EU negotiating mandate receives broad support in survey
Published: Monday, Dec 18th 2023, 09:41
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Public support for a negotiating mandate between Switzerland and the European Union (EU) has increased, according to a survey. Over two thirds of respondents were in favor of the bilateral approach. However, a majority do not see Switzerland as an equal partner.
The survey published on Monday was conducted after the national elections and therefore before the presentation of the Swiss negotiating mandate with the EU last Friday by the opinion research institute JRC Bern among around 1,000 voters. It was commissioned by Economiesuisse, the Swiss Employers' Association, Interpharma, the Swiss Bankers Association and Swissmem.
Consent for negotiations
According to the survey, 68 percent of Swiss voters are in favor of a negotiating mandate based on the exploratory talks for the Bilateral Agreements III. A clear majority of 71 percent would agree with the structure of these Bilateral Agreements III.
According to the survey, the most important argument in favor of the new bilateral agreements is the desire for a secure and stable relationship with the EU. There was almost unanimous support for Switzerland's reinclusion in the EU framework programs for research and innovation.
Adjustments to the accompanying measures while maintaining the current wage protection, updating the regulation of product regulations, an electricity agreement with the EU and the possibility of dynamic adoption of legislation met with approval.
Fears
However, 48% of respondents believe that the agreement would give EU citizens the right to Swiss social welfare much more quickly and 44% see only advantages for the EU in the free movement of persons.
The creation of a dispute resolution mechanism with an equal arbitration tribunal was clearly supported. The partial adoption of the so-called Citizens' Rights Directive, on the other hand, polarized opinion. However, a narrow majority of 53% would be more likely to agree with this.
In the survey, the majority of voters expressed the opinion that this is not a treaty between equal partners, but that the EU is imposing its rules on Switzerland (57 percent) and around half have the impression that Switzerland is making too many compromises (52 percent).
©Keystone/SDA
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