Switzerland is ready to negotiate rapprochement with the EU

Is a warming of relations coming? Switzerland accepted a negotiating mandate for rapprochement with the European Union on Friday, with the country’s leading party condemning “total subordination to the EU” and unions condemning a “serious deterioration in wage protection.” Negotiations will begin “probably in March” when the European Commission itself receives the green light from the European Council, said federal adviser responsible for foreign affairs Ignazio Cassis.

He presented the final mandate on the basis of which negotiations with the European Commission will take place at a press briefing. Since the end of 2023, the Federal Council has carried out extensive consultations to gather the views of stakeholders in the Swiss economy, as well as the parliament and the cantons (federal states). With broad support, he clarified the negotiating framework for the various packages on which he is willing to discuss convergence: the electricity market, land transport, agricultural products, immigration, wage protection, institutional elements and a free trade agreement.

The relationship between Switzerland and its first economic partner is complex. They are currently regulated by numerous bilateral agreements. After years of negotiations, Bern simply left the negotiating table in 2021, believing that a global agreement would fail to convince Switzerland. The brutal method caused a chilling chill in relations between the EU and the Alpine country, but both sides resumed negotiations in mid-2022.

“Very democratic process”

But the new project does not suit either the Democratic Union of the Centre, a radical right-wing party that has consolidated its position as Switzerland’s leading party following parliamentary elections in October, or trade unions concerned about wage protection. On the other hand, other parties and employers, as well as the cantons, are more positive.

In parallel with negotiations with the European Commission, the administration will discuss immigration, electricity, wage protection and ground transportation issues with interested partners to identify domestic support measures for a possible agreement.

Then the decision will have to be made by parliament and, most likely, the people. According to Ignazio Cassis, “we are in a very democratic process and this process must be carried through to the end,” even if there is a risk of rejection. “It is difficult, after 15 years of discussions, to keep parliament and the people from finally expressing their opinion.” But he remains extremely cautious about the timetable, even if he has “hopes” to complete negotiations by the end of the year, confirming he wants to go “as fast as possible and as slow as necessary.”