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Do the Swiss Abroad have enough power?

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As a correspondent at the Federal Palace for SWI swissinfo.ch, I report on federal politics for the Swiss Abroad. After studying at the Academy of Journalism and Media at the University of Neuchâtel, my career path initially took me to various regional media, working in the editorial offices of Journal du Jura, Canal 3 and Radio Jura bernois. Since 2015, I have been working in the multilingual editorial department of SWI swissinfo.ch, where I continue to practise my profession with passion.

Of the 800,000 Swiss citizens living abroad, some 210,000 are registered with an embassy or representation and can thus exercise their political rights in Switzerland. Some people can therefore vote in Switzerland, even though they may never have lived there.

As opposed to Switzerland, German restricts the political participation of its citizens living abroad: they lose their right to vote after 25 years outside the country. The UK has a similar rule which kicks in after 15 years.

But other countries are more liberal: France and Italy don’t just give citizens living abroad the right to vote, they also have specific electoral districts for these people, and thus they have their own representatives in parliament.

What do you think? Should Switzerland further liberalise or restrict the political rights of its citizens living abroad?

Join the conversation!

Contributions must adhere to our guidelines. If you have questions or wish to suggest other ideas for debates, please, get in touch!
Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

IF AT LEAST THE VOTING MATERIAL ARRIVED ON TIME AND IT COST MORE THAN 30 FRS TO RETURN IT? SE POSTE???????.IL Y AURAIT CERTAINEMRNT PLUS DE VOTANTS ET D'INSCRITS AUX EMBASSADES. A.MARTUNOLI

SI AU MOINS LE MATERIEL DE VOTE ARRIVAIT A TEMPS ET POUR LE RETOURNER PLUS DE 30 FRS? SE POSTE???????.IL Y AURAIT CERTAINEMRNT PLUS DE VOTANTS ET D'INSCRITS AUX EMBASSADES. A.MARTUNOLI

Natascha_M_Wolf
Natascha_M_Wolf
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Lighten the load.
There are so many reasons for this.
Democracy is underdeveloped worldwide, both in politics and in the economy, and lags far behind what would be good for communities.
When people go abroad, they often don't have the right to vote to begin with and would be glad to have at least that in their home country.
In some areas, Switzerland is an absolute pioneer in terms of democracy and thus serves as a role model for other countries. If the Swiss abroad remain involved in voting, they will carry this very construct - direct democracy - to other countries.
If people are attached to their homeland, like parts of my family who emigrated far away a long time ago, then they always have an interest in their homeland - even into old age - and often also wish to return, and nowadays they are much more connected and informed about their homeland and family via digital media.
If you were born abroad and - like many children - are initially only interested in your own environment, the return to your roots can come even later and is also encouraged by the media, voting and travelling to your home country.
Switzerland is also very dependent on many international players in this globally networked world and it would do it good if it saw its expatriate citizens as a resource!
But of course it would also be good if foreigners in Switzerland were given more voting rights. But this also requires a strong integration effort.
Democracy needs education and solidarity - without that, it will collapse.

Erleichtern.
Es gibt so viele Gründe dafür.
Demokratie ist weltweit sowohl in der Politik als auch in der Wirtschaft unterentwickelt, hinkt weit hinter dem zurück, was für Gemeinschaften gut wäre.
Wenn Menschen in‘s Ausland gehen, haben sie dort oft anfangs kein Wahlrecht und wären froh, sie hätten wenigstens noch das in ihrem Heimatland.
Die Schweiz ist in manchen Bereichen absoluter Vorreiter in Sachen Demokratie und hat damit eine Vorbildfunktion für andere Länder. Bleiben die Auslandsschweizer auch per Wahl beteiligt, tragen sie gerade dieses Konstrukt: direkte Demokratie in andere Länder.
Wenn Menschen an ihrer Heimat hängen, wie Teile meiner vor langer Zeit weit weg emigrierten Familie, dann haben sie immer Interesse an der Heimat - bis in‘s hohe Alter - oft auch Rückkehrwünsche und heutzutage sind sie viel mehr über digitale Medien mit der Heimat und Familie verbunden und informiert.
Ist man im Ausland geboren und hat - wie viele Kinder - erstmal nur Interesse an der eigenen Umgebung, kann die Rückbesinnung auf die Wurzeln noch später kommen und wird auch gefördert durch Medien, Stimmbeteiligung und Reisen in‘s Heimatland.
Die Schweiz ist auch sehr abhängig von vielen internationalen Akteuren in dieser global vernetzten Welt und da tut es ihr eher gut, wenn sie die ausgewanderten Bürger als Ressource sieht!
Aber natürlich wäre es auch gut, wenn die Ausländer in der Schweiz mehr Stimmrechte bekämen. Dazu braucht es aber auch eine starke Integrationsleistung.
Demokratie braucht Bildung und Solidarität - ohne das geht sie kaputt.

