Shortly before Christmas, things are really crashing again in Federal Bern. With the conclusion of negotiations between Switzerland and the EU and the PUK report on the CS emergency merger, two hot items are on the table. In the “Arena” the party leaders take a position.
Author:
Manuel Age
21.12.2024, 00:57
The Federal Council announces the conclusion of negotiations between Switzerland and the EU. Beat Jans, Guy Parmelin and Ignazio Cassis provide information about the contract package for over 90 minutes. The SVP in particular is harshly criticized.
“This is a disaster,” says SVP Vice President Magdalena Martullo-Blocher. The government lacks the courage to say no to contracts that would result in Switzerland having to submit to the EU. In particular, the dynamic legal takeover is a thorn in Martullo-Blocher's side. She warns: “If we don’t adopt new EU laws, it can punish us.”
SP co-president Mattea Meyer, on the other hand, assesses the outcome of the negotiations as mostly positive. Good relations with the European Union are important for a functioning Switzerland. In the current negotiations, Meyer is only concerned about wage protection. The Federal Council has promised that wages will continue to be protected. The Federal Council must get to work on domestic policy implementation, demands the Zurich resident.
Compared to the rejected framework agreement, there are points that have been significantly improved.
When it comes to wage protection, FDP President Thierry Burkart is satisfied. Burkart also accepts the cohesion contributions, which amount to 350 million francs annually from 2030 to 2036. “If you want to participate in the internal market, then you have to pay for it,” said the Aargauer. Thanks to Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Switzerland now has a significantly better negotiation result on the table than with the framework agreement. It is now important to analyze the advantages and disadvantages in detail, says Burkart.
Mitte President Gerhard Pfister is also satisfied with the conclusion of the negotiations. However, he remains cautious about the protection clause to control immigration. Switzerland could now activate the protective clause independently. “How this is defined exactly remains unclear,” says Pfister. In order to get immigration under control, Switzerland must develop its own laws that are compatible with the bilateral agreements, suggests the Zug native.
These treaties stop the erosion of the bilateral path.
The GLP is probably the most vehement supporter of the current negotiations. Zurich State Councilor Tiana Moser represents her party in the “Arena” and says: “The bilaterals have made a significant contribution to Switzerland’s prosperity. Moser argues that Switzerland will gain opportunities to participate with this package. Green Party President Lisa Mazzone is also positioning herself as an advocate of the contract package. “These agreements stop the erosion of the bilateral path,” said Mazzone.
At a glance: The party leaders on the contract package
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Legend:
Magdalena Martullo-Blocher (SVP):
“This result of the negotiations is a knee-jerk move by Switzerland. We must not allow ourselves to be subjugated by the EU.”
SRF
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Legend:
Mattea Meyer (SP):
«I welcome this negotiating package. But I’m still worried about the promise to ensure wage protection.”
SRF
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Legend:
Thierry Burkart (FDP):
“Continuing the bilateral agreement is pragmatic. This result is significantly better compared to the last one.”
SRF
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Legend:
Gerhard Pfister (The Center):
«I am glad that negotiations have been concluded. The Federal Council must now initiate the domestic process.”
SRF
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Legend:
Lisa Mazzone (Green):
«I am very satisfied with this result. It leads to a stabilization of the relationship between Switzerland and the EU.”
SRF
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Legend:
Tiana Moser (GLP):
“With the bilateral agreements, Switzerland has chosen a special path. This has contributed significantly to our prosperity.”
SRF
CS report is also a topic
The “Arena” guests draw a variety of conclusions from the report of the parliamentary investigative commission (PUK) on the CS emergency merger. Burkart and Pfister accuse Credit Suisse managers of misconduct. Meyer denounces the former SVP finance minister Ueli Maurer. Mazzone announces demands for banking regulation and Moser questions Finma's behavior. Martullo-Blocher believes that the state should not be responsible for such risky banking transactions. Only one thing is clear: the CS debacle has not yet been discussed today.
Swiss
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