Swiss to vote on preventing cashless society

World
06-02-2023 | 08:51
High views
Share
LBCI
Share
LBCI
Whatsapp
facebook
Twitter
Messenger
telegram
telegram
print
Swiss to vote on preventing cashless society
Whatsapp
facebook
Twitter
Messenger
telegram
telegram
print
2min
Swiss to vote on preventing cashless society

Swiss citizens will get the chance to try to ensure their economy never becomes cashless, a pressure group said, after collecting enough signatures by Monday to trigger a popular vote on the issue.

The FBS (Free Switzerland Movement) says cash is playing a shrinking role in many economies, as electronic payments become the default for transactions in increasingly digitized societies, making it easier for the state to monitor its citizens' actions.
 
It wants a clause added to Switzerland's currency law, which governs how the central bank and government manage the money supply, stipulating that a "sufficient quantity" of banknotes or coins must always remain in circulation.

There is no evidence of moves towards a cashless society by Swiss authorities.

FBS said it had garnered over 111,000 signatures in support of the measure, above the 100,000 needed to trigger a popular vote. Under Switzerland's system of direct democracy, the proposal would become law if approved by voters, though government and parliament would decide how that law was implemented.
 
"It is clear that ... getting rid of cash not only touches on issues of transparency, simplicity or security ... but also carries a huge danger of totalitarian surveillance," FBS president Richard Koller said on the group's website.

He also views Switzerland as a European standard-bearer for the defense of cash, as pushing through such guarantees in the European Union would entail the "almost impossible" process of securing approval from all 27 member states.
 
Accelerated by the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns, the trend towards increased cashless payments was evident as far back as 2017, when an Ipsos study found more than a third of Europeans and Americans would happily go without cash and 20% pretty much did so already.
 

Digitized

Society

Swiss

Citizens

Population

Vote

Switzerland

Preventing

Cashless

Economy

Circulation

Money

Finance

Currency

Subscribe to our VOD
SUBSCRIBE
Our visitors readings
d-none hideMe
LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
2026-09-07

In South Lebanon: Israel strikes kill family in Kfar Roummane as escalation deepens in Nabatieh

LBCI
Middle East News
2026-06-12

Iran state media says Tehran would not cede control of Hormuz under draft US deal

LBCI
Middle East News
2026-09-13

Iran president says Tehran and UAE want to 'turn the page' on war

LBCI
Middle East News
2026-04-01

Strikes hit area near former US embassy in Tehran: AFP

Videos
d-none hideMe
LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-09-18

Heavy rain and flooding hit Lebanon’s Zahle region: Footage

LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-09-17

Aoun arrives at Élysée Palace for meeting with Macron—Video

LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-08-06

Lebanon-Israel talks: delegations arrive at US Embassy in Rome — Video

LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-07-24

Residents begin returning to Zawtar el-Gharbiyeh, southern Lebanon: Video

LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-07-20

Slotkin to LBCI: Lebanese army needs resources to confront Hezbollah, $36 million request submitted for special forces

LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-06-26

Lebanon’s ambassador to Washington: trilateral framework agreement first step toward restoring sovereignty

LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-06-26

Rubio on Lebanon-Israel framework agreement: 'beginning of the beginning,' more work needed

LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-06-26

Lebanon, Israel sign trilateral framework agreement after Washington talks attended by Rubio: Video

LBCI
Lebanon News
2026-06-20

Israeli strikes renew on Choukine, Maifadoun, and Nabatieh al-Fawqa in southern Lebanon: Video

Most read
d-none hideMe
24 hours
7 days
Month
LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
12:58

Three years after October 7 attack, Israel steps up threats against Iran, Lebanon and Gaza: The details

LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
13:03

After Washington talks, Salam turns to three key files at home

LBCI
Lebanon News
09:56

Economy Minister receives EBRD delegation to discuss reforms and private sector support

LBCI
Middle East News
05:29

Yemeni government forces seize district by Bab el-Mandeb: Military sources to Reuters

LBCI
Middle East News
09:33

Houthis warn Saudi airspace dangerous for civilian flights: Official media

LBCI
Middle East News
11:44

UK security adviser visited Israel in bid to keep Jerusalem consulate open, sources tell Reuters

LBCI
Middle East News
11:25

Vance: No conclusive evidence linking Iran to Flydubai incident

LBCI
World News
10:11

ICC unveils arrest warrants for two Taliban leaders

Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
Download now the LBCI mobile app
We use
cookies
We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More