Hugo Studhalter
Hugo Studhalter

Having lived in Canada for over 50 years, I must come to the conclusion that my voting rights are questioned by myself because I do not have to live with the conclusion of such a vote since I do not live there!
Surely, I have remained very much “Swiss” as I have visited my hometown in Switzerland every year, and I also get a good orientation on what is going on there.
If I would be living in a neighbouring country and/or if I would live Switzerland on a short time basis, my viewpoint would be different.
Fundamentally however, it is very difficult to have certain regulations in place which might different from what is in place today, and at the end it is the judgment of each individual Swiss living outside of Switzerland to decide for him/herself.

cesardelucasivorra@hotmail.com
cesardelucasivorra@hotmail.com
The following contribution has been automatically translated from ES.

The fact that possibly Switzerland has 800,000 citizens living outside the state and probably only 210,000 can vote, should be studied by the institutions that guarantee the fundamental rights of the citizen. The situation that other countries facilitate or impede the participation of their compatriots outside the state, in the different electoral suffrages of diverse nature, goes in function on the one hand of the obligation on the part of the diplomatic service to offer that democratic right, but on the other hand to know if the citizen that exercises the vote accredits a faith of life linked that at the moment of the voting, that can be compared and with a legal situation in agreement with his rights of nationality, without implying any undervaluation or legal defenselessness, independently of his personal situation.
César De Lucas Ivorra. San Juan De Alicante. Spain.

El hecho de que posiblemente Suiza tenga 800.000 ciudadanos viviendo fuera del estado y probablemente sólo puedan votar 210.000, debe ser estudiado por las instituciones que garantizan los derechos fundamentales del ciudadano. La situación de que otros países faciliten o impidan la participación de sus compatriotas fuera del estado, en los diferentes sufragios electorales de diversa índole, va en función por una parte de la obligación por parte del servicio diplomático de ofrecer ese derecho democrático, pero por otra parte saber si el ciudadano que ejerce el voto acredita una fe de vida vinculada que en el momento de la votación, que se pueda cotejar y con una situación jurídica acorde con sus derechos de nacionalidad, sin implicar ninguna minusvaloración o indefensión legal, independientemente de su situación personal.
César De Lucas Ivorra. San Juan De Alicante. España.

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Relevant questions indeed. I am a CH citizen living in Italy where there is a structure to represent the Swiss living in this country. However, I had to do extensive research on the internet, and join a regional "Cercle Suisse" (tiny number of members) to understand how the network in question is structured. Do they talk about the political issues facing our members of the federal parliament? Not much. It's mostly an opportunity to eat fondue with a glass of Fendant (I'm not criticizing, it's very pleasant!).
So the goal of generating voter turnout in Swiss elections is far from a foregone conclusion.
The Council of the Swiss Abroad sounds like an interesting idea, but do we really need annual face-to-face meetings? By what legitimacy are those who are sent to the congress in St. Gallen chosen? Are they reimbursed for their travel and accommodation expenses? What is the overall cost of this exercise? We have a right to know. I'd be in favor of a virtual meeting open to all entitled parties.

