, Campaign Manager and Samuel Kullmann, Member of Parliament EDU-BE from the No Committee on the electronic identity card, E-ID, speak at a media conference.

Several committees have formed to oppose the e-ID Act and have launched an optional referendum. The opposition is led by the "E-ID Act - No" committee, the "Respect the will of the people - MASS-VOLL!" committee and the Pirate Party.

Concerns about data protection
Opponents criticise the fact that, despite being issued by the state, sufficient data protection is not guaranteed. Every use of the E-ID is stored by private companies, resulting in large amounts of sensitive data.

https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/contra-referendumskomitees-warnen-vor-uberwachung-67035076

It was only four years ago that the people said a resounding no to the E-ID Act. A new proposal will be put to the vote in September.

The Pirate Party, the EDU, Digital Integrity Switzerland, the Young SVP, Mass-voll, the Freunde der VerfassungAufrecht Schweiz and Verfassungsbündnis Schweiz have all collected signatures for the referendum against the e-ID bill.

https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/e-id-was-sie-zur-abstimmung-wissen-muessen-364123942868

A broad parliamentary alliance confirmed its support for the new law on electronic identity in Bern on Thursday. The vote will take place on 28 September.

Among those opposed to the bill were the E-ID Law No Committee, the Freunde der VerfassungMass-Voll and the Pirate Party successfully launched a referendum.

https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/breite-parlamentarische-allianz-fur-das-e-id-gesetz-67006690

• The people have the final say on the law on electronic identity cards.
• The Federal Chancellery confirmed on Wednesday that the referendum against the E-ID Act has been held.
• Of the 55,683 signatures submitted, 55,344 are valid. A referendum requires 50,000 signatures.

The Federal Chancellery sent its confirmation of the official realisation to the E-ID Act No committee, the Freunde der VerfassungMass-Voll and the Pirate Party, as detailed in a press release. The federal parliament passed the law in December 2024.

https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/politik-referendum-gegen-e-id-zustande-gekommen

The Federal Council has decided what will be put to the vote on 28 September. The e-ID and a property tax bill will be put to the people.

A referendum has been organised against the e-ID Act approved by Parliament at the end of 2024. A committee and the movements Freunde der Verfassung and Mass-Voll as well as the Pirate Party brought it about.

https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/schweizer-stimmvolk-stimmt-im-september-uber-zwei-vorlagen-ab-66993841  

PKZ heir Philippe Burger financed the Pirate Party for years - until it broke up. Now he no longer lets his colleagues into the party office.



It's not just the Pirate Party that is seething. Mass-voll, the movement critical of measures founded during Covid that is also collecting signatures in favour of the referendum, is also having problems. According to Mass-voll founder Nicolas Rimoldi, the last tranche of signatures - several thousand - disappeared from the post box at Sihlpost when he went to collect them on Saturday. Rimoldi then called the police. They confirmed that a report had been received and that they were investigating. It remains to be seen whether the signatures are still on their way, whether they fell off a lorry or were actually stolen - as Rimoldi suspects.

Despite everything, the referendum could still go ahead. Mass-voll has collected around 17,000 signatures - excluding the currently untraceable signatures - which Freunde der Verfassung are at 23,000 and the Pirate Party at over 16,000 - always according to their own figures. In total, the three groups have 56,000 signatures.

https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/piratenpartei-philippe-burger-laesst-kollegen-nicht-mehr-ins-partei-buero-930187598973

The Freunde der Verfassung have collected enough signatures for a referendum against the E-ID law on the introduction of electronic ID cards. This was announced by the movement on Saturday evening.



"In view of the total number of signatures collected so far, which clearly exceeds the 50,000 mark, the chances of the referendum being successful are good - provided that the number of invalid or duplicate signatures remains within the usual range," the press release stated.

The collection period for the required 50,000 signatures expires on 19 April. The first attempt to introduce the e-ID failed at the ballot box in March 2021. The bill wanted to leave the issuing of electronic ID cards to private individuals. Data protection concerns tipped the scales in favour of the No vote.

https://www.blick.ch/ausland/chancen-stehen-gut-freunde-der-verfassung-sammeln-genuegend-unterschriften-fuer-e-id-referendum-id20754754.html  

The Freunde der Verfassung have collected enough signatures for a referendum against the e-ID. An initial vote on this resulted in a no vote.

The Freunde der Verfassung have collected enough signatures for a referendum against the E-ID law on the introduction of electronic ID cards. This was announced by the movement on Saturday evening.

"In view of the total number of signatures collected so far, which clearly exceeds the 50,000 mark, the chances of the referendum being successful are good - provided that the number of invalid or duplicate signatures remains within the usual range," the press release stated.

The federal government is now to introduce the e-ID
The collection period for the required 50,000 signatures expires on 19 April. The first attempt to introduce the e-ID failed at the ballot box in March 2021. The bill wanted to leave the issuing of electronic ID cards to private individuals. Data protection concerns tipped the scales in favour of the No vote.

On 20 December 2024, Parliament approved the E-ID Act, which was reissued following a popular rejection, and stipulated that the Confederation would introduce the state-recognised electronic proof of identity. Subject to the referendum, this should be the case in the third quarter of 2026 at the earliest.

https://www.nau.ch/news/schweiz/freunde-der-verfassung-genugend-unterschriften-fur-e-id-referendum-66955399

Only shortly before the deadline does the opponents of the new e-ID come together and present their arguments. Disputes in the "no" camp are making it difficult to collect signatures.



The Pirate Party has launched a referendum, while the Young SVP and the EDU are also collecting signatures. The organisations Massvoll and Massvoll, which are well-known from the pandemic, are also involved. Freunde der Verfassung involved.

Opponents warn against misuse of personal data
The two Pirates Monica Amgwerd and Jonas Sulzer publicly distanced themselves from their party's executive committee and, as representatives of the referendum committee, informed the public together with JSVP President Nils Fiechter, EDU politician Samuel Kullmann and Roland Bühlmann from Friends of the Constitution.

The representatives of EDU and the Friends of the constitution drew parallels between the Covid certificate and the e-ID. Switzerland should not be affected by "totalitarian measures" again.

At the press conference, Amgwerd went on to explain that all signatures were collected on the premises of the Friends of the constitution are stored. Currently, all the committees together have collected over 60,000 signatures. The Freunde der Verfassung would have collected 23,000 signatures, the committee including the SVP and EDU around 20,000 and a third committee - i.e. Massvoll - around 17,000.

https://www.20min.ch/story/unterschriften-krimi-streit-ueberschattet-den-referendums-schlussspurt-der-e-id-gegner-103319929

According to the initiative committee, the popular initiative "For the effective protection of constitutional rights", the sovereignty initiative, did not materialise. The initiative sought to prioritise the Federal Constitution over international law.



