Reporting by Reuters late on 5 December confirms that roughly three-quarters of Swiss cantons and major stakeholder groups have endorsed the Federal Council’s draft agreement to deepen ties with the EU. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis highlighted that the bilateral model enjoys more backing than rival options such as EEA membership or a pure free-trade pact.
The deal mirrors much of the Bilaterals III package but places particular emphasis on market access, state-aid rules and the continued free movement of people—cornerstones for multinational enterprises headquartered in Switzerland. Cassis framed the proposal as essential to safeguarding prosperity and national security amid heightened geopolitical risk and supply-chain fragmentation.
![Wide Cantonal Support Boosts Swiss Government’s New EU Deal]()
Business leaders welcomed the momentum, noting that predictability on immigration and regulatory alignment is critical for attracting talent and maintaining head-office mandates. However, sceptical voices on the political right warned that “dynamic alignment” could dilute Swiss sovereignty; they are likely to push for a referendum once parliamentary scrutiny begins in March.
If adopted, the agreement could rejuvenate stalled negotiations on Switzerland’s association with EU research programmes and digitised border systems, potentially easing future mobility compliance.
Companies should prepare stakeholder-briefings that translate political milestones into operational impacts—particularly around posted-worker notifications and recognition of professional qualifications that often trip up short-term assignees.
The deal mirrors much of the Bilaterals III package but places particular emphasis on market access, state-aid rules and the continued free movement of people—cornerstones for multinational enterprises headquartered in Switzerland. Cassis framed the proposal as essential to safeguarding prosperity and national security amid heightened geopolitical risk and supply-chain fragmentation.
Business leaders welcomed the momentum, noting that predictability on immigration and regulatory alignment is critical for attracting talent and maintaining head-office mandates. However, sceptical voices on the political right warned that “dynamic alignment” could dilute Swiss sovereignty; they are likely to push for a referendum once parliamentary scrutiny begins in March.
If adopted, the agreement could rejuvenate stalled negotiations on Switzerland’s association with EU research programmes and digitised border systems, potentially easing future mobility compliance.
Companies should prepare stakeholder-briefings that translate political milestones into operational impacts—particularly around posted-worker notifications and recognition of professional qualifications that often trip up short-term assignees.
