Switzerland's Big EU Deal: What's Next?

Switzerland is in the middle of a big discussion. The country wants to update its relationship with the European Union (EU). This isn't just any small change. It's a huge overhaul that covers many important areas like electricity, transport, and money.

The Deal and the Vote

The Swiss government agreed on this deal last December and signed it in June. But now, they need the people to say yes in a vote.

Political Divide

• Swiss People's Party (SVP), the biggest group in parliament, is against this deal. They think it's bad for Switzerland's independence and control over its borders.
• Their main rivals, the Liberals (FDP), just voted to support the deal. Three-quarters of their members said yes. This is a big deal because the Liberals are also on the right side of politics.

Public Concerns

People in Switzerland are worried about getting too close to the EU. They don't want to lose their unique status in Europe. Some even look to the United States as an alternative. But U.S. President Donald Trump recently put high taxes on Swiss goods, making the U.S. less attractive.

Government's Stance and Polls

The Swiss government says this EU deal will help the economy in uncertain times. A recent poll shows that more people support the deal than oppose it. But the vote won't happen anytime soon. It's unlikely before 2027 and could be even later.