I have just voted (by post) in the Swiss national elections. As I'm a registered voter in Geneva, I've had a good look at the lists of candidates, and it seems that a number of them live neither in the canton nor in the confederation. Some even claim to be militants of foreign political parties. Perhaps not surprising, given that Geneva is surrounded by French territory and there are many "commuters" and "frontaliers". Are these people part of the network of Swiss abroad? You'll have to explain to us how a person resident in another country can exercise the power of an elected member of a cantonal or federal general council.

As far as the Swiss Abroad organization is concerned, I note that information is presented in multiple languages. Bravo - that's great. But why are only German and French allowed at meetings of the Council of Swiss Abroad? I'm in favor of using Italian and English, Spanish and Portuguese - in this sense the CSE could show an interesting example to the federal parliament.

En effet des questions pertinentes. Je suis citoyen CH habitant en italie ou il existe une structure de representation des Suisses habitant dans ce pays. Cependant il m'a fallu faire des recherches approfondies sur internet, et m'associer avec un "Cercle Suisse" regional (nombre minuscule d'adhérents) pour comprendre comment est structuré le réseau en question. Est ce qu'on y parle des enjeux politiques auquels nos deputés au parlement fédéral sont confrontés? Peu. C'est surtout l'occasion de manger la fondue avec un verre de Fendant (je ne critique pas, c'est très agréable!)
Donc l'objectif de générer de la participation dans les élections en Suisse est loin d'être acquise.
Le Conseil des Suisses de l'étranger me paraît comme une idée interessante mais est ce qu'on a vraiment besoin de réunions annuelles en personne? Par quelle legitimité sont choisis ceux qui sont envoyés au congrès à St. Gallen? Est ce qu'ils se font remboursés les frais de voyage et hébérgement? Quel est le coût gobal de cette exercice? On a le droit de savoir. Je serai favorable à une assemblée virtuelle ouvert à tous les ayants droits..

Je viens de voter (par correspondance) dans les élections nationales Suisse. Comme je suis inscrit à Genève j'ai parcouru attentivement les listes de candidats et je constate qu'apparement un certain nombre n'habitent ni dans le canton ni la confédération. Il y en a même certains qui se reveniquent militants de partis politiques étrangers. Peut être pas étonnant lorsqu'on constate que Genève est entouré de territoire francais et il y a beaucoup de "pendulaires" et de "frontaliers". Est ce que ces personnes font partie du réseau des suisses à l'étranger? Il conviendra de nous expliquer comment une personne résidente dans un autre pays peut exercer le pouvoir d'élu d'un conseil-général cantonal ou fédéral.

En ce qui concerne l'organisation Swiss Abroad, je constate que les informations sont presentées dans multiples langues. Bravo - c'est très bien. Mais pourquoi lors des séances du Conseil des Suisse à l'étranger seuls l'allemand et le francais sont admis? Je suis favorable à l'utilisation de l'italien et l'anglais, l'espagnol et le portugais - dans ce sens le CSE pourrait montrer un éxemple interessant au parlement fédéral.

tondu99
tondu99
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

We have a son living in England, temporarily for 2-3-4 years. He has kept his address in Switzerland, at the family home, and is registered as a voter in his commune. However, for reasons of cost and ecology, he only returns once a year at holiday time to see his parents, family and friends. We think that being able to delegate a trusted person in his commune and vote according to his instructions (with the voter's authorization recognized by his commune) (as is the practice for General Meetings of organizations or companies) would enable him to exercise his civic right while awaiting the roll-out of electronic voting.

Nous avons un fils qui vit en Angleterre, provisoirement pour 2-3-4 ans. Il a gardé son adresse en Suisse, à la maison familiale et est inscrit comme électeur dans sa commune. Seulement pour des raisons de coût et d'écologie, il ne rentre qu'une fois par an en période de fête pour voir ses parents, familles et amis. Nous pensons que de pouvoir déléguer une personne de confiance dans sa commune et faire des votes selon ses instructions (avec l'autorisation du votant reconnue auprès de sa commune) (tout comme ce qui se pratique pour les Assemblées Générales des organisations ou sociétés) lui permettrait d'exercer son droit civique en attendant le déploiement du vote électronique.

