The European Union is endangering the Swiss model of success based on direct democracy, independence and openness to the world, believes an interparty committee. To prevent Switzerland from passively joining the EU, he launched the “Compass” initiative.
The EU is endangering the attractiveness of the Swiss economic center, the initiators, the vast majority from German-speaking countries, from the economy, the PLR or the UDC, warned on Monday. Brussels wants to impose its laws on Switzerland without the population being able to freely participate in decisions, continues the committee.
The popular initiative “For direct democracy and the competitiveness of our country – against Switzerland as a passive member of the EU (Boussole initiative)” aims to anchor, in the federal constitution, the principle according to which Switzerland cannot not transfer its jurisprudence abroad. Enough to protect direct democracy and prevent Switzerland from drifting towards “passive membership” to the EU.
The text of the initiative means, at the same time, that all treaties aimed at a consistent dynamic resumption of foreign law must be submitted to the obligatory referendum on international treaties. Concretely, treaties like the 2.0 framework agreement with the EU can therefore only succeed if the people and the cantons approve them.
A margin of maneuver to be guaranteed
The sustainable strengthening of the economic location can only succeed if Switzerland continues to pursue an independent economic policy in the future.
The free choice of trading partners must be guaranteed and the threat of a monopolistic relationship with the EU must be avoided. For this, the political room for maneuver of Parliament and voters in the development of economic policy must be guaranteed by the Constitution.
Growing integration into the EU internal market limits Switzerland’s room for maneuver, the committee believes. It leads to the adoption of complex and bureaucratic regulations in an increasing number of areas of life.
At the same time, the possibilities for pursuing an autonomous trade policy with non-European countries are also limited in the long term. This is why the Boussole initiative wants to strengthen democratic legitimation by the people and the consideration of the interests of the cantons in the execution of international law obligations.
Extend the compulsory referendum
Only Swiss voters and Parliament should decide on the laws in Switzerland. Also, the Boussole initiative aims to extend the compulsory referendum. A dynamic recovery of the law and the threatened sanction mechanisms lead to a restriction of voters’ freedom of decision and a reduction in the cantons’ room for maneuver.
Anyone who has to make a decision under the threat of criminal measures cannot make a free decision, adds the committee. This is why the people and the cantons must be able to decide through direct democracy, instead of having to approve treaties “with a sword of Damocles hanging over their heads”.
The initiative committee has until the end of March 2026 to collect the necessary 100,000 signatures.
>> The Forum debate between François Schaller, former editor-in-chief of AGEFI, and Alexandre de Senarclens, Geneva PLR deputy:
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