The citizens' movements were behind the request Freunde der VerfassungMass-Voll and Aufrecht Schweiz together with the Pirate Party and SVP parliamentarians.

The Freunde der Verfassung and Mass-Voll announced on X that they would continue to intensify their "fight for the sovereignty of the people and the state". The movements also announced that they would defend themselves against the externalisation of international agreements.

https://www.blick.ch/politik/zu-wenig-unterschriften-initiative-zur-staerkung-der-schweizer-rechte-kommt-nicht-zustande-id20774938.html

On Thursday afternoon, Massvoll President Nicolas Rimoldi physically assaulted EDU Councillor Samuel Kullmann in Bern. The latter has announced legal action.

The Pirate Party has launched a referendum, while the Young SVP and the EDU are also collecting signatures. The organisations Massvoll and Massvoll, which are well-known from the pandemic, are also involved. Freunde der Verfassung involved. However, the established parties, Amgwerd and Sulzer want nothing to do with Massvoll.

On Thursday, representatives of the committee handed over "over 50,000 certified" signatures to the Federal Chancellery in Bern, as head of communications Monica Amgwerd explained. In addition to the pirate, her fellow campaigner Jonas Sulzer, JSVP President Nils Fiechter, EDU member Samuel Kullmann and Roland Bühlmann from the Friends of the constitution.

https://www.20min.ch/story/bern-edu-grossrat-zeigt-nicolas-rimoldi-nach-taetlichem-angriff-an-103328573

The Mass-Voll movement submitted a further 15,000 signatures against the state E-ID on Tuesday - there are now around 55,000 signatures in total.

Various groups, some of them opposing each other, have collected signatures against the bill over the past three months. In addition to Mass-Voll, these include the Pirate Party, the Freunde der Verfassung Aufrecht Schweiz, the Young SVP Switzerland and the EDU.

https://www.nau.ch/news/schweiz/mass-voll-reicht-weitere-15000-unterschriften-gegen-e-id-ein-66971943

The facts: The Pirate Party is fighting against the e-ID law and collecting signatures for a referendum. However, an internal power struggle within the executive board is hampering the campaign. A press conference planned for Monday was cancelled due to the dispute.

Why this is important: The electronic ID could have far-reaching consequences for data protection and personal freedom. The internal conflict jeopardises the success of the referendum: Around 10,000 signatures have been collected so far. 50,000 signatures must be collected by 21 April.



Initially, Massvoll led the way with its own committee. In addition, there is our committee as well as another one set up by Aufrecht and the Friends of the Constitution is managed.

https://www.nebelspalter.ch/themen/2025/03/referendum-zu-e-id-gefaehrdet-jetzt-braucht-es-ein-kleines-wunder

The deadline for collecting signatures for the e-ID referendum is three weeks away. According to Nicolas Rimoldi, the committees involved have only collected around half of the signatures so far. What now?

Getting the 25,000 signatures together in the next few days is almost an impossibility. The Mass Voll President sees it differently: "I think it will be very tight, but if we give it our all, it's still possible." The mood in the committees involved is optimistic. "We will mobilise everything we have," says Rimoldi.



In addition to the Mass-Full movement, the Friends of the Constitution and the Pirate Party in the referendum boat. The former were also among the opponents of the measures and played a key role in the referendum against the Covid-19 Act.

https://www.blick.ch/politik/mass-voll-kaempft-gegen-e-id-rimoldis-referendum-droht-zu-scheitern-id20678088.html

Will Switzerland receive an electronic identity card, the e-ID? The referendum deadline is still running. But opponents are struggling to gather the necessary signatures.

One of the referendum leaders is the Pirate Party. According to the referendum website, it has collected around 10,000 signatures so far. In fact, there are probably a few more, with reports of around 12,000.

The Young SVP joined late. On the other hand, the Mass-Voll movement is also collecting signatures. According to its founder Nicolas Rimoldi, Mass-Voll has added around 7500 signatures, which is also the status just over two weeks before the end of the collection phase.

Two other groups that emerged during the coronavirus period are also collecting, namely Aufrecht Schweiz and Friends of the Constitution.

https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/bundespolitik/e-id-f%C3%BCr-ein-referendum-wird-es-knapp/89011251

The Binder case, illegal demonstrations, a sacked canteen teacher, dismissed mask lawsuits, a convicted GP and unsuccessful Mass-Volle.

Switzerland has voted three times on the Covid Act, three times with a yes vote. This was also the case in Aargau, where the vote was always clear: 58% in favour on 13 June 2021, then 62.6% in favour on 28 November 2021 and finally 59.1% in favour on 18 June 2023. The authorities' coronavirus policy was therefore also confirmed by a clear majority here. Attempts by coronavirus sceptics such as Roland Bühlmann (Friends of the ConstitutionMass-Voll), critics of measures such as Theres Schöni (Solution-Oriented People's Movement) and other candidates to win seats in the Grand Council or the National Council.

https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/aargau/kanton-aargau/fuenf-jahre-nach-dem-lockdown-corona-widerstand-im-aargau-fall-binder-illegale-demos-entlassener-kantilehrer-abgewiesene-maskenklagen-verurteilter-hausarzt-und-erfolglose-mass-volle-ld.2751557  

Successful implementation despite headwinds
On 20 December 2024, Parliament approved the new E-ID Act following a referendum and stipulated that the federal government would introduce the state-recognised electronic proof of identity. Subject to the referendum, this should be the case in the third quarter of 2026 at the earliest.

The movements against the E-ID Act have been organised by Mass-Voll, Friends of the Constitution and Aufrecht Schweiz as well as the Pirate Party have launched a referendum. The deadline for collecting the required 50,000 signatures is 19 April.

The first attempt to introduce the e-ID failed at the ballot box in March 2021. The proposal wanted to leave the issuing of electronic ID cards to private individuals. Data protection concerns tipped the scales in favour of the No vote.

https://www.nau.ch/news/schweiz/bevolkerung-kann-e-id-und-andere-e-nachweise-gratis-testen-66945921

In mid-January, the Federal Council decided that no votes would be held at federal level on 18 May. The voting year 2025 should remain quiet.


