On Sunday, Swiss voters were asked to vote in three referendums on plans to amend organ donation restrictions, increase Frontex budget, and enact legislation requiring streaming services to donate a portion of their profits in the Swiss film industry.
A majority of voters supported all three motions, according to exit polls from state broadcaster SRF. The film law, colloquially known as the “Netflix law,” would oblige streaming providers to contribute to Swiss filmmaking in the same way as domestic television broadcasters do.
Switzerland’s direct democracy system calls on voters four times a year to vote in referenda on specific topics based on public demand.
What exactly is the ‘Netflix law’?
A law passed in 2007 required television broadcasters to invest 4% of their revenue in the Swiss film industry.
The referendum on the topic on Sunday was to ratify an amendment to that statute that was introduced in October.
It is an attempt to keep up with developments in the consumption of audio visual material. In Switzerland alone, streaming platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ generate annual revenues in the hundreds of millions of euros. Each year, increased contributions from platforms increase funding for Swiss cinema by 18 million Swiss francs (€17.2 million, $17.9 million). The amendment also requires platforms to ensure that at least 30% of the material provided is from Europe.
Swiss voters also supported the idea to raise Frontex financing in order to prevent exclusion from the EU-led border protection system.
While Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it is a member of the Schengen zone, which has eliminated most border controls. However, the administration warned that the country will need to provide more money and personnel to the agency in order to maintain its services.
The ultimate measure, which was approved by voters, will make organ donation an opt-out issue. This means that, unless they expressly wish otherwise, everyone is a potential source of organ donation when they die.
