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Agreements and politics

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

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333 articles on agreements and politics, newest first.

• 32nd OSCE Forum in Prague: focus on security and technology

  The 32nd OSCE Economic and Environmental Forum was inaugurated in Prague under the leadership of the 2026 Swiss Presidency.

• Food waste in Switzerland: national week kicks off

  A week of initiatives throughout Switzerland to reduce food waste is underway: the recovery of millions of meals is up for grabs.

• New US Tariffs and SECO Agreements for Swiss Companies

  The United States introduces additional duties of up to 12.5% on Swiss goods. SECO monitors the impacts and evolution of production chains.

• F-35A: Fixed Price Doubts and Parliamentary Reactions

  The report on the lack of a fixed price for the F-35A shocks Parliament. Green toward the ICC, while the center-right brakes.

• Tag der Wirtschaft: Guy Parmelin's speech in Lucerne

  Federal Councillor Guy Parmelin speaks at the Tag der Wirtschaft in Lucerne, taking stock of Switzerland's economic resilience and free trade agreements.

• Broadband in peripheral regions: 365 million from Bern

  The Ticino cantonal initiative becomes a federal bill for ultra-broadband throughout the national territory.

• Economiesuisse: Silvan Wildhaber is the new president

  Passage of presidency to Economiesuisse: Silvan Wildhaber succeeds Christoph Mäder with full support for bilateral agreements III.

• EU Commission approves Switzerland-EU agreements: a step forward

  The Foreign Affairs Committee of the European Parliament approved the package of bilateral agreements with Switzerland by a large majority. Vote in plenary not yet set.

• 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.

• Canton and Municipalities discuss tax and ARP reform

  Bellinzona, Cantone-Comuni dialogue on tax, Ticino 2020 and ARP reform. At center: abolition of federal rental value and secondary residence tax.

• 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.

• F-35A: no fixed price agreed

  CoG investigation: no fixed price in the contract. Viola Amherd informed the government 7-8 months late. Serious gaps in federal transparency.

• 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.

• Open business Valais: guide to the trade register

  Legal form, registration in the commercial register, taxation at 3 levels (federal, cantonal, municipal) and insurance obligations: the complete procedure to start a business in the canton of Valais.

• OSCE Bern Conference: Reflections on European Security

  The Swiss Chairmanship of the OSCE organized a conference in Bern to discuss the origins of the CSCE and the importance of its founding principles for European security.

• OSCE conference in Bern: from Geneva to Helsinki

  Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis spoke in Bern on 3 September 2026 about the capacity for diplomatic cooperation despite disagreements.

• 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.