In a referendum on Sunday (May 15), Swiss voters will decide whether to make worldwide video streaming firms help Swiss filmmakers and whether to increase funding for Europe's Frontex border security agency. Voters will decide whether overseas streaming firms must contribute 4% of their earnings in local film creation, as domestic broadcasters do currently, in a binding referendum dubbed "Lex Netflix." Furthermore, 30 percent of the material on streaming platforms must be films or series produced in Europe.

        Opponents argue that the bill, which has the support of the government and parliament, would decrease the availability of global material and force streaming providers to raise their costs. "We have the utmost respect for the Swiss people's democratic decision-making, and we will await the referendum's conclusion," a Netflix spokeswoman said, noting that the firm was not engaged in the referendum request.

        The Swiss government forecasts that if voters agree to increase the Swiss commitment of money and manpower to extend Frontex, the Swiss will spend 61 million Swiss francs (US$61.5 million) per year by 2027, up from 24 million in 2021. However, if opponents succeed in their claims that Frontex is violating human rights in its handling of migrants, there might be more than just financial ramifications.

        If the bill fails, Switzerland may be forced to leave the Schengen passport-free zone and the Dublin system of organizing refugee claims. "I would be very disappointed if Switzerland decided to quit Schengen. Schengen membership, on the other hand, is based on an international agreement. And there must be repercussions if Switzerland refuses to comply with its commitments under the accord "Ylva Johansson, EU Commissioner for Home Affairs, said the Tages-Anzeiger newspaper.

        A gfs.bern survey for SRF found that 69 percent of people support funding Frontex, while 25% oppose it. The film law was expected to have 56% approval and 41% opposition. The margin of error for the survey of 6,315 eligible voters taken in late April was 2.8 percentage points.

        Under the Swiss form of direct democracy, voters will also determine whether to make it simpler to collect organs for transplants, which is also anticipated to pass.