It remains to be seen whether a second vote on the e-ID will take place this year. The Pirate Party and the Freunde der VerfassungMass-Voll and Aufrecht Schweiz are currently collecting signatures for a referendum.

https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/abstimmungskalender-es-zeichnet-sich-ein-ruhiges-abstimmungsjahr-ab

The Pirate Party is committed to the fight against electronic identity. But now others are stealing the show. Instead of cooperating with those who are sceptical about the measures, there is a row.

On Thursday, with "Aufrecht Schweiz" and the Friends of the Constitution two more of their organisations have announced that they are launching a referendum against the e-ID. Together, they want to fight against "new possibilities for electronic surveillance". The pirates want to present their committee on Friday.

https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/streit-um-e-id-massvoll-kapert-referendum-der-piratenpartei-401613351772  

There will be no votes at federal level on 18 May. This was decided by the Federal Council on Wednesday. This means that 2025 will be a quiet year for voting.

It remains to be seen whether a second vote on the e-ID will take place this year. The Pirate Party and the Freunde der VerfassungMass-Voll and Aufrecht Schweiz are currently collecting signatures for a referendum.



https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/eidgen%C3%B6ssischer-abstimmungstermin-am-18.-mai-verstreicht-ungenutzt/88726821  

"See nothing, hear nothing, say nothing - unfortunately the people in charge all cancelled." A poster with this text greeted the audience on Tuesday evening at the fireside chat organised by the Freunde der Verfassung had invited. Their president, Roland Bühlmann, moderated the prominent panel, which consisted of SVP Councillor of States Pirmin Schwander, Einsiedeln SP Cantonal Councillor Antoine Chaix and the president of the Action Alliance of the Original Cantons, Josef Ender.



In his introduction, Bühlmann pointed out that he had received mass cancellations in response to his enquiries to potential participants in the talks. Unfortunately, he said, more and more people were no longer willing to talk to each other about certain controversial topics. The idea of the fireside chat was to counteract this tendency.

https://www.bote.ch/nachrichten/schwyz/angeregtes-kamingespraech-zu-brennenden-themen-art-1584066  

The Friends of the Constitution a few days to collect the necessary 100,000 signatures for their Reappraisal initiative to collect. Their goal: an independent investigation into the background to the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the effectiveness of the Covid tests and vaccinations, the Federal Council's use of emergency legislation during the pandemic is also to be critically analysed.



https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/schweiz/corona-axpo-ubscs-umstrittenes-notrecht-so-ruestet-sich-der-bundesrat-fuer-die-zukunft-experten-lassen-kein-gutes-haar-an-bericht-ld.2650105

By Wednesday, 52,312 signatures had been collected, according to the Freunde der Verfassung announced on Wednesday. A total of 100,000 signatures would have been required. Instead of the Reappraisal initiative the initiators' concern - action against state corona measures - will be addressed to the Federal Council as a petition, the press release stated.



https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/volksinitiative-gegen-corona-massnahmen-gescheitert-66815733

The so-called Freunde der Verfassung submitted the signatures of their petition on Wednesday to deal with the coronavirus period. This was after the initiative by opponents of the government's coronavirus measures failed to materialise.
The petition is aimed at "independently, fairly and transparently" analysing the coronavirus period, according to a statement from the association, which was founded in Solothurn in July 2020. It is also about learning something in order to be better prepared for future events.



https://www.watson.ch/schweiz/coronavirus/207000255-corona-massnahmen-gegner-reichen-aufarbeitungs-petition-ein  

-

With a long initiative text, critics of the measures want Switzerland to investigate the pandemic. It is now clear that the initiative is lacking signatures. The Freunde der Verfassung support the initiative committee in collecting and organising signatures. President Roland Bühlmann speaks of around 50,000 signatures that are still missing after 15 months. They must be collected by the end of August, otherwise the initiative will not be realised.


https://www.blick.ch/politik/langer-initiativtext-kaum-unterschriften-skeptiker-initiative-vor-dem-aus-id19870136.html

Symposia, initiatives, demonstrations: the opponents of the measures want to give their concerns new impetus. They are only moderately successful. But Ueli Maurer is trying to build a bridge to his SVP's programme.   https://www.woz.ch/2418/coronavorstoesse/auf-sparflamme/!40PM1S8N5ZJ5

Several hundred people demonstrated against the WHO pandemic agreement in Bern on Saturday. The demonstration was organised by the Mass-Voll movement led by Nicolas Rimoldi (29).   https://www.blick.ch/politik/kritik-an-pandemie-vertrag-hunderte-protestieren-in-bern-gegen-who-abkommen-id19684073.html#   The co-organisers included the Friends of the Constitution and the Freedom Fighters. The latter made a loud appearance on the Bundesplatz, as a correspondent from the Keystone-SDA news agency reported.

The people strengthen the Grand Council

https://www.frutiglaender.ch/das-volk-staerkt-den-grossen-rat

Thanks to the initiative on the 13th AHV pension, the cantonal proposal also received a high turnout. However, the verdict was much clearer: 75 per cent said yes to the introduction of urgent legislation. The Frutigland also voted in favour with large majorities.

The canton of Bern should be able to act immediately in crises

https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/abstimmungen-3-maerz-2024/abstimmung-kanton-bern-der-kanton-bern-soll-in-krisen-sofort-handeln-koennen

What is at stake? The Bernese cantonal parliament should be able to pass an urgent law in a crisis - without a referendum and without waiting to see whether a referendum will be held against it. This is already established at federal level and in other cantons. This requires a constitutional amendment in Bern.

Will Ueli Maurer become the last figurehead of the coronavirus sceptics?

https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/wird-ueli-maurer-zum-letzten-aushaengeschild-der-corona-skeptiker-die-massnahmenkritiker-kneifen-bei-kantonalen-wahlen-ld.1777581

Will Ueli Maurer become the last figurehead of the coronavirus sceptics? According to his own statements, Ueli Maurer naturally did not want to provoke. In September 2021, he described it as "pure coincidence" that he was wearing a Freedom Party T-shirt at an SVP event. The SVP Federal Councillor did not want to comment to CH Media at the time that critics of the measures were prevented from storming the Federal Palace with difficulty a few days later, shouting "Ueli, Ueli".

