Swiss Senate committee backs EU treaty package

Switzerland’s Senate Foreign Affairs Committee has voted clearly in favour of the treaty package with the European Union, Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported. After months of discussions on the details, the committee approved the package by nine votes to three, with one abstention.

A clear majority of the committee supports stabilising relations between Switzerland and the EU, according to a statement from the parliamentary services. The Council of States is expected to debate and decide on the package at the end of September during its autumn session.

The so-called stabilisation component will be considered first, followed by new agreements on food safety and health. The planned electricity agreement is not yet ready for consideration.

Key issues are likely to include the dynamic adoption of EU law, wage protection and a safeguard clause in the event of excessive immigration to Switzerland. The Council of States will also debate whether the agreements should be subject only to an optional referendum or whether a mandatory referendum, requiring approval by a majority of the cantons, should be held.