- Switzerland’s digital sovereignty is already a reality and enables independence from large cloud and software providers.
- A domestic, open source-focused digital ecosystem exists as an export commodity and promotes easy access in public procurement.
- The federal government should organize procurement processes in such a way that the administration, public-sector partners and the private sector benefit from the competitive advantage.
Interpellation Imark (25.3586): Switzerland’s digital sovereignty is a reality!
Submitted text
- Is the Federal Council aware that digital sovereignty within Switzerland (independence from large cloud and software providers) is already a reality today?
- Is the Federal Council aware that a Swiss digital ecosystem already exists today, which, in addition to the latest technologies, ensures digital sovereignty, not only for Switzerland, but also as an export good for other countries, without being linked to a so-called supplier obligation and focusing on open source, which in turn should ensure easy access for public procurement?
- How does the Confederation take into account/strengthen the advantages of Switzerland’s existing digital sovereignty in the context of procurement processes so that the administration, public-sector partners and ultimately the wider economy can benefit from this sustainable competitive advantage?
Justification
Digital sovereignty is in Switzerland’s greatest interest. It is essential for maintaining security, economic strength and democratic control in the digital age. In summary, digital sovereignty offers Switzerland the following advantages:
- Protection of national security
- Economic independence
- Data protection and privacy
- Political and regulatory autonomy
- Crisis resilience and infrastructure security
Various motions were submitted in Bern that addressed Switzerland’s digital sovereignty, also in light of the fact that the EU is working at full speed on its own solutions by regulating and promoting infrastructure. In this regard, the question was even raised as to what extent Switzerland can/should participate in EU programs. However, the fact that there are already existing solutions in Switzerland that safeguard the country’s digital sovereignty has always gone unmentioned.