At the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA) meeting on 17 March 2023, delegates from around the world unanimously approved an election manifesto for the “Fifth Switzerland”, calling for political action in seven key areas during the forthcoming legislative period.
Due to increased international mobility, the number of Swiss Abroad entered on the electoral register of a specific canton and able to participate in the federal elections has been growing for years. However, geographical distance from the relevant authorities and politicians in Switzerland makes it harder for Swiss Abroad to be politically engaged. Through its highest body, the Council of the Swiss Abroad (CSA), the Organisation of the Swiss Abroad (OSA) acts as an interface defending the interests of the “Fifth Switzerland” in Switzerland. The CSA, referred to as the “Parliament of the Fifth Switzerland”, has submitted an election manifesto to Switzerland’s political parties, authorities, and election candidates, setting out key demands on behalf of the Swiss Abroad for the 2023–27 legislative period.
In its election manifesto, the CSA calls for a concerted effort to remove unnecessary obstacles to international mobility for Swiss nationals. It wants a clear commitment to developing and driving e-government, which will provide the Swiss Abroad with easy access to government services – regardless of time zone or the geographical distance from Switzerland. Quick and easy access to consular services must also continue for Swiss Abroad in their country of domicile.
To prevent new restrictions on international mobility, the CSA is a strong supporter of continued freedom of movement that allows Swiss citizens to live and work in EU/EFTA countries.
The CSA also advocates removing barriers for Swiss Abroad in relation to social security.
Voter turnout among the Swiss Abroad plummeted at the last federal elections in 2019, because e-voting was not available. The CSA – as it did before the last legislative period – therefore calls on politicians to introduce e-voting quickly and across the board. When voting papers fail to arrive in time by post, e-voting is the only way for the Swiss Abroad to exercise their right to vote as enshrined in the constitution. An election manifesto on its own is not enough to ensure that Swiss politicians take the concerns of the “Fifth Switzerland” into account. The Swiss Abroad should actually be able to have a say on the future composition of parliament itself and deserve to be adequately represented.
The OSA 2023 election manifesto in full (in German and French): revue.link/manifest
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