Swiss government urges rejection of initiative targeting EU treaty approvals

The Swiss Federal Council has recommended that parliament reject the ‘Kompass-Initiative’, a proposal aimed at altering how international treaties are approved in Switzerland. The initiative, supported by the founders of Partners Group, seeks to require a majority of both voters and the 26 cantons (a ‘Ständemehr’) for new international agreements, such as the upcoming deal with the European Union.

The Federal Council argues that the initiative would create legal and economic instability, disrupt the established democratic system, and introduce significant uncertainty. Justice Minister Beat Jans stated that the proposal would create more problems rather than clarity. Additionally, the government opposes the initiative’s stance on ‘dynamic alignment’, which involves adapting Swiss legislation to relevant changes in EU law.

While the Swiss-EU deal is currently under parliamentary debate and may face a referendum in 2027, the Kompass-Initiative will proceed to a referendum after gathering sufficient signatures. The Federal Council maintains that the current constitution only requires a simple popular vote for such treaties, and they reject the need for a constitutional amendment to implement a cantonal majority requirement.