Switzerland's government recommended parliament reject the "Kompass-Initiative," which seeks to block a new EU economic agreement. The initiative, backed by Partners Group founders, would broaden referendum requirements and oppose dynamic alignment of laws with the EU, creating legal uncertainty, the government stated.
The government's recommendation to reject the initiative is crucial as it signals a potential alignment with the EU on economic matters, which could impact Switzerland's long-term economic stability and its relationship with its largest trading partner.
The Swiss government has formally recommended that parliament reject the "Kompass-Initiative," a proposal aimed at blocking a significant new economic agreement between Switzerland and the European Union. This initiative, reportedly backed by the founders of Swiss asset manager Partners Group, seeks to bolster Swiss independence by expanding the requirements for compulsory referendums on international treaties.
Justice Minister Beat Jans articulated the government's stance, stating that the initiative would introduce legal uncertainty, disrupt the established democratic system, and threaten economic stability. The core of the initiative involves requiring international treaties to gain approval not only from a majority of voters but also from a majority of Switzerland's 26 cantons, thereby raising the threshold for treaty ratification.
Furthermore, the initiative opposes the concept of "dynamic alignment," a key component of the proposed EU-Swiss deal, which would see Switzerland adapt its legislation to relevant changes in EU law, subject to its own constitutional safeguards. The government contends that the initiative's provisions regarding the adoption of law under international treaties are ambiguously formulated, leading to serious legal uncertainty.
The EU-Swiss deal, agreed upon in December 2024, is currently under parliamentary debate. If passed, it could face a public referendum as early as 2027. The "Kompass-Initiative" will eventually be put to a referendum after gathering sufficient signatures, though a specific date has not yet been set.