Switzerland

Swiss parliamentarians are not giving up

The citizens’ support is also needed to reject the IHR

by Dr med. Sabine Vuilleumier-Koch*

(28 March 2025) Before 19 July 2025, the Federal Council is to make use of its right to “opt out” and thus reject the amendments to the “International Health Regulations” (IHR) (2005) of the “World Health Organization” (WHO). This would enable the Swiss Parliament and the electorate to review the amendments and their impact on national health policy in a democratic process. So far, both the Federal Council and the majority of the National Council and the Council of States have refused to initiate this process. However, courageous politicians and civil rights organisations are not giving up.

“The voluntary nature of the e-ID is being undermined through the back door”

Interview by HOCH2TV with IT entrepreneur Josef Ender*

(28 March 2025) In a referendum in 2021, the Swiss people clearly rejected the e-ID. But apparently, parliament is not interested in that. It seems to have its own agenda and therefore adopted an e-ID law with an overwhelming majority in December 2024. A referendum was launched against it by several committees – which currently still needs significantly more support if it is to be successful. The collection period runs until 19 April 2025.

Switzerland

From bad to worse

In the war of the roses between the USA and the EU, Switzerland is siding with Brussels – and thus moving further away from its neutrality

by Michael Straumann*

(28 March 2025) The last few weeks and months have shown a major rift between Washington and Brussels. Initially, J.D. Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference caused a stir, giving Western Europe’s political elite a lecture. This was followed by the public quarrel between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, which ended with the USA cancelling its further participation in military aid to Ukraine. The European Union’s reaction was unequivocal: it intensified its blind loyalty to Kiev. The EU now stepped in to replace the weapons that the US had previously contributed.

The slow decline of Swiss diplomacy

But all hope is not yet lost

by Guy Mettan,* Geneva

(21 March 2025) Having failed to reach a consensus, Switzerland had to give up organising the humanitarian summit on Palestine. When will it finally understand that international Geneva and Switzerland’s role as a mediator cannot be saved by jumping around shouting “Multilateralism! Multilateralism!” and pulling a few million out of your pocket to save reckless NGOs?

Neutrality or NATO?vv

Founding meeting of the “Movement for Neutrality”

by Daniel Funk, “Transition News”

(21 March 2025) The “Movement for Neutrality” was founded on 9 March. The new organisation’s first goal is to help the cross-party neutrality initiative to succeed in getting neutrality enshrined in the Federal Constitution.

Change of heart in Bern?

The Federal Council welcomes the US government’s peace efforts in Ukraine. Is this the start of a U-turn in Swiss foreign policy?

by Michael Straumann*

(7 March 2025) US Vice President J.D. Vance’s speech at the Munich Security Conference caused a stir. He sharply criticised politicians in EU countries for no longer respecting the democratic will of their own people and restricting freedom of expression. Vance received widespread support for this in social media. By contrast, the politicians of the old parties in Europe, especially in Germany, were not impressed.