Story perspectives

Swiss Vote 62% to Approve EU Deal, SVP Opposes

6/17/2026

Summary

Swiss Voters Approve

Swiss voters approved a new EU agreement, with 62% in favor.
A GFS Bern poll of 2,050 people showed 31% opposition.
Interpharma chief executive Rene Buholzer said the EU accounts for 46% of Swiss exports.
The Swiss People’s Party opposes the deal, fearing EU bureaucracy, wages and immigration.
The Brussels deal followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election and his tariffs on Swiss goods.

Summary

Swiss Voters Vote

The referendum requires a double majority—national and cantonal—with results by 3:30 PM and certification at 6:00 PM.
In 2025, foreigners comprised 26.3 % (2.4 million) of Switzerland’s 9.14 million residents.
The SVP’s “No to a Ten-Million Switzerland” initiative would tighten asylum and labour-market immigration if the population exceeds 9.5 million.
The vote coincided with the G7 Évian summit opening, the Iran-US Islamabad Declaration signing in Geneva, and a Civil Service Act amendment adding six civilian-service measures.

History

Historical Context

In 1992 Swiss voters rejected the European Economic Area, 50.3 % voting against it, reinforcing a long-standing preference for neutrality. After parliament approved EU bilateral agreements in 2003—prompting the Swiss People’s Party to gather 86,000 signatures for a referendum—Switzerland pursued limited cooperation. Today, with 62 % supporting a new EU accord, the SVP still cites the 1992 sovereignty vote amid trade-policy debates.

1 of 3

Swiss Voters Approve

Swiss voters approved a new EU agreement, with 62% in favor.
A GFS Bern poll of 2,050 people showed 31% opposition.
Interpharma chief executive Rene Buholzer said the EU accounts for 46% of Swiss exports.
The Swiss People’s Party opposes the deal, fearing EU bureaucracy, wages and immigration.
The Brussels deal followed U.S. President Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election and his tariffs on Swiss goods.

1 / 3