Cash will be protected

Parliament discussed the importance of cash yesterday. The debate was in response to an initiative which would put the right to use cash in the constitution.

The federal council says it broadly supports the proposal, but believes some of the wording is too imprecise – so parliament is discussing a counter-proposal.

Many parliamentarians did agree with the basic principle of keeping cash – the threat of hacking, power outages and surveillance works against digital payments. 

Parliament has agreed, by an overwhelming majority, that cash should be protected – but it stopped short of forcing businesses to accept cash. Shops will be able to be cashless if they choose. 

The counter proposal will become law if the initiative fails at the ballot box.

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