Topic

Agreements and politics

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

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192 articles on agreements and politics, newest first.

• Federal Council reorganises extra-parliamentary committees

  The Federal Council adopts the message on the reorganization of extra-parliamentary committees: 3 dissolved, 7 merged into 2 structures; savings ~ CHF 100,000 per year from 2028.

• Federal Council: RUAG MRO becomes a public company

  The Federal Council adopts the message to transform RUAG MRO from a private company to a public company by special law. More transparent governance and strengthened federal control.

• Federal Council: new Swiss army structure

  The Federal Council launches consultation on changes to military law: new conduct structure, overseas services for militia servicemen, protection from espionage.

• Compulsory Information Day for Swiss Women

  The Federal Council approves the message for a mandatory information day on the army and civil protection. Popular vote in 2028, implementation early 2030.

• Climate Agreement and Trade: Consultation concluded

  Federal Council concludes accts consultation: 42 in favour out of 45. Agreement on climate, trade and sustainability between Switzerland, Costa Rica, Iceland and New Zealand.

• F-35, Bern and USA: no fixed price agreed

  Report of the Supervisory Commission denies Amherd: there was no agreement on a fixed price with the US. Additional credit of CHF 394 million and reduction to 30 fighters.

• Neutrality: Switzerland at the polls for the initiative

  Oscar Freysinger calls for a vote in favour of the Neutrality Initiative. Over 300 participants at the Swiss Pro Festival in Lugano.

• US tariffs on Switzerland: 12.5% and optimized agreement July-August 2026

  On 24 July 2026, the US will impose tariffs of up to 12.5% on Swiss imports. Negotiations on the free trade agreement concluded on 20 August: impact on exports and competitiveness.

• Neutrality: on September 27 we choose Switzerland

  The September 27 vote on Swiss neutrality: what it means and what the implications are for the country's future.

• Pacifism vs neutrality: Buzzi's no to the UDC

  Matteo Buzzi, a Verdi MP, criticises the UDC initiative on armed neutrality. It proposes nonviolent civil defense instead of rearmament.

• Half a billion to the farmers to save the agreement with Mercosur

  The Foreign Policy Commission of the Council of States proposes 517 million francs for Swiss peasants.

• Bilateral III: Commission says yes to agreements

  The CPE-S gave a favourable opinion to Bilateral Agreements III with 9 votes in favour. The debate will reach the Council of States at the end of the month.

• SSR Survey on Federal Voting on September 27

  The SRG launched a new survey on the initiatives on the ballot on 27 September. Online participation open until 23.00 next Wednesday.

• Bilateral III: Cantonal governments say yes

  The Conference of Governments of Western Switzerland meeting in Fribourg supports the package of agreements with the EU, underlining the importance for stable access to the continental market

• Nurseries: Parliament requests blacklist for staff

  Cross-cutting motion to the Federal Council to prevent childcare abuse. The government stalls and promises a report by the end of 2027.

• Consultation opened by the Federal Department

  The Federal Council has proposed a series of legislative adjustments for the 2030+ agricultural policy.

• Federal Council appoints Tobias Walser to PF Council

  Tobias Walser, an expert in environmental sciences, was appointed delegate of the university assemblies of the Federal Polytechnics of Zurich and Lausanne.

• The more you work, the more you stay: the Ticino laps reform

  The League calls for a reform of the laps with temporary incentives to work to eliminate the “poverty trap” and combat the impact of the LAMal awards.

• Federal Council launches agricultural consultation 2030

  Bern, 2 September 2026: Federal Council opens PA30+ consultation. Budget CHF 13.8 billion for 2030-2033. Margin of manoeuvre for farmers, sustainability of the supply chain. Public participation until 8 December.

• Court orders correction of initiative bulletin

  Court Orders Correction of Neutrality Initiative Bulletin. The Greens had challenged the publication by appealing to the courts.

• Federal Council adopts message on Agreement with Saudi Arabia

  The Federal Council adopted the message on the Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement with Saudi Arabia, filling the legal vacuum created after the denunciation of the previous agreement.

• Swiss mobile telephony: Comcom excludes new providers

  The Swiss Federal Communications Commission states: Economic and regulatory barriers make it virtually impossible for new competitors to enter the mobile phone market.

• Bank employees: ASIB accepts UBS regulations

  The ASIB supports the CET-S's proposal to regulate UBS and calls for mandatory social plans as the banking sector faces an unprecedented employment crisis.

• Mobile telephony, the auction starts at 855 million

  ComCom launches the auction for mobile frequencies with a base of 855 million. Applications by 3 December, assignment in 2027, concessions from 2029 for 15 years.