Switzerland to hold referendum on COVID lockdowns

Switzerland will hold a referendum on whether or not the government should retain power to impose new lockdown measures in coming days.

"Curious to see how this vote turns out: 'Switzerland is holding a referendum on whether to strip the government of its power to impose coronavirus lockdowns'" tweeted Luke Rudkowski, founder of We Are Change.

Switzerland is one of the few European nations to not implement strict measures to try to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, but, according to the Swiss government, they are in the process of changing that.

However, in response, people circulated a petition, which has now garnered over 86,000 signatures, much more than the 50,000 required for submission within 100 days of circulation. Submitting this petition meant that, under Swiss law, a referendum at the national level will now be necessary.

Switzerland's democratic model is unique in being the most direct democracy currently in existence. The country regularly holds referendums multiple times per year, and citizens vote directly on important issues which could be virtually anything. The results of all Swiss referendums are binding and have the full force of law.

However, in this case the vote, which is technically a vote to repeal the 2020 COVID-19 Act currently in effect, will not be held until at least June due to scheduling and logistics requirements.