Swiss coalition submits 85,000 signatures against Malaysia deal

A coalition of non-governmental organisations, the Social Democratic Party and the Greens has submitted 85,000 signatures against Switzerland’s free trade agreement with Malaysia, SRF reported. The alliance says the agreement threatens rainforests, local communities and workers’ rights.

The Alliance Against Rainforest Deforestation said it handed the signatures to the Federal Chancellery on Monday. At least 50,000 valid signatures are needed to trigger a referendum. The agreement was approved by parliament in June as part of a deal between the EFTA states: Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

The coalition objects in particular to planned tariff reductions on Malaysian palm oil. It argues that growing demand for oil palm plantations leads to rainforest clearance and the displacement of local people. It also says international labour and human rights are regularly violated on plantations.

If the Federal Chancellery formally confirms the referendum, voters are expected to decide on the agreement in the first half of 2027.