Ueli Maurer reiterates his criticism of the coronavirus policy.

https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/ueli-maurer-bekraeftigt-seine-kritik-an-der-corona-politik-wer-eine-kritische-frage-stellte-wurde-aussortiert-indem-man-ihn-als-verschwoerer-oder-als-rechtsextremer-brandmarkte-ld.1777334

Ueli Maurer reiterates his criticism of the coronavirus policy: "Anyone who asked a critical question was sorted out by being branded a 'conspirator' or a 'right-wing extremist'" https://img.nzz.ch/2022/09/30/c5328105-a647-4146-85a6-cc5323236a2b.jpeg?width=1360&height=907&fit=bounds&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=2965,1977,x1225,y1300

Critics of the measures warn that basic rights in the canton of Bern are being dismantled. The implementation of emergency legislation in Bern is met with rejection. Two critical organisations recommend approval.

https://www.nau.ch/politik/regional/massnahmenkritiker-warnen-grundrechte-im-kanton-bern-abzubauen-66702393

The introduction of urgent legislation in the canton of Bern is meeting with resistance. Two organisations critical of the measures are recommending a "no" to the bill, which will be put to the people on 3 March. According to the Friends of the Constitution and the Mass-Voll movement, the constitutional amendment is anti-democratic. Both organisations have become known as critics of the coronavirus measures.

Nature romantics and state critics: where have the corona sceptics gone?

https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/thema/coronaskeptiker

The opponents of the corona measures have failed politically. Many of them have turned their backs on the issue. But not all of them.

Critics were right almost everywhere

https://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/meinung/leserbriefe-zz/kritiker-hatten-fast-uberall-recht-ld.2582723

n view of the developments since 2020, I feel insulted by journalists. Since the beginning, I have been justifying my criticism of the corona policy, documented with sources, with political, legal and also scientific arguments, and I have not had to retract anything so far. On the contrary, almost all my criticisms have been confirmed. In the meantime, I would change the conclusion of the report: Anyone who still defends this corona policy today refuses to recognise facts, and there is no discussion worth having.

The canton of Bern should be able to act immediately in crises Lessons learnt from the coronavirus pandemic: the cantonal parliament of Bern wants to be able to pass laws as a matter of urgency.

https://www.srf.ch/news/schweiz/abstimmungen-3-maerz-2024/abstimmung-kanton-bern-der-kanton-bern-soll-in-krisen-sofort-handeln-koennen

What is at stake? The Bernese cantonal parliament should be able to pass an urgent law in a crisis - without a referendum and without waiting to see whether a referendum will be held against it. This is already established at federal level and in other cantons. This requires a constitutional amendment in Bern. What is the background? During the coronavirus pandemic, it became clear that the wheels of Bernese legislation grind slowly - too slowly when the world is in crisis. Dominique Bühler, Vice President of the cantonal parliament, gives a concrete example: "It was almost impossible to create a legal basis so that councillors could vote externally and remain capable of acting."

Ueli Maurer as an anti-vaccination campaigner and coronavirus sceptic: democracy has to endure this

https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/aargau/kanton-aargau/kommentar-ueli-maurer-und-seine-aussagen-als-impfgegner-und-coronaskeptiker-das-muss-die-demokratie-aushalten-ld.2569890 The former finance minister causes a stir with an interview on the pandemic and the Federal Council's crisis management. Ueli Maurer's statements are irritating, but no reason to disinvite him from a democracy conference - the commentary.

Have you blown up the "citizens' bloc", Mr Blocher? "Don't complain about style issues. All this snivelling!"

https://www.nzz.ch/schweiz/haben-sie-den-buergerblock-gesprengt-herr-blocher-klagen-sie-nicht-ueber-stilfragen-diese-wehleidigkeiten-ld.1767377

After the elections, the conservative parties criticise each other. Christoph Blocher, inventor of the modern SVP, attacks the FDP and the centre - as well as his own party: "The last elections degenerated in many cantons."

Nidwalden voters clearly reject child protection initiative

https://www.nidwaldnerzeitung.ch/zentralschweiz/nidwalden/abstimmung-nidwaldner-stimmvolk-verwirft-kinderschutzinitiative-deutlich-ld.2540162

Not a single municipality is in favour of the initiative. The cantonal government is pleased to note the result of the vote. The people of Nidwalden rejected the popular initiative to amend the cantonal education law - the so-called child protection initiative - on Sunday with 87 per cent of votes against (1388 yes, 9239 no). The voter turnout was 34.4 per cent.

Nidwalden voters clearly reject child protection initiative

https://www.bote.ch/nachrichten/zentralschweiz/nidwaldner-stimmvolk-verwirft-kinderschutzinitiative-deutlich-art-1513267

The people of Nidwalden rejected the popular initiative to amend the cantonal education law - the so-called child protection initiative - on Sunday with 87 per cent of votes against (1388 yes, 9239 no). The voter turnout was 34.4 per cent. The initiative aimed to strengthen self-determination and personal responsibility. It demanded that the consent of the pupils concerned or their parents be obtained for medical and health-related measures in schools. This included measures such as the obligation to wear masks during the pandemic. The initiative was supported by the "Action Alliance of the Original Cantons" and the "Friends of the Constitution", among others.

15.10.2023

https://www.journal21.ch/artikel/blockaden-statt-kooperation

Threats and ultimate demands characterise parts of the election campaign. Instead of seeking viable solutions for the future, the offended parties are standing in the way. Yet the country is facing so many challenges that it is dependent on constructive policies.

17.10.2023

https://www.20min.ch/story/basel-es-besteht-die-gefahr-dass-sich-redner-antisemitisch-aeussern-761267884541

"There is a danger that speakers will make anti-Semitic remarks" On Saturday, opponents of the coronavirus measures are calling for a relevant rally. Left-wing parties are clearly positioning themselves against it. An anti-fascist alliance has called for an unauthorised counter-demonstration and will only announce the route at short notice.

Citizens' movements launch initiative for a stronger constitution

https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/burgerbewegungen-lancieren-initiative-fur-starkere-verfassung-66630660

Three citizens' movements and the Pirate Party have joined forces to launch an initiative to strengthen Swiss sovereignty. The citizens' movements "Friends of the Constitution", "Mass-Voll" and "Aufrecht Schweiz" are launching a popular initiative together with the Pirate Party: the "Sovereignty Initiative" is intended to strengthen Switzerland's fundamental rights. According to the authors, the popular initiative aims to guarantee citizens consistent protection of their constitutional rights. It is also intended to defend Switzerland's sovereignty. For example, Switzerland would not be allowed to submit to foreign courts - with the exception of the International Court of Justice and the International Criminal Court.

