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.

• Federal Council: vote and decisions 2026

  On September 27, 2026, voters will vote on neutrality and food. Also on the agenda: integration, rents, cybersecurity and agreements with the EU.

• SECO: US tariffs up to 12,5% and resignations

  US tariffs of up to 12.5% on Swiss imports; Helene Budliger Artieda will leave SECO at the end of March 2027.

• United right in Ticino: cantonal elections 2027

  In Ticino, the two right-wing factions will run together in the cantonal elections scheduled for April 2027, after a rift that has been ongoing for months.

• VAT at 0,2% and a 24-billion defense fund: the compromise for the States

  With 25 votes against 17, the Council of States approves +0.2 percentage points VAT for 18 years, a defense fund of up to 24 billion and borrowing of up to 12 billion. Reduction of F-35s to ~30 and additional credit of 394 million.

• More federal funds for integration 2028-2032

  The Federal Council allocates 334.5 million for integration in Switzerland for the period 2028-2032, with 66.9 million annually for cantonal and national programmes.

• Federal funding for cantonal universities and universities of applied sciences

  The Federal Council approved on 25 September 2026 the report on fair funding: 20% maximum for cantonal universities, 30% maximum for sup from 1 January 2027.

• Phytosanitary approval: backlog cleared by 2032

  Federal Council sets 2032 to process 525 pending applications; fees increasing from 2028 to cover 50% of costs.

• Switzerland: new standalone cybersecurity law LCib

  The Federal Council instructs DDPS to draft the LCib by June 2027, based on the European Cyber Resilience Act for digital products and data.

• Vote Switzerland: neutrality and nutrition

  On September 27, 2026, Switzerland votes on neutrality and nutrition. The source invites you to participate in the 20-minute survey and Tamedia.

• No naturalization after 5 years

  Swiss Parliament rejects citizenship initiative after 5 years of legal residence.

• Review of the epidemic law: new rules and compensation

  Parliament adopts the partial revision of the Epidemics Act introducing clear criteria for financial support and health protection.

• The Federal Council improves the application of ISOs

  Approve the changes to OISOS and OPT by the Federal Council to simplify and speed up building projects in Switzerland from 1 November 2026.

• Successful referendum: 125,000 signatures against new plants

  The committee collected over 125,000 signatures in 3 months. The vote is scheduled for February 28, 2027.

• Vote 27 September: 63% no to neutrality

  Gfs.bern survey: over 60% of voters intend to reject initiatives on neutrality and food security as of 27 September.

• Insurers: no recourse to the entire hospital list

  The Federal Administrative Court dismissed the appeal of prio.swiss against the hospital list of the Canton of Switzerland. Only targeted appeals are possible.

• Federal Council: 40 million francs for the IMF

  The Federal Council has approved a contribution of CHF 40 million for the SECO-IMF partnership in the period 2026-2030.

• Votes 27 September: heavy defeat for neutrality

  According to the gfs.bern poll for the SSR, 63% of the electorate plan to reject the initiative on neutrality at the polls on 27 September 2026.

• National Council approves agreement with Mercosur

  Green light from the National Council to the commercial agreement with Mercosur. 517 million for agriculture and 25 million against deforestation.

• Resignation Secretary of State SECO Helene Budliger Artieda

  Secretary of State Helene Budliger Artieda has resigned effective late March 2027 after nearly five years at the helm of SECO.

• Spuhler (Stadler Rail): I am undecided on bilateral III

  The president of Stadler Rail expresses doubts about the new package of agreements with the EU, balancing economic advantages and institutional criticalities.

• OECD Report on Switzerland: Stability and Economic Reforms

  The OECD released the report on Switzerland appreciating economic resilience but calling for reforms in health, welfare and administration by the end of 2027.

• The National Team's yes to the electronic health record

  The electronic health record, the Mercosur agreement and the Swiss agriculture funds have been approved in Parliament.

• Federal Council decisions: news and votes 2026

  The latest news and projects of the Federal Council: from women in voluntary service to climate protection and popular voting.

• F-35, the SP calls for a Parliamentary Committee of Inquiry

  The Socialist Party launches the process for an ICC on the purchase of F-35 fighters, aiming to clarify costs, procedures and transparency towards Parliament.