Feb 6 Reuters Swiss citizens will get the chance to try to ensure their economy never becomes cashless, a pressure group said, after collecting enough signatures by Monday to trigger a popular vote on the issue.

The FBS Free Switzerland Movement says cash is playing a shrinking role in many economies, as electronic payments become the default for transactions in increasingly digitised societies, making it easier for the state to monitor its citizens39; actions.

It wants a clause added to Switzerland39;s currency law, which governs how the central bank and government manage the money supply, stipulating that a sufficient quantity of banknotes or coins must always remain in circulation.

There is no evidence of moves towards a cashless society by Swiss authorities.

FBS said it had garnered over 111,000 signatures in support of the measure, above the 100,000 needed to trigger a popular vote. Under Switzerland39;s system of direct democracy, the proposal would become law if approved by voters, though government and parliament would decide how that law was implemented.

It is clear that … getting rid of cash not only touches on issues of transparency, simplicity or security … but also carries a huge danger of totalitarian surveillance, FBS president Richard Koller said on the group39;s website.

He also views Switzerland as a European standardbearer for the defence of cash, as pushing through such guarantees in the European Union would entail the almost impossible…