Strengthening the constitution with an initiative

https://www.zentralplus.ch/news/mit-initiative-die-verfassung-staerken-2588333/

The citizens' movements "Friends of the Constitution", "Mass-Voll" and "Aufrecht Schweiz" want to strengthen Switzerland's fundamental right, the constitution, with an initiative. They are launching this together with the Pirate Party. The initiative is entitled "In favour of the effective protection of constitutional rights - Sovereignty Initiative" and has been examined by the Federal Chancellery. The initiative committee now has 18 months to collect the necessary 100,000 signatures. The aim of the initiative is to guarantee citizens consistent protection of their constitutional rights and to defend Switzerland's sovereignty.

Eymann fears demo riots - Left outraged by letter The parties in Basel should help to prevent rioting around two demonstrations next Saturday. This is neither within their power nor their task, counter the Greens and SP.

https://verfassungsfreunde.ch/wp-admin/post.php?post=19697&action=edit

A "Friends of the Constitution" demonstration is to take place in Basel, Weil am Rhein and Huningue on Saturday. Basel Nazifrei has called for a counter-demonstration: "Prevent the right-wing march together", it says in an appeal.

Should Stephanie Eymann revoke the Mass Voll demo's licence?

https://bajour.ch/a/clnszcsn715354102sg1urktybqf/soll-stephanie-eymann-der-mass-voll-demo-die-bewiligung-entziehen

n 21 October 2023, anti-vaccination and far-right movements are mobilising in Basel. Groups such as the "Freiheitstrychler", "Freunde der Verfassung" and Nicolas Rimoldi's "Mass-Voll" are planning to demonstrate along a tri-national route. According to BaselJetzt, 1000 participants are expected at the authorised demonstration for "Peace, Freedom and Sovereignty". The counter-demonstration planned by Basel Nazifrei has not been authorised. Yesterday, several parties and experts expressed their concerns about the tri-national demo to Bajour. Among other things, they fear anti-Semitic remarks - the security situation has changed with the latest outbreak of war in the Middle East. Last week, two demonstrations were cancelled for security reasons.

Eymann letter causes irritation

https://bajour.ch/a/clnsy8dpg14841192sg1y8m5nkxp/eymann-brief-sieht-die-parteien-bei-demos-in-der-verantwortung

I ask you, where necessary, to recall the democratic rules of the game and the importance of the free exchange of opinions - also to spare the population and the cantonal police, who are already under great pressure, from major riots." Security Director Stephanie Eymann (LDP) sent a letter with this closing sentence to Basel's political parties last week. The letter is now causing great irritation - especially among the left-wing parties, who are talking about a shift in responsibility. "We were irritated to read the letter that reached us by email. We are disconcerted by this attempted delegation of responsibility," writes SP President Lisa Mathys to Stephanie Eymann, for example. But one thing at a time.

Citizens' movements launch initiative for a stronger constitution

https://www.bluewin.ch/de/news/international/buergerbewegungen-lancieren-initiative-fuer-staerkere-verfassung-1929695.html

The citizens' movements Friends of the Constitution, Mass-Voll and Aufrecht Schweiz are launching a popular initiative together with the Pirate Party in favour of a stronger Swiss constitutional right. The initiative committee also includes parliamentarians from the SVP parliamentary group.

Opponents of the measures want to take to the streets despite the ban on demonstrations

https://www.20min.ch/story/basel-massnahmengegner-wollen-trotz-demo-verbot-auf-die-strasse-970102115173

Two demonstrations with the potential to escalate took place on Saturday. Now the Basel police are reacting. They have issued a general order banning all demonstrations this coming weekend. The reason for this is the security situation in an international context.

Basel police ban all demonstrations

https://www.onlinereports.ch/News.117+M541b28e1010.0.html

The authorised demonstration by the "Friends of the Constitution" and the unauthorised counter-event by Basel Nazifrei have been the subject of controversy in Basel-Stadt for days. In a letter to the political parties, Basel's Director of Security Stephanie Eymann called on them to "where necessary, recall the democratic rules of the game and the importance of the free exchange of opinions" and thus "spare the population and the cantonal police major riots".

Conspirators want to circumvent demo ban in Basel Critics of the state and measures and left-wing extremists wanted to demonstrate in Basel on Saturday: A ban on demonstrations is now in force - the potential for escalation remains high.

https://www.nau.ch/news/schweiz/schwurbler-wollen-demo-verbot-in-basel-umgehen-66631497

Demo organiser Mario Della Giacoma explains to Nau.ch: "The advantage of an event in three countries is that there are alternative options." Registration at Rheinpark in Germany is currently being extended so that the entire event can take place there. The general ban on demonstrations in Basel is a slap in the face for him: "I have already invested over 200 hours in this event. We are not right-wing extremists or anti-Semites - we have been demonstrating peacefully for four years now." "Mass-Voll" president and National Council candidate Nicolas Rimoldi also declared: "We're going to demonstrate!" He claims that the ban on demonstrations is unconstitutional.

Opponents of measures receive demo asylum in Germany

https://www.20min.ch/story/basel-massnahmegegner-erhalten-demo-asyl-in-deutschland-268354233931

After Basel-Stadt issued a general ban on demonstrations due to the general security situation in connection with the escalation in the Middle East, a planned "tri-national rally" on Saturday has now been moved to Germany. An event with the potential to escalate: speakers who spread anti-Semitic conspiracy theories and move in far-right circles are to speak. The rally will be led by prominent figures from the scene such as Mass-Voll and the Freiheitstrychler.

Mass Voll boss Nicolas Rimoldi taken away In view of the tense security situation in the wake of the war in the Middle East, several cities have banned demonstrations. Basel is one of them. Corona sceptics and counter-demonstrators gathered nevertheless.

https://www.blick.ch/schweiz/basel/polizei-einsatz-in-basel-corona-skeptiker-wollen-trotz-verbot-demonstrieren-id19063477.html#

Large-scale operation for the police in Basel. The reason: coronavirus sceptics and the left-wing scene. Under the name "Demo for Peace, Freedom and Sovereignty", coronavirus sceptics held a tri-national rally in the border triangle near Basel on Saturday. The event was initially authorised in Basel. However, all demonstrations were eventually banned due to the Middle East conflict. Rimoldi wrote on his Telegram channel afterwards: "Thanks to the police for protecting us from terrorists. My mobile phone is now with the Kapo."