Katy Romy
Katy Romy SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@tondu99

Hello, thank you for sharing your experience with us. In this situation, this solution would indeed be practical. However, it is difficult to set up, since it would still require the voter's signature, and electronic signature is not possible.

Bonjour, merci d'avoir partager votre expérience avec nous. Dans cette situation, cette solution serait effectivement pratique. Toutefois, elle est difficile à mettre en place puisqu'il faudrait tout de même la signature du votant, et la signature électronique n'est pas possible.

ErnestoM
ErnestoM
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Preventing or limiting the rights of a citizen is unacceptable discrimination. This is all the more true if the citizen is "officially" in full possession of his/her capacity of discernment.
The federal, cantonal and communal authorities of his episodic residence in Switzerland (in his last registered place of residence) must take this right into account.
In this respect, digital communications must be developed to facilitate the role of citizen-elector, through the use of an e-mail address with an MP code, following the example of the existing process for participating in the "swissinfo.ch" platform. As a permanent resident of "Switzerland", or as a "part-time" resident for less than 90 consecutive days, or as a "secondary resident". In practice, in Ceglie Messapica (BR), Italy, I also experience delays in mail delivery, and during my frequent short stays in Switzerland, I am confronted with the difficulty of exercising my voting rights as a result. Since exchanges with the Federal Administration can and must be carried out electronically (VAT, salary and tax declarations, etc.), it's time for the institutions in our home country to invest in digital usage and security. No technical reason can justify this intolerable inertia.
The diversity of ideas, perceptions and experiences is a richness that open-minded, respectful people can and must be able to exercise for the good of our institutions and businesses, in addition to the good of each "person". The rights and duties of every Swiss citizen are enshrined in the Federal Constitution and its legislative provisions. Let the "censors" refer to them, before communicating nonsense and seeking to impose restrictions on usage. Benevolence and open-mindedness are riches to be cultivated, everywhere!

Empêcher ou limiter les droits d'un citoyen de nationalité est une discrimination inacceptable. Ceci est encore plus vrai, si ce citoyen est "Officiellement " en pleine possession de sa capacité de discernement.
L'administration fédérale, cantonale et communale de sa résidence épisodique en Suisse ( dans le dernier lieu de domicile enregistré doit prendre en compte ce droit.
A ce titre, les moyens de communications numériques doivent être développées afin de faciliter le rôle de citoyen(ne)- électeur(rice), ceci par l'usage d'une adresse e-mail avec un code - MP, à l'instar du processus existant pour participer à cette plateforme "swissinfo.ch". En sa qualité de résident,e permanent,e en "Suisse", ou de résident,e "à temps partiel " inférieure à 90 jours consécutifs, ou de titre de " Résident,e secondaire". Dans la pratique, à Ceglie Messapica (BR), en Italie, je vis aussi le retard dans la distribution du courrier et lors de mes fréquents et courts séjours en Suisse, je suis confronté à la difficulté d'exercer mes droits de vote de ce fait. Puisque les échanges avec l'Administration fédérale peuvent et devront se faire par voie électronique, (TVA, Déclarations de salaire, d'impôts, etc) il est temps que les institutions de notre pays d'origine investissent dans l'usage et la sécurité numérique, aucune raison technique ne peut justifier cette inertie intolérable.
La diversité des idées, des perceptions et des expériences vécues est une richesse que les personnes ouvertes, respectueuses peuvent et doivent pouvoir exercer pour le bien de nos institutions, de nos entreprises, en sus du bien afférent à chaque " personne". Les droits et les devoirs de chaque citoyen suisse sont inscrits dans la Constitution fédérale et les Dispositions législatives, que les "censeurs" s'y référent, avant de communiquer des inepties et vouloir imposer des restrictions d'usage. Bienveillance et ouverture d'esprit sont des richesses à cultiver, partout !

Walti55
Walti55
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Postal delivery in my host country is so slow, not to say non-existent, that election documents are regularly delivered a good two to three months late.
So the reply envelope would never reach Switzerland on time.

Ergo, the only solution would be e-voting; in this age of modern IT, I simply cannot explain why we are having such a hard time with this solution?

die Postzustellung ist in meinem Gastland derart langsam um nicht gleich sagen zu müssen inexistent, dass die Zustellung der Wahlunterlagen regelmäßig mit gut zwei- bis dreimonatigem Verzug erfolgt.
Selbstsprechend würde also auch das Rückantwortcouvert niemals die Schweiz zeitgerecht erreichen.

Ergo einzige Lösung währe ein E-Voting; kann mir in der Zeit der modernen IT einfach nicht erklären, warum wir uns mit dieser Lösung so schwer tun?

Katy Romy
Katy Romy SWI SWISSINFO.CH
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.
@Walti55

Indeed, many Swiss abroad have the same problem. I suggest you read the last article we published on the subject following the federal elections: [url]https://www.swissinfo.ch/fre/economie/le-vote-%C3%A9lectronique-ne-compense-pas-la-frustration-des-suisses-de-l-%C3%A9tranger/48919804[/url]

Effectivement, beaucoup de Suisses de l'étranger ont le même problème. Je vous propose de lire le dernier article que nous avons publié sur le sujet à la suite des élections fédérales: [url]https://www.swissinfo.ch/fre/economie/le-vote-%C3%A9lectronique-ne-compense-pas-la-frustration-des-suisses-de-l-%C3%A9tranger/48919804[/url]

Monsieur
Monsieur
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

as for me, I'm rather opposed to the right to vote for Swiss abroad. Some countries (Sweden, apparently) withdraw the right to vote from Swedish nationals after 20 years' residence abroad. In most cases, the Swiss gradually lose contact with their country of origin. They no longer possess information such as voting posters or discussions between friends.

quant à moi, je suis plutôt opposé au droit de vote pour les Suisses de l'étranger. Certains pays (la Suède parait-il) retire le droit de vote des ressortissants suédois après 20 ans de séjour à l'étranger. En effet, dans la plupart des cas, les Suisses perdent peu à peu le contact avec leur pays d'origine. Il ne possèdent plus les informations telles que les affiches de vote, les discussions entre amis.

Lacroix Elena
Lacroix Elena
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

It is important to take this into account and to grant them a number of seats that will be the subject of parliamentary discussion, by continent for example, as we too often forget that nationality is transmitted by blood. Few people are aware of the number of "Swiss citizens" who have never seen their homeland, who have children, grandchildren, etc., and who enjoy all - or almost all - the advantages of their country of origin.
Who posts these figures?
So it would be politically sound to put the subject on the table and examine why and how we count hundreds of thousands of Swiss abroad and the weight this represents for the country as well as locally the transmission of nationality and above all what it represents.

Il est important d'en tenir compte et de leur accorder un nombre de sièges qui fera l'objet d'une discussion parlementaire, par continent par exemple, car on oublie trop souvent que la nationalité est transmise par le sang. Peu sont ceux qui connaissent le nombre de "citoyens suisses" qui n'ont jamais vu la patrie, qui ont des enfants, petits enfants etc et qui bénéficient de tous - ou presque - avantages du pays d'origine.
Qui affiche ces chiffres ?
Donc il serait sain politiquement de mettre le sujet sur la table et examiner le pourquoi et le comment nous comptons des centaires de milliers de Suisses de l'étranger et le poids que cela représente pour le pays ainsi que localement la transmission de la nationalité et surtout ce qu'elle représente.

jepyerly@websud.ch
jepyerly@websud.ch
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

If the stay abroad is of short duration, up to a maximum of one year, he or she is entitled to political rights. If they stay for more than a year, their status falls. After all, you have to live in the country in order to get to grips with the difficult workings of politics and the sometimes turbulent political economy.

Si l'installation à l'étranger est de courte durée, un an maximum, il peut bénéficier des droits politiques. Si son séjour dépasse un an, son statut tombe . Car il faut vivre dans le Pays, afin de connaître les rouages difficiles de la politique, en matière d'économie politique parfois très turbulents.

Anonymous
Anonymous
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.

