Swiss business group opposes federal intervention in language education

The Swiss Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Association (sgv) has expressed support for teaching a second national language at the primary school level but opposes preemptive federal intervention in cantonal autonomy.

Following discussions in several German-speaking cantons regarding the future of French instruction, the Swiss Federal Council initiated a consultation process to examine two variants for amending the language law. The goal is to harmonize language instruction in compulsory schooling and ensure the status of a second national language.

The sgv argues that a preemptive legislative change—intended to act as a safeguard in case cantons terminate the HarmoS Concordat—represents an excessive infringement on federalism. While the association supports the necessity of second-language instruction, it prefers a milder approach, such as the Federal Council’s proposed 'Variant 2,' which would legally anchor the start and duration of second-language instruction while respecting cantonal competencies.