A scandal involving the collection of signatures for Swiss initiatives has erupted, revealing aggressive and potentially fraudulent practices by several West Swiss firms.

Elias Vogt, a vocal opponent of wind farms, shared his experience of being pressured by these companies to purchase signatures he never requested.

Some firms even attempted to sell him signatures his own committee had collected.

The Swiss Federal Chancellery has announced immediate measures in response to these allegations, emphasizing the threat to political rights and the integrity of the signature collection process.

The scandal has led to increased public skepticism, making it harder for legitimate collectors to gather signatures on the streets.

Federal Chancellor Viktor Rossi has initiated stricter monitoring and verification processes to ensure the authenticity of collected signatures and prevent manipulation.

This move aims to safeguard the democratic process while maintaining the accessibility of political participation for citizens.