Switzerland

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).

Introducing the “Leonhard Circle”

“Only where political power is decentralised, democratically limited, and manageable can the free participation of individuals be guaranteed.”

(21 November 2025) (CH-S) It is not only the founding of the “Freedom of Speech Alliance” (www.buendnisredefreiheit.ch) for Switzerland and Germany that has attracted attention recently. In Zurich, another high-profile association has presented itself to the public, which also represents the concerns of citizens against increasingly intrusive statehood:

Ueli Maurer (former Federal Councillor, SVP), Thilo Sarrazin (former Finance Senator of Berlin, ex-SPD) and Hans Georg Maassen (former German President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution) presented the “Leonhard Circle” to a wider public on 27 October.1 This is an urgently needed step against the creeping decline of civic spirit, the rule of law, and the desire for peace beyond Switzerland’s borders.

Wind farms threaten Swiss forests and direct democracy

“Long-term destruction of forests, unresolved disposal issues”

by Elias Vogt*

(14 November 2025) In around two years, the Swiss population will vote on two groundbreaking proposals: the Forest Protection Initiative and the Community Protection Initiative. These proposals concern the planned construction of over 1,000 large wind turbines in the Swiss countryside.

Journey for peace: Dialogue with Russia instead of confrontation

(14 November 2025) (CH-S) The “Swiss Standpoint” supports the cause of a journey for peace. Only when dialogue with others is sought is there a chance for genuine understanding. Anyone who is interested in the offer below can contact the organiser directly.

Switzerland plans its Ministry of Truth

A new law aims to bring order to digital debate – just like the EU: Controlling free thought instead of citizens who think: Goodbye democracy!

by Hanspeter Gautschin*

(14 November 2025) (CH-S) The Federal Council wants to “strengthen” the “rights” of users in the digital space and “oblige” very large communication platforms and search engines to “be more fair and transparent”. This is to be enforced by federal law. The consultation period runs until 16 February 2026.1

The model for this is the European Union’s “Digital Services Act”. This top-down law now promises authoritarian conditions for Switzerland as well. Hanspeter Gautschin highlights the parallels on “insideparadeplatz.ch”.

“The Swiss-EU package poses a massive threat to Swiss agriculture”

by the editorial team of “Swiss Standpoint”

(7 November 2025) (CH-S) After thoroughly studying the approximately 2,000-page agreement package between Switzerland and the European Union (EU), the “Interessengemeinschaft (IG) BauernUnternehmen”* (Farmers’ Business Interest Group) has concluded that it poses a massive threat to Swiss agriculture. It therefore clearly rejects this “administrative monster”.

Although no date has yet been set for the referendum, opinions are being formed at all levels in Switzerland. A critical examination of the agreement package is urgently needed, as it binds Swiss legislation to the EU to such an extent that its adoption would mean a significant loss of sovereignty for our country and its citizens.