Do Swiss women have enough influence abroad?
Good day
Unfortunately we "simple" people have no influence at all, whether we can vote or not does not matter.
It is mainly the mentality of the administrations "they don't care", that's how I perceive it.
In the past you could write to a Federal Councillor personally and get a "decent" answer. Especially Mrs. E. Kopp was exemplary. Today, Federal Council mail is handled by the Federal Chancellery and no longer by the department. The late mayor of Zurich S. Widmer could be approached in the main station, on his way to Bern, asked something and was taken seriously. Recently I wanted to send a decent e-mail to a "Young Socialist National Councilor", to his National Council e-mail address. The mail was intercepted, because this person did not want any mails. Was told, thanks for the info.
When you can't communicate with elected people anymore, the "influence" also dwindles. Which we never had anyway.
It is absolutely clear to me that a Federal Councillor cannot answer all mails himself and personally, but, a possible answer should express the opinion and assessment of the respective Federal Councillor, even if it was/is "only" written by his secretariat.
If you ask the CH embassy in Thailand why they need 6 months to issue a foreigner - visa, they explain that the responsible officials are on vacation.
The biggest influence on what happens in Switzerland is not the politics, and the Swiss abroad certainly not, but the administration. No communal president, no government councilor and certainly no federal councilor can govern "against" their own administration. That is why it is so difficult to push for and implement change. It has always been like that and it was good that way.
Personally, I also had good contacts with authorities and administrations,
but often the Thai administration is faster, less bureaucratic and above all friendly...

Haben Schweizerinnen im Ausland genügend Einfluss?
Guten Tag
Leider haben wir "einfachen" Leute überhaupt keinen Einfluss, ob wir nun wählen können oder nicht spielt dabei keine Rolle.
Es ist vor allem die Mentalität der Verwaltungen "they don t care", so nehme ich das wahr.
Früher konnte man noch einem Bundesrat persönlich schreiben, und bekam eine "anständige" Antwort. Vor allem Frau E. Kopp war da vorbildlich. Heute wird die Bundesratspost von der Bundeskanzlei und nicht mehr vom Departement behandelt. Den verstorbenen Stadtpräsidenten von Zürich S. Widmer konnte man im Hauptbahnhof, auf dem seinem Weg nach Bern ansprechen, etwas fragen und wurde dabei ernst genommen. Kürzlich wollte ich einem "jungsozialistischen Nationalrat" ein anständiges E-mail schicken, an seine Nationalrats-E-Mail-Adresse. Das Mail wurde abgefangen, denn diese Person wünschte keine Mails. Hiess es, danke für die Info.
Wenn man mit gewählten Menschen nicht mehr kommunizieren kann schwindet auch der "Einfluss". Den wir sowieso nie hatten.
Es ist mir völlig klar, dass ein Bundesrat nicht alle Mails selber und persönlich beantworten kann, aber, eine allfällige Antwort sollte die Meinung und Einschätzung des jeweiligen Bundesrates zum Ausdruck bringen, auch wenn sie "nur" von seinem Sekretariat verfasst wurde/wird.
Wenn man die CH-Botschaft in Thailand fragt, warum sie 6 Monate brauchen um ein Ausländer - Visum auszustellen, erklärt man, die zuständigen Beamten seien in den Ferien.
Den grössten Einfluss auf das Geschehen in der Schweiz hat nicht die Politik, und die Auslandschweizer schon gar nicht, sondern die Verwaltung. Kein Gemeindepräsiden/in ,kein Regierungsrat/in und schon gar kein Bundesrat/in kann "gegen" die eigene Verwaltung regieren. Deshalb ist es auch so schwer, Veränderungen anzustsossen und durchzusetzen. Es war ja immer so und es war gut so.
Persönlich hatte ich auch gute Kontakte zu Behörden und Verwaltungen,
aber oft ist die thailändische Verwaltung schneller, unbürokratischen und vor allem freundlich...

Asparagus-Lake-Sarnen
Asparagus-Lake-Sarnen

liberalise

Beatriz Gerber
Beatriz Gerber
The following contribution has been automatically translated from PT.

