Switzerland

More democracy for the European Union!

A sober look at the EU treaties

by Thomas Scherr*

(19 December 2025) The Swiss debate on the European Union is characterised by vague and lukewarm reporting. On 13 June 2025, after weeks of secrecy, the treaties with the European Union were presented for consultation, together with a 931-page “explanatory report.” After the announcement, one would have expected a lively, argumentative debate in the media.

Instead, there is a trickle of reports, and when they do appear, they are “factual”, “positive,” and “neutral”, as if the aim were to sound out positions on some trivial issue. Basically, the reporting could come directly from Brussels, so dovish and friendly is the way our mainstream media presents the matter.

Federal Bern bows to Brussels officials

New law to allow platforms to be blocked

by Michael Straumann*

(12 December 2025) Around half of the Swiss population has turned its back on traditional media. This is shown by the new Quality of Media Yearbook published by the University of Zurich: 46 per cent are now considered “news deprived” — people who hardly ever consume news and, if they do, only via social media.1 This is a historic high.

Switzerland–EU

Who do the cantonal representatives actually represent?

by Lukas Leuzinger*

(12 December 2025) When Switzerland debated its first federal constitution in 1848, centralists and federalists were at loggerheads: the former wanted to completely break the power of the cantons, while the latter wanted to maintain the existing loose confederation of states based on the principle of “one canton, one vote”. In the end, a compromise was reached: a parliament with two chambers.

Switzerland–EU

Zurich Farmers’ Association rejects draft of Switzerland-EU deal and calls for revision

by Ferdi Hodel, Managing Director of ZBV

(5 December 2025) The associations had until 31 October 2025 to submit their comments on the “Stabilisation and Further Development of Switzerland–EU Relations” package to the federal government. The board of the “Zurich Farmers Association” (ZBV) has also drafted a statement:

Switzerland–EU

The EU asset register

Brussels plans total surveillance dictatorship

by Ulrich Schlüer*

(28 novembre 2025) For the Swiss Federal Council, the register decided upon by the EU to record all assets of EU residents and EU companies is a taboo subject that is strictly banned from all discussions. But the decision to introduce a comprehensive asset register has been passed in the EU. Its introduction will begin next year, i.e. in 2026.

Switzerland–EU

Federal Council conceals power of EU court

If framework deal goes ahead, Brussels will have the final say – but Bern is glossing over this sensitive fact in its consultation process. Deceiving the people?

by Carl Baudenbacher*

(21 November 2025) On 20 December 2024, the Swiss Federal Council approved a package of agreements with the European Union (EU) without fully knowing their content. However, the institutional features were clear.

The agreements provide for the dynamic adoption of EU law by Switzerland, de facto surveillance of Switzerland by the European Commission and the settlement of disputes by a pro forma arbitration tribunal under the supervision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).