Full Breakdown
Swiss Council of States Advances EU Treaty Package, Sets Double-Majority Vote Requirement
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Core Decision: Stabilization Measures Approved and Cantonal Referendum Mandated
The Council of States voted to approve the stabilization portion of the EU treaty package, including a CHF 193 million contribution to Erasmus+ for 2027. The vote was 23-19-2. It also adopted a “sui generis” referendum rule requiring both a popular majority and a cantonal majority for the whole package, passing 23-17-3. The measures now move to the National Council.
Background & Context
The EU treaty package (Bilateral Agreements III) modernises Swiss-EU cooperation. It bundles a stabilization segment—covering education, food safety, health security—and a mechanism that would automatically incorporate future EU single-market updates into Swiss law. The package also proposes a new dispute-resolution court and expanded family-reunification rights for same-sex couples. Proponents say the current framework is outdated; opponents warn it could erode sovereignty and direct-democracy safeguards.
Timeline
- Debate (?22 hours) – Council of States deliberated and approved the stabilization measures.
- Referendum Rule Vote – Adopted the double-majority requirement.
- Referral to National Council – Decisions sent to the lower house, expected to debate in December.
Data & Statistics
- Erasmus+ contribution: CHF 193 million (? $230 million).
- Cantonal split: French-speaking cantons voted uniformly for a simple popular majority; several rural cantons supported the cantonal-majority rule. In five cantons the two councilors voted opposite ways, cancelling each other out.
Official Statements & Responses
- Guy Parmelin, Federal President, said the Erasmus+ benefits “far outweigh the costs” and warned that rejecting the loan could be viewed negatively by the EU.
- Matthias Michel (FDP, Zug) argued a “no” vote would prevent Swiss students from participating in the programme and would harm the economy.
- Federal Council officials maintain the package does not trigger a mandatory referendum under current law.
- Elisabeth Baume-Schneider, Federal Councilor, will oversee the provisional conclusion of negotiations before forwarding the dossier.
Why It Matters
The approved measures grant Switzerland access to Erasmus+, a common food-safety framework, and ECDC health-security mechanisms. Failure to ratify could jeopardise participation and risk erosion of market-access agreements in electricity, food safety and public health. Domestically, the double-majority requirement heightens tension between direct-democratic participation and cantonal autonomy.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This package deeply encroaches on our legislative powers, on the powers of the Federal Council, on our judicial system, and on the rights of the cantons,” — Heidi Z’graggen, Council of States member from Uri
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on whether the treaty’s impact meets the threshold for a mandatory referendum. The Federal Council argues the interference is not “serious,” while the Council of States voted to impose a double-majority rule, indicating divergent interpretations.
What’s Next
The National Council will debate the package in December and decide whether to retain the double-majority rule. A national referendum on the entire EU treaty package is anticipated, though a ballot date has not yet been set. The electricity-agreement component remains pending, awaiting Senate committee work.