Epidemic law in sight: Mass-Voll plans a referendum against the new Lex Corona

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Consultations on the new Epidemics Act are still ongoing. But the Corona-sceptic movement Mass-Voll is already announcing a referendum against it. “The new epidemic law threatens a frontal attack on fundamental rights,” warns the movement on X and makes it clear: “Of course Mass-Voll will hold the referendum against the epidemic law!”

This is only consistent, as the organization has co-launched the referendum against the Covid law three times. Even though the opponents of the measures lost three times at the ballot box, it is only logical that they now attack the Lex Corona for the fourth time. The experiences and approaches to solving the coronavirus pandemic are now included in the new Epidemics Law.

A long-term legal basis must now be laid for the measures quickly taken at the time. The currently applicable Epidemics Act has proven to be an “effective instrument” during the corona pandemic, said then Minister of Health Alain Berset (51) at the opening of the consultation last November. Nevertheless, “certain specific adjustments” are needed to close the loopholes in the legislation. What worked during the Covid-19 crisis needs to be strengthened.

For example, the federal government should be given additional powers in the field of surveillance and epidemiological research. He should also have more to say about national measures such as prevention and vaccination. The three-stage escalation model with normal, special and extraordinary situations will also be adjusted and specified.

A thorn in the side of opponents of the measures are the instruments that the federal government could continue to use: from certificates regulating access to restaurants or events, to mandatory face mask requirements, home office requirements or restrictions on gatherings. The Federal Council does not want to expand the possibility of mandatory vaccinations.

Baume-Schneider brings a message

It is quite possible that organizations critical of corona and vaccination will also jump on the referendum bandwagon. But critics of the measures will have to be patient until that happens.

The consultation ends on March 22, and after that it will probably take several months before the new Minister of Health Elisabeth Baume-Schneider (60) issues a final message. The proposal is unlikely to go unchallenged in Parliament – ​​at least in terms of the details – so back and forth is to be expected here too. A referendum-ready template will not be available until next year at the earliest.

If opponents of the measure manage to reach the threshold of 50,000 signatures, the electorate will not be able to vote on it until the end of 2025 or 2026 at the earliest.

The Corona skeptics would no longer face Berset, who emerged as the winner three times, but federal councilor Baume-Schneider in the voting battle. However, this is unlikely to increase the referendum leaders’ chances of success.

Source:Blick