Bilateral agreements – the SVP says no, everyone else says yes Probably the biggest domestic political issue at present is whether Switzerland should approve its new bilateral agreements with the European Union (EU) after years of frayed relations with Brussels (see “Swiss Review” 2/2025). All of the major political parties have now stated their position on the 1,800-page package of treaties. The picture seems clear at first glance: the SVP is the only party categorically against the agreements, saying that it will oppose ratification. The SP, FDP, Centre, Greens and GLP endorse the deal – referred to as “Bilaterals III” – in principle but would also like some adjustments here and there. The electorate will have the last say, but a voting date has yet to be finalised. (MUL) Three municipalities buy up their winter sports infrastructure to deter foreign investors With US investors starting to buy up and rebrand Swiss ski resorts, three Grisons municipalities – Flims, Laax and Falera – have banded together to purchase the winter sports infrastructure of Weisse Arena Bergbahnen AG at a cost of over 90 million francs. Voters in the three villages emphatically approved the deal, which aims to safeguard local jobs and secure the ski resort’s future. (MUL) Low winter snowfall, high summer temperatures – Swiss glaciers continue to melt at speed Glacial melt in the Swiss Alps was dramatic once again in 2025. A lack of winter snow combined with heatwaves in June and August resulted in a three per cent loss in glacier volume – the fourth-biggest decline since records began. There is now a quarter less glacial ice than there was ten years ago (see also “Swiss Review” 3/2025). The Glacier Monitoring in Switzerland network and the Swiss Commission for Cryosphere Observation presented the findings in October. (MUL) Switzerland is currently home to 100,000 recognised refugees – despite a low number of asylum applications Two important facts to note: the number of Swiss asylum applications has noticeably declined since 2024, but the number of recognised refugees in Switzerland remains consistently high at over 100,000. This does not include the 70,000 or so Ukrainians who are afforded special status (“protection status S”). Switzerland’s overstretched asylum system is a particular challenge for the federal government, with cantons under pressure calling for solutions and an easing of the situation on the ground. (MUL) Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher and Benjamin Mühlemann The FDP in Switzerland has a new leadership: the 58-year-old lawyer and St Gallen National Councillor Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher, and the 46-year-old communications expert and Glarus member of the Council of States Benjamin Mühlemann. Left-wing parties are known for having co-leaders, but now the FDP also has its first-ever dual executive. Vincenz-Stauffacher and Mühlemann have a challenging job on their hands. The over 130-year-old FDP, one of the proud founding parties of the Swiss federal state, is in decline. Its share of the vote, continually falling in recent years, stood at a paltry 14 per cent in the last federal elections. The FDP is now only the third-biggest party behind the right-wing SVP and the SP. If it fails to improve its showing in the 2027 elections, it could lose one of its two seats on the Federal Council. This would be a new low for a party to whom all members of the Federal Council belonged during the first 40 years of the modern federal Swiss state. The new co-leaders cover a broad political spectrum: she is regarded as progressive, he is seen as conservative. Both consider this a strength and have put on an optimistic front, saying that the FDP provides a “safe pair of hands” and is focused on maintaining prosperity. Yet it was when the two were elected at the FDP’s October conference in Berne no less that potential splits in the party were laid bare. Before the event, a big row had broken out over the new package of agreements with the European Union. Framed in the media as the FDP’s “moment of truth”, delegates crossed swords on the issue in an otherwise civilised debate. The conference emphatically endorsed the Swiss-EU accords in the end, following the lead of FDP Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis in adopting a European-friendly stance. Vincenz-Stauffacher voted in favour, Mühlemann voted against. It remains to be seen whether this decision by the party grassroots helps to sharpen the FDP’s profile or alienates voters. SUSANNE WENGER Swiss Review / December 2025 / No.5 8 Top pick News
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