When I went to Switzerland in 1983 with a Swiss passport, because my grandfather was from the Canton of Bern, I was received as a foreigner. I got my passport in Brazil, got on a plane and went to Lausanne, I didn't want to learn German because it was difficult and because I knew they had other dialects. I was received as a foreigner, which means I had to open a bank account and deposit 20,000 Swiss francs, have a house to live in, and have a school to study at. I did this on the same day, because I found it impressive that they told me my eyes were brown and that my height was smaller than what was stated on my Brazilian passport. I became 1.63 and brown eyes, and I am 1.65 and green eyes, for Brazil. When my father, Arthur Gerber's son, wanted to get the vaccine at the consulate, because he was the son of a Swiss man, a very nice lady explained to me, that since I only went and didn't inform him, I was received without the support that I would have. Now how was I to know that I would have support if when I got my passport nobody told me anything? I graduated from the Vieux Bois School and today I think: The best place in the CH world! I will never forget, I learned everything, good manners that I already had, but respect for others and what I never had in Brazil: the responsibility to be present in politics and in peace . Congratulations GREAT nation

Quando fui para Suíça em 1983 com passaporte Suíço, pois meu avô era do Cantão de Berna, fui recebida como uma estrangeira. Tirei o passaporte no Brasil e entrei no avião e fui para Lausanne, não queria aprender o alemão por ser difícil e por saber que fora isso tinham dialetos. Fui recebida como estrangeira, ou seja, tive que abrir uma conta no banco e depositar 20 mil francos suíços, ter uma casa para morar e ter uma escola para estudar. O que fiz no mesmo dia, pois achei impressionante terem falado que meus olhos eram marrons e minha altura era menor do que foi feito no passaporte do Brasil. Passei a ter 1.63 e olhos marrons e tenho 1.65 e olhos verdes, para o Brasil. Quando meu pai, filho do Arthur Gerber, quis tomar a vacina no consulado, por ser filho de suíço uma senhora muito simpática, então, me explicou, que como apenas fui e não avisei, fui recebida sem o apoio que teria. Agora como saber que teria um apoio se ao tirar o passaporte ninguém nada me falou? . Me formei na Escola Vieux Bois e hoje penso: O melhor lugar do mundo CH ! Nunca esquecerei, tudo aprendi, de boas maneiras que já tinha, mas respeito ao outro e o que nunca tive no Brasil: A responsabilidade de estar presente na política e em paz . Parabéns GRANDE nação

Asparagus-Lake-Sarnen
Asparagus-Lake-Sarnen

Liberalise the political rights of Swiss living abroad. It's a globalized information world now, and my Swiss wife compares our views with her relatives and friends in Switzerland weekly, both by phone and Skype. Our Swiss Review is also thoroughly read in hard cover too. Patrick Kupper is one of my favorite authors, because of his CREATING WILDERNESS book, and sponsorship by the RACHEL CARSON CENTER. Rachel was American of course!

Susanna
Susanna

We do not have enough power and we have good ideas and experience to contribute to Switzerkand.
We do not have enough power because despute reciving papers to vote, they arrive 4 to 8 weeks after the election date. Authorities know that. Swiss Embassies know that. A swiss consul in Bogota, married ti a colombian woman told me a couple of years ago: " swiss from abroad are only interested in the swiss passport" I clearly contradictrd him. I speak german, french, read about swiss history and current events, travel to visit my family therebonce a year... He also finished with this sentence which let me soeechless: YOU NEED US (The embassy) BUT WE DO NOT NEED YOU (Swiss abroad)
With that Attitude, which power are we having?
Swit

Walti55
Walti55
The following contribution has been automatically translated from DE.
@Susanna

Fortunately, many cantonal authorities no longer have this outdated way of thinking and acting. (lived in Switzerland again from 2015 to 2019) They see themselves & act as service providers in a very efficient and friendly manner. - the contrast is striking in my host country -
But unfortunately, this mindset of the superior civil servant still seems to survive in the FDFA or its veteran embassy staff, although I was also able to meet good and genuine ambassadors for us citizens of the fifth Switzerland.

