Federal Council receives broad approval for negotiations with the EU
Published: Friday, Feb 16th 2024, 06:41
Back to Live Feed
After around two months of consultation, the Federal Council has received a great deal of support for entering into negotiations with the EU. Improvements are being called for in terms of wage protection, electricity agreements, rail transport and social systems. The SVP positions itself as the main opponent of negotiations.
The Conference of Cantonal Governments (KDK), the Foreign Affairs Committees of the National Council (APK-N) and the Council of States (APK-S), the Economic Committee of the National Council (WAK-N), business associations, social partners, the Association of Cities and Towns and most political parties support the Federal Council's plan to negotiate an agreement with the EU.
A comprehensive negotiation package with agreements in several areas is planned. While some are in favor of speedy negotiations, others are calling for improvements.
Improvements demanded for expenses
The various interest groups agree that the principle of "equal pay for equal work in the same place" should apply in the area of wage protection. For the trade unions in particular, but also for the Swiss Employers' Association and the parliamentary committees, additional safeguards are needed in the area of expenses regulations.
The expenses of posted workers must be in line with Swiss standards, otherwise there is a risk of wage dumping. The Swiss Federation of Trade Unions is also demanding that the pre-registration period for foreign tradespeople should not be shortened.
Criticism of too much liberalization
The negotiation package also includes an electricity agreement with the EU, which is intended to ensure grid stability and security of supply. During the consultation, various parties raised concerns that the electricity market as a whole could be liberalized.
The social partners and parliamentary committees, for example, are calling for households and SMEs to be able to remain in the basic supply even in the event of market liberalization. The Association of Swiss Electricity Companies, on the other hand, pointed out that regulatory intervention should be carried out with great restraint.
The KDK believes that the free movement of persons must not lead to abuse of the Swiss social system. Unlawful or undesirable receipt of social benefits must be prevented, the APK-S demanded.
There is also criticism of the overland transport agreement in the rail sector. The interval timetable and tariff integration in rail transport must be maintained, the KDK stated. The trade union federation also fears a reduction in public services.
The trade associations emphasize the importance of unhindered access to the EU internal market. This requires the mutual recognition of conformity assessments so that Swiss products can be exported to the EU without hindrance. Due to the shortage of skilled workers in certain sectors, the associations emphasize the need to maintain the free movement of persons.
SVP sees a threat to welfare
The SVP, on the other hand, describes the negotiations as a "treaty of subjugation". With the envisaged agreement, Switzerland would "automatically" have to adopt EU law and accept foreign judges with the European Court of Justice. The party executive sees Switzerland's welfare at risk.
The Federal Council is expected to adopt the definitive negotiating mandate in March. On the EU side, the member states still have to approve the mandate.
As soon as negotiations begin, talks will be launched on Switzerland's participation in the EU's Horizon research program. This is welcomed by both the KDK and the business associations.
On the EU side, the Commission will be responsible for the negotiations with the Federal Council. It has already announced that it would like to reach a conclusion before the end of the legislative period. The legislature lasts until fall 2024.
©Keystone/SDA
English 
German 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic