Topic

Agreements and politics

Bilateral treaties, the tax agreement, federal votes and reforms affecting cross-border workers.

All articles

333 articles on agreements and politics, newest first.

• Government says no to food initiative

  The Federal Council rejects the popular initiative on food, arguing that the demands made are excessive and unfeasible.

• VAT increase for safety: proposed increase of 0.5 percentage points

  The Swiss Government is proposing an increase in VAT by 0.5 percentage points to finance arms purchases.

• Civic service initiative, appeals are inadmissible

  The Federal Court has ruled that appeals filed by supporters of the 'For a Switzerland that engages' initiative (Civic Service Initiative) are inadmissible.

• Government: 0.5 percentage point increase over 12 years

  The VAT increase of 0.5 percentage points will be applied from 2028 and for a period of 12 years.

• Towards an increase in VAT for defence

  The Government maintains the proposal of an increase of 0.5 percentage points for a period of 12 years.

• Federal Council: Switzerland-EU agreements not in the referendum

  The Federal Council explained that the conditions required by the Commission for the political institutions of the States were not met.

• Security at a high price: proposed VAT increase

  The Federal Council proposes an increase in VAT of 0.5 percentage points for 12 years to strengthen Switzerland's defence capability.

• Federal Council rejects Financial Square Initiative

  The Federal Council recommends that Parliament reject without counter-proposal the initiative on the Swiss financial centre.

• 30 km/h zones in cities, Federal Council intervenes

  The Federal Council has decided to amend the Traffic Signs Ordinance to introduce speed limits of 30 km/h in cities.

• Bilateral III: no specific protections for trade unionists

  The Economic and Taxation Commission of the Council of States excludes the rule that would have strengthened protections for union representatives in companies.

• Bilateral III, one of the accompanying measures falters

  The Economic and Tax Commission of the Council of States rejected measure 14, which strengthened the protection against dismissal of staff and trade union representatives active in companies.

• Maintaining Neutrality

  The Federal Council wants to maintain the current room for manoeuvre on neutrality. The popular initiative on neutrality will be voted on September 27.

• Neutrality: Federal Council denies constitutional tightening

  The federal government is calling for the neutrality initiative to be rejected, warning that a rigid definition would limit Switzerland's room for manoeuvre.

• Neutrality: Current practice is in Switzerland's interest

  The Federal Council calls for the rejection of the neutrality initiative in the vote on 27 September.

• Job advertisements in Switzerland: what to change?

  The Swiss tax system has three levels: direct federal tax (DFI) + cantonal + municipal. Each canton has its own tax law and multiplier; municipalities apply a multiplier on the cantonal.

• Swiss accreditation, a step forward for the economic centre

  The Swiss Accreditation Service (SAS) will become an integral part of the Directorate for the Promotion of the Economic Square from 1 July 2026.

• Fight against undeclared work: 14,450 company controls in 2025

  SECO has published the report on the fight against undeclared work in Switzerland for 2025.

• Fight against undeclared work: consultation on the new law kicks off

  The Federal Council proposes amendments to the law against undeclared work to strengthen controls and cooperation between authorities by 16 October 2026.

• US Duties: Switzerland Confirms Intent

  The Federal Council shall abide by the agreements defined in the Joint Statement of Intent of 14 November 2025, signed between Switzerland and the United States.

• United States: new tariffs on Switzerland, SECO and economic policies

  SECO announced that the United States has adopted new tariff measures based on the investigation into trade in goods produced using forced labor.

• The audiovisual industry is under pressure and appeals to politics

  The representatives of the Swiss audiovisual sector defended their priorities before the political leaders gathered at the Locarno Film Festival.

• Federal votes Switzerland: how cantonal referendums work

  Learn about the rules for federal voting, tax rates, and the 2024 border agreement for cross-border workers.

• Working for the public good: “I trust institutions”

  The President of the State Council Marina Carobbio Guscetti drew attention to the value of institutions during the opening ceremony of the Locarno Film Festival.

• SNL appeal on Lake Maggiore: risks for the territory

  SNL's appeal opens a new phase of confrontation on the cantonal financing of navigation on the Verbano, with possible repercussions on workers and the local economy.