by Lukas Leuzinger*
(12 December 2025) When Switzerland debated its first federal constitution in 1848, centralists and federalists were at loggerheads: the former wanted to completely break the power of the cantons, while the latter wanted to maintain the existing loose confederation of states based on the principle of “one canton, one vote”. In the end, a compromise was reached: a parliament with two chambers.
by Ferdi Hodel, Managing Director of ZBV
(5 December 2025) The associations had until 31 October 2025 to submit their comments on the “Stabilisation and Further Development of Switzerland–EU Relations” package to the federal government. The board of the “Zurich Farmers Association” (ZBV) has also drafted a statement:
by Ulrich Schlüer*
(28 novembre 2025) For the Swiss Federal Council, the register decided upon by the EU to record all assets of EU residents and EU companies is a taboo subject that is strictly banned from all discussions. But the decision to introduce a comprehensive asset register has been passed in the EU. Its introduction will begin next year, i.e. in 2026.
by Carl Baudenbacher*
(21 November 2025) On 20 December 2024, the Swiss Federal Council approved a package of agreements with the European Union (EU) without fully knowing their content. However, the institutional features were clear.
The agreements provide for the dynamic adoption of EU law by Switzerland, de facto surveillance of Switzerland by the European Commission and the settlement of disputes by a pro forma arbitration tribunal under the supervision of the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU).
(21 November 2025) (CH-S) It is not only the founding of the “Freedom of Speech Alliance” (www.buendnisredefreiheit.ch) for Switzerland and Germany that has attracted attention recently. In Zurich, another high-profile association has presented itself to the public, which also represents the concerns of citizens against increasingly intrusive statehood:
Ueli Maurer (former Federal Councillor, SVP), Thilo Sarrazin (former Finance Senator of Berlin, ex-SPD) and Hans Georg Maassen (former German President of the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution) presented the “Leonhard Circle” to a wider public on 27 October.1 This is an urgently needed step against the creeping decline of civic spirit, the rule of law, and the desire for peace beyond Switzerland’s borders.
by Elias Vogt*
(14 November 2025) In around two years, the Swiss population will vote on two groundbreaking proposals: the Forest Protection Initiative and the Community Protection Initiative. These proposals concern the planned construction of over 1,000 large wind turbines in the Swiss countryside.