Zurich Zurich does not have to push ahead with a cantonal E-ID
The Zurich government does not have to draw up a legal proposal for a cantonal E-ID. On Monday, the cantonal parliament wrote off a motion by the FDP, SVP, GLP and the Center Party as being completed. It consistently agreed with the government that the cantonal scope for regulating and issuing an e-ID was "very limited".
30.09.2024, 12:17
SDA
In addition, the proposed federal regulation would one day take precedence over cantonal law, was the tenor. The introduction of the state E-ID is not expected until early 2026 at the earliest.
The authors of the motion wanted to instruct the cantonal government to draw up a legal basis for a cantonal e-ID. The corona crisis has clearly shown that Switzerland is a digitally developing country, they wrote in the motion. The potential of digital services is huge.
Health Director Natalie Rickli (SVP) emphasized the importance of a "secure and reliable e-ID" and assured that the government was aware of the urgency and relevance of this issue.
However, in terms of jurisdiction, it is not the canton but the federal government that is responsible for this. Rickli explained that the legal basis was already well advanced and on the right track. The National Council and Council of States approved the corresponding bills in the fall session.
Unanimity in the Council
On the one hand, the government received support from the preliminary advisory committee, which also wanted to write off the motion as closed. On the other hand, it also received support from the entire Council.
Gabriel Mäder (GLP/Adliswil) said that it had always been clear to his parliamentary group that a nationwide e-ID was preferable to a cantonal solution. The introduction aimed for at federal level at the beginning of 2026 was well on track.
The aim of the motion was to advance digitalization, said Roman Schmid (SVP/Opfikon). The SVP parliamentary group agrees with the government that the e-ID should work for everyone and be developed and issued centrally. "We are fundamentally curious as to whether the introduction date will actually become reality," said Schmid.
The Greens also recognized the canton's "very limited room for manoeuvre", as Benjamin Krähenmann (Greens/Zurich) said. In addition, the canton of Zurich is well prepared for the future e-ID. The key point is that all Swiss citizens and all foreign nationals living in Switzerland are entitled to a free basic e-ID.
Nicola Yuste (SP/Zurich) also emphasized that the federal parliament had set the course for a national e-ID. The chances of an introduction in 2026 were good and the motion could be written off "with a clear conscience".