Dieses veraltete Beamtendenken und Handeln ist zum Glück bei vielen Kantonalen Behörden nicht mehr vorhanden. (lebte von 2015 bis 2019 erneut in der Schweiz) Man versteht sich & handelt als Dienstleister sehr effizient und freundlich.. - der Kontrast zu ist in meinem Gastland frappant -
Aber eben, leider gibt es dieses Gedankengut des überlegen Beamten scheint noch in der EDA oder deren altgedientem Botschaftspersonal zu überleben, wobei ich auch durchaus gute und echte Botschafter für uns Bürger der fünften Schweiz kennen lernen durfte.

Anonymous
Anonymous

One thing I have always admired about Switzerland: once Swiss, always Swiss. I am a foreign resident. So yes...participate in whichever political process.

Michel Baumgartner
Michel Baumgartner
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

Hello.

Do you want to give more political power to the Swiss abroad?
First of all, conditions must be created to allow them to exercise the rights already granted.

"Moreover, voting and electing costs little or nothing: all you have to do is stamp your voting envelope before sending it back."

Almost nothing? If I want to ensure that my ballot is received in time by my canton (Zurich), I have to send it by express mail. The cost of the operation is about 40.00 CHF. And I have no way of knowing if the mail has been delivered on time!

Should we consider the refusal of the majority of the cantons to introduce electronic voting as a political decision, some parties fearing the influence of the votes of residents abroad? In any case it is a denial of democratic rights.

Is there a risk of fraud? To manage our money we all have bank accounts which are securely managed electronically. Why would an electronic voting system be less efficient?

With my compliments

Michel Baumgartner, resident in Thailand

Bonjour.

Donner plus de pouvoir politiques aux Suisses à l'étranger?
Il convient d'abord de créer des conditions leur permettant d'exercer les droits déjà accordés.

" De plus, voter et élire ne coûte rien ou presque: il suffit d’affranchir son enveloppe de vote avant de la renvoyer."

Presque rien? Si je veux m'assurer d'une réception dans les temps par mon canton (Zurich) de mon bulletin de vote, je dois l'envoyer par express,. Coût de l'opération environ 40.- CHF. Et je n'ai aucun moyen de savoir si le courrier a été livré dans les délais!

Doit-on considérer le refus de la majorité des cantons d'introduire le vote électronique comme une décision politique, certains partis craignant l'influence des votes des résidents à l'étranger? En tous les cas il s'agit d'un déni des droits démocratiques.

Y aurait-il des risques de fraudes? Pour gérer notre argent nous avons tous des comptes bancaires dont la gestion électronique est sécurisée. Pourquoi un système de vote électronique serait-il moins performant?

Avec mes compliments

Michel Baumgartner, résident en Thaïlande

BRUN
BRUN
The following contribution has been automatically translated from FR.

I am against it. How can people vote, just because they have Swiss origins, when they have no or few links or never set foot there? They take decisions when they don't have to live with them on a daily basis! I am a Swiss resident in France, 3kms from Geneva where I have worked for 35 years. I vote in Switzerland and in France, but I am fully involved in these two countries, so I find it normal to do my civic duty. Swiss people who have no ties for 15 years and never come to France should not be able to vote.

Je suis contre. Comment des gens peuvent voter, juste parce qu'ils ont des origines suisses, alors qu'ils n'ont pas ou peu de liens ou qu'ils n'y mettent jamais les pieds?? Ils prennent des décisions alors qu'ils ne les subissent pas au quotidien! Je suis suisse résident en France à 3kms de Genève où je travaille depuis 35 ans. Je vote en Suisse et en France, mais je suis pleinement impliquée dans ces 2 pays, donc je trouve normal de faire mon devoir civique. Les suisses n'ayant plus de liens depuis 15 ans et n'y venant jamais ne devraient plus pouvoir voter.

j.zoller@tiscali.it
j.zoller@tiscali.it
The following contribution has been automatically translated from IT.

In my opinion, the same power that Swiss residents have ...

Secondo me lo stesso potere che hanno gli svizzeri residenti ..

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR