Archive · 13 Aug 2026
Swiss government urges parliament to reject initiative opposing EU deal
Switzerland and the European Union agreed on a big deal in December 2024 that would change how they work together.
Some people in Switzerland do not like this deal.
They made a plan called the Kompass-Initiative to try to stop it.
The plan says that important treaties should need a vote from both the people and all 26 parts, called cantons, of Switzerland.
Very rich business people who started a company called Partners Group support the plan.
The Swiss government says the plan is confusing and would hurt the country's stability.
The Justice Minister, Beat Jans, said the plan creates more uncertainty instead of clarity.
The government wants parliament to say no to the plan.
If the deal passes in parliament, the Swiss people may get to vote on it in 2027 or later.
The Swiss Federal Council recommended that parliament reject the Kompass-Initiative, which aims to block the EU-Swiss agreement.
The initiative would require international treaties to be approved by a majority of voters and a majority of Switzerland's 26 cantons.
The government warned the initiative would create legal uncertainty and threaten legal and economic stability.
The EU-Swiss deal, agreed in December 2024, could face a referendum in 2027 at the earliest if it passes parliament.
The initiative, backed by billionaire founders of Partners Group, also opposes the dynamic alignment of Swiss law with EU law.
- Who
- The Swiss Federal Council (government), represented by Justice Minister Beat Jans, and the billionaire founders of Partners Group backing the Kompass-Initiative.
- What
- The government recommended that parliament reject the Kompass-Initiative seeking to block the EU-Swiss agreement.
- When
- On Thursday, August 13; the EU-Swiss deal was agreed in December 2024 and is currently being debated in the Swiss parliament.
- Where
- Switzerland, with the deal being debated in the Swiss parliament.
- Why
- To block the EU-Swiss deal and protect Swiss independence by requiring treaties to be approved by both a majority of voters and a majority of the cantons.
Swiss Federal Council (pro-deal government)
Kompass-Initiative backers
Referendum requirements
Swiss Federal Council (pro-deal government)
Requiring both a voter majority and a cantonal majority for treaties would create legal uncertainty and disrupt Switzerland's established democratic system.
Kompass-Initiative backers
Broadening the scope of compulsory referendums on state treaties protects Swiss independence.
Dynamic alignment with EU law
Swiss Federal Council (pro-deal government)
Dynamic alignment under the EU-Swiss deal brings clarity and stability, with Switzerland keeping its own constitutional safeguards.
Kompass-Initiative backers
The initiative opposes dynamic alignment of Swiss laws with EU law to safeguard Swiss independence.
- Initiative
- Kompass-Initiative
- Backers
- Billionaire founders of Swiss asset manager and private equity firm Partners Group
- Government position
- Recommended parliament reject the initiative
- EU-Swiss deal agreed
- December 2024
- Possible referendum
- 2027 at the earliest, no date decided yet
- Key requirement
- Treaties need a majority of voters and a majority of the 26 cantons
- Justice Minister
- Beat Jans
- Main government concern
- Legal uncertainty and threats to legal and economic stability