Election party of the critics of the measures Mass-full fails at the ballot box The movement centred around Nicolas Rimoldi receives less than one percent of the vote in the canton of Zurich - and thus clearly misses out on a seat in the National Council.

https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/wahlparty-der-massnahmenkritiker-mass-voll-scheitert-an-der-urne-949065469062

The Mass-voll grouping will not be represented in the Swiss parliament in the coming legislative period. In Zurich, where its president Nicolas A. Rimoldi occupied the first place on the list, Mass-voll received 0.65 per cent of the vote at the end of the day and therefore clearly missed out on a place in the National Council. However, her votes helped the EDU, which entered into a list alliance with Massvoll (and Aufrecht): the Christian-conservative party now has a seat in the National Council.

Lancement d'une initiative pour la souveraineté alimentaire

https://agefi.com/actualites/entreprises/uniterre-lancement-dune-initiative-pour-la-souverainete-alimentaire

Uniterre will launch a popular initiative to enshrine the principle of food sovereignty in the Federal Constitution. This decision was taken unanimously by the delegates of the Swiss Farmers' Union at their meeting in Yverdon (VD) on Wednesday. The text will be submitted to the Federal Chancellery in September, Valentina Hemmeler Maïga, syndicale secrétaire d'Uniterre, told ats. Discussions will be held here in order to find more partners for this initiative.

Les coronasceptiques launch a new initiative to safeguard the sovereignty of Switzerland The corona-sceptics based on the figure of Nicolas Rimoldi are launching a new popular initiative. They want nothing less than to "save sovereignty". The national councillors of the UDC are also in favour.

https://www.blick.ch/fr/news/suisse/aides-par-des-politiciens-udc-les-coronasceptiques-lancent-une-nouvelle-initiative-pour-sauver-la-souverainete-de-la-suisse-id19049035.html

A new popular initiative is giving impetus to the electoral campaign of the corona-sceptics based on the figure at the head of the Mass-Voll movement Nicolas Rimoldi and the President of the Friends of the Constitution Roland Bühlmann. The coup d'envoi of the initiative dite de souveraineté is given this mardi. As the title of the project says, it aims to "ensure effective protection of constitutional rights". They want nothing less than to "safeguard sovereignty". The initiative demands that Switzerland does not enter into international commitments that would oblige local authorities to intervene "in the area of the protection of fundamental rights or other constitutional rights". The authors of the initiative also want to exclude "the provisions of the law on security, the economy, health or the environment of a preventive or repressive nature".

15.09.2023

https://www.saiten.ch/von-der-strasse-in-die-politik/

Civil rights movements such as Aufrecht or Mass-voll have demonstrated for months against the policies of the Federal Council and parliament. Now they themselves are running in the national and Council of States elections. Among them are conspiracy theorists, state rejectionists - and right-wing extremists.

12.09.2023

https://www.onlinereports.ch/Gesellschaft.112+M5a3ff48def9.0.html

Although often unconscious and unread, the 175-year-old rulebook is rightly present in people's minds. Despite its 175 years, the Swiss Federal Constitution, the founding act of the Swiss federal state in 1848, is not a museum piece to be viewed behind glass. Rather, it is a tool that is used again and again.

11.09.2023

https://zofingertagblatt.ch/wahlen-2023-edu-piraten-und-loesungs-orientierte-was-die-kleinen-motiviert-bei-den-nationalratswahlen-anzutreten/

713 candidates from Aargau want to run for the National Council. Not all of them are running for the big ones - even small parties or groups repeatedly put themselves forward for election, even though they know their chances are slim.

The Mass-Voll grouping around the controversial Corona measures critic Nicolas Rimoldi also remained alone. The leading candidate is Roland Bühlmann. In the AZ, Bühlmann rates his chances of winning a seat as "average".

One thing is clear: if you want a seat on the National Council in Aargau, you need about six percent of the electorate.

16.08.2023

https://www.blick.ch/politik/von-den-linken-gelernt-massnahmen-kritiker-lancieren-referendums-plattform-id18845115.html?utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=share-button&utm_source=copy-to-clipboard

By means of a large digital voting card, the "Friends of the Constitution" would like to be able to hold referendums more quickly and easily. The organisation of critics of the Corona measures now also want to have their say on other issues.

 

14.08.2023

https://www.rts.ch/info/suisse/14236782-fautil-faciliter-la-recolte-de-signatures-pour-les-outils-de-democratie-directe.html

Does the Swiss population have enough votes on federal policy issues? Estimating that the requirements for launching a referendum are too high, the Group of Friends of the Constitution wants to facilitate the collection of signatures and will launch an initiative in this sense.

16.08.2023

https://zofingertagblatt.ch/listenverbindungen-heute-muessen-diese-eingereicht-werden-und-heute-ist-klar-die-musikpartei-und-die-slep-spannen-zusammen/

SVP and FDP, Mitte and EVP as well as SP, Greens and GLP: These well-known list combinations are joined by a fourth: The Solution-Oriented People's Movement of Theres Schöni, who distinguished herself as a Corona sceptic, is running with the Music Party, the Swiss Liberté Egalité Party and "rechts-punkt.ch".

It is also clear after the deadline for registration that three parties or groups are going into the elections alone: The Pirate Party, the Pirate Party, which had joined forces with the SP and the Greens in 2019. the "Mass-Voll!" movement, whose top candidate Roland Bühlmann was still confident last week about an alliance. and the Party of Labour will not enter into any list enter into a list alliance.  

14.08.2023

https://brugger-woche.ch/news/buerger-nicht-eliten-sollen-entscheiden/

Dr Roland Bühlmann - Fresh thinking / Citizens, not elites, should decide

Switzerland is known for its direct democracy. But this only works in part. The Friends of the Constitution have new ideas on how to strengthen the people's rights.

10.08.2023

https://www.watson.ch/fr/suisse/politique/162159333-referendum-au-rabais-l-initiative-des-amis-de-la-constitution#:~:text=Les%20Amis%20de%20la%20Constitution,ont%20un%20tout%20autre%20projet

Les anti-mesures Covid préparent leur nouveau combat

More than 14 months have passed since the introduction of the last Covid restrictions. However, despite the people's vote in favour of the Covid law this Thursday, the deplorables of the measures are not letting up.

09.08.2023

https://www.nzz.ch/meinung/die-verfassungsfreunde-wollen-mehr-referenden-bitte-nicht-man-kann-die-volksrechte-auch-zu-tode-lieben-ld.1750678?reduced=true

Constitutionalists want more referendums: Please don't - you can also love You can also love the people's rights to death

It is not a good idea to simplify the collection of signatures. The people's voice needs a minimum of representativeness.

For the friends of the constitution, the Corona critics from the anti-Justice milieu, this cannot go on. They want, as CH Media reported, They want to make referendums quicker and easier. strengthen democracy". The citizens' movement will soon inform the public about the exact shortly.

The Friends of the Constitution are not the only ones who want to simplify the rules for collecting signatures. the rules for collecting signatures. Several cantons cantons are flirting with the electronic collection of signatures. the federal government is also exploring the possibility, and parties from the left to the Free parties, from the left to the Free Democrats, seem to think that filling out signature antiquated - after all, we are modern and digital nowadays, not handwritten and and no longer handwritten and by post.

08.08.2023

https://zofingertagblatt.ch/wahlen-die-freunde-der-verfassung-verweigern-sich-den-wahlen-lancieren-aber-eine-initiative-fuer-schnellere-und-billigere-referenden/

They do not want to be taken over by the system. That is why the Friends of the Constitution do not want to enter parliament. But they now want to make direct democracy more accessible.

04.08.2023

https://zofingertagblatt.ch/wahlen-2023-buehlmann-und-sechs-nobodys-mass-voll-praesentiert-ihre-nationalratsliste-fuer-den-aargau/

Already at the beginning of July, the Mass-Voll citizens' movement, which is critical of the coronation, announced that it would be contesting the National Council elections in the canton of Aargau with its own list. The best-known name on the list and top candidate of the citizens' movement in Aargau: Roland Bühlmann. Like Nicolas Rimoldi, president of Mass-Voll, Bühlmann has been a figurehead of the Coronasceptic movement since the pandemic: the IT entrepreneur from Auw has been president of the Friends of the Constitution since May 2022.

The Friends of the Constitution refuse to go to the polls, but launch a new popular initiative

https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/schweiz/wahlen-die-freunde-der-verfassung-verweigern-sich-den-wahlen-lancieren-aber-eine-initiative-fuer-schnellere-und-billigere-referenden-ld.2495989?reduced=true

They do not want to be co-opted by the system. That is why the Friends of the Constitution do not want to enter parliament. But they now want to make direct democracy more accessible. As Co-President of the Friends of the Constitution, Roland Bühlmann is submitting the referendum against the Covid law on 30 March 2023, together with Mass-Voll President Nicolas Rimoldi. Bühlmann is now President of the Friends of the Constitution.

21.07.2023  

https://www.bernerzeitung.ch/sturm-der-berner-exoten-auf-den-nationalrat-662711115578

Upright and Mass-Full Two well-known resistance groups against the Corona measures are running for the National Council. With Aufrecht and Mass-voll, two groups will be running in the autumn National two groups are running for the National Council elections in the autumn. to the Corona policy of the authorities. And although in the Bernese region - like the Friends of the Constitution or the the Friends of the Constitution or the Freedom Tories - they lack a real figurehead, they have a serious chance of winning a seat.

19.07.2023

https://zofingertagblatt.ch/coronakritiker-nancy-holten-tritt-doch-nicht-fuer-mass-voll-an-wegen-whatsapp/

The Fricktal opponent of cows and church bells withdraws withdraws her candidacy for the National Council. Last week, "Mass-Voll" president Rimoldi confirmed that he would also be to stand in the National Council elections in Aargau. It is known that Roland Bühlmann is likely to be the front-runner. Bühlmann is Bühlmann has become known for his fight against Covid 19 measures. The IT entrepreneur from Auw has been president of the association "Friends of the of the "Friends of the Constitution" association, which is critical of the measures. most recently served as co-president of the referendum committee against the the Covid 19 law.

Aargau top candidate - Roland Bühlmann

 

14.07.2023

https://www.watson.ch/schweiz/wahlen%202023/991640321-zerstritten-und-zersplittert-corona-skeptiker-stehen-sich-selbst-im-weg

The opponents of the measures want to run in the autumn elections. But the hoped-for alliances with the SVP are unlikely to materialise. The groups "Aufrecht" and "Mass-Voll" are planning to run in several cantons in the national elections in autumn.

13.07.2023

http://SVP-Geschäftsleitung ends Glarner's flirtation with "Mass-Voll"

The SVP Aargau is sticking to the alliance with the FDP and EDU and does not want to enter into any further list enter into any further list alliances. The cantonal party is clearly committed to the civic list alliance, the SVP Aargau management announced. management of the SVP Aargau. This was in response to an earlier announcement by National Councillor and Aargau party president Andreas Glarner, who with the Mass-Voll citizens' movement, which is represented in the which intends to run a list of candidates in the Aargau National elections in Aargau. The civic movement, which during the Corona pandemic for its opposition to restrictive measures. measures during the Corona pandemic, had previously presented its first two candidates, Nancy Holten and Roland Bühlmann. candidates.

 

12.07.2023

http://"Red line crossed": Will the SVP-FDP alliance in Aargau break up because of Rimoldi's "Mass-Voll"?

The list connection between the Aargau FDP and the SVP is hanging by a thread. This could now break, because Andreas Glarner is flirting with the idea of also the anti-corona movement "Mass-Voll" on board for the National "Mass-Voll" movement on board for the National Council elections.

 

nau.ch 10.07.2023

https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/wahlen-2023-zoff-unter-den-massnahmen-kritiker-66540881

21.06.2023

https://auf1.tv/nachrichten-auf1/dr-roland-buehlmann-freunde-der-verfassung-wir-wollen-souveraen-bleiben/?ac=1&lc=1

Switzerland is one of the very few countries in the world that allows the people to decide directly on essential political issues through referendums. In Europe, the Swiss Confederation is thus a model for many patriotic parties that also wish to strengthen direct democracy in their countries. The President of the "Friends of the Constitution", the Swiss Dr. Roland Bühlmann, comments in an AUF1 interview on the recent referenda on the continuation of the Covid measures as well as climate protection.

18.06.2023

https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/freunde-der-verfassung-sind-enttauscht-66522646

The Covid Bill is on course for a third Yes vote. They had hoped that people had become wiser, said Friends of the Constitution President Roland Bühlmann.

11.05.2023

https://www.fm1today.ch/schweiz/gegner-des-covid-19-gesetzes-starten-abstimmungskampagne-151469181

On 18 June, Switzerland will vote on the Covid 19 law. For the third time in two years, an alliance of civil rights organisations, associations and parties wants to end what they see as harmful measures.

A No to the bill on 18 June would mean a return to normality, the committee of opponents of the measures against the Covid 19 pandemic told the media in Bern on Thursday. "Corona is over and the Covid certificate must disappear," said Nicolas Rimoldi, president of the Massful movement. He added that the emergency right must be taken away from the Federal Council.

30.04.2023

https://www.bote.ch/nachrichten/schweizundwelt/massnahmen-gegner-kuendigen-intensive-kampagne-zu-covid-gesetz-an-gelingt-es-den-befuerwortern-wenigstens-ein-komitee-zu-gruenden-art-1476221

The opponents of the measures around "Mass-voll!" speak of an "optimal starting position" to sink the extension of the Covid law at the ballot box - also because the supporters are struggling to get a campaign going.

27.04.2023

https://www.swissinfo.ch/ger/wirtschaft/warum-die-schweiz-ein-drittes-mal-ueber-das-covid-gesetz-abstimmt/48465316

Certificates, covid tests or software for contact tracing are a thing of the past. On 18 June, however, the Swiss electorate will vote a third time on the legal basis for measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The referendum committee "Measures? No Thanks" submitted a total of 59,211 valid signatures to the Federal Chancellery on 4 April to oppose the amendment to the law Covid-19 of 16 December 2022.

The committee consists mainly of the associations "Mass-Voll" and "Friends of the Constitution". These movements, with no clear political affiliation, have distinguished themselves during the pandemic through their opposition to the policies of the Federal Council and in particular to the Covid 19 certificate.

27.04.2023

https://www.swissinfo.ch/fre/economie/pourquoi-les-suisses-votent-une-troisi%C3%A8me-fois-sur-la-loi-covid-19/48462040

Passe sanitaire, tests Covid ou logiciel de traçage des contacts appartiennent désormais au passé. On 18 June, the Swiss people will be asked to vote for the third time on the legal basis that regulates measures to combat coronavirus pandemics.

13.04.2023

https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/die-seltsamen-freunde-der-freunde-der-verfassung-66472810

Opponents of the Covid 19 law are also fighting against other threats to free citizens. For example, white lines.

You can choose your friends, but not your family, they say. There is something to this, of course, even if a thin fog of uncertainty obscures whether the constitution has chosen the "friends of the constitution" as friends. Conversely, yes, undoubtedly, just as the friends of the Constitution have come together in agreement with "Mass-Voll" to submit the third referendum against the Covid 19 law.

12.04.2023

https://www.nau.ch/politik/bundeshaus/referendum-zum-covid-19-gesetz-svp-fasst-nein-parole-66471789

On 18 June, the Swiss electorate will once again decide on the Covid 19 law. On Tuesday evening, the SVP decided on the official No-parole.

The Swiss electorate will vote again on 18 June on the Covid 19 law. Now there is some momentum in the referendum campaign: on Tuesday evening, in the proverbial shadow of the CS session, the People's Party officially adopted the No-parole. In a media release entitled "Three years of emergency law are enough", the SVP launches a broadside against the law.

The People's Party is convinced that the Federal Council could restrict the freedom of the population at any time with the Covid 19 law. Such "massive encroachments on fundamental rights" cannot be justified by anything, according to the media release.

10.04.2023

https://www.lenouvelliste.ch/suisse/la-suisse-a-t-elle-vraiment-mal-a-sa-democratie-1269412

Various groups of citizens are arguing for a reform of Swiss democracy, calling in particular for the creation of citizens' assemblies. Is the country of initiatives and referendums no longer what it used to be?

09.04.2023

https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/news-service/inland-schweiz/corona-skeptiker-ich-will-ins-bundeshaus-nicolas-rimoldi-von-mass-voll-bewegung-kandidiert-fuer-nationalrat-ld.2440752

In several cantons, critics of Corona measures want to run for the federal elections. In the canton of Zurich, Nicolas Rimoldi, who is known as the head of the Mass-voll movement, wants to enter the Federal Parliament. In doing so, he is to receive support from the Friends of the Constitution.

05.04.2023

https://www.lematin.ch/story/le-3e-referendum-est-confirme-contre-la-loi-covid-109128343090

Le référendum a abouti: la population suisse votera le 18 juin sur la loi Covid. Sauf que la crise est dépassée et que ce scrutin soulève des questions.

04.04.2023

https://www.nau.ch/news/schweiz/schweiz-stimmt-erneut-uber-covid-19-gesetz-ab-66466658

The Swiss population will again vote on amendments to the Covid 19 law. This was brought about by a referendum committee around the "Friends of the Constitution".

04.04.2023

https://www.radiolac.ch/politique/le-peuple-se-prononcera-pour-la-3e-fois-sur-la-loi-covid-19/

Le peuple votera le 18 juin prochain pour la troisième fois sur la loi Covid-19. La Chancellerie fédérale a annoncé mardi que le référendum a formellement abouti, avec 56'184 signatures valables.

The Committee of the Whole, which opposes the extension of certain provisions of the Covid-19 law adopted by Parliament in December last year, submitted 59,211 signatures on 30 March. The Chancellery had provisionally reserved the date of 18 June for this vote.

The referendum is notably supported by the Mass-Voll movement, an alpine group that illustrated itself during the pandemic with actions against the policies of the Federal Council, as well as by the Amis de la Constitution. Cette association, créée en juillet 2020, avait également participé au lancement du référendum contre la loi sur le terrorisme.

30.03.2023

https://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/komitee-sammelt-60-000-unterschriften-fuer-drittes-covid-referendum-593183308761

Individual provisions of the Covid law should be repealed, demand the Mass-full and Friends of the Constitution movements. The voting date is 18 June.

A committee around the Mass-Full and Friends of the Constitution movements submitted around 60,000 referendum signatures against the extension of the Covid law on Thursday. They want to draw a final line under the pandemic.

"Covid is history," said Roland Bühlmann, co-president of the Friends of the Constitution, on the Bundesterrasse in Bern, where the signatures were handed over to the Federal Chancellery. "The Corona measures did not and do not make sense." Therefore, he said, the Covid law must be repealed as soon as possible.

16.03.2023

https://www.aargauerzeitung.ch/schweiz/corona-mass-voll-co-haben-es-geschafft-im-juni-stimmen-wir-zum-dritten-mal-ueber-das-covid-gesetz-ab-ld.2429340?reduced=true

"Mass-full!" and the Friends of the Constitution have succeeded thanks to a final spurt and collected more than 60,000 signatures against the extension of the Covid law. An FDP National Councillor is now on the referendum committee.