Business groups warn anti-immigration proposal would impact Switzerland’s prosperity, and why the landmark Swiss-EU deal still has a long way to go — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on everything in this weekly roundup.
Business groups warn anti-immigration proposal would impact Switzerland’s prosperity
On June 14th, Swiss voters will have their say on the hard-right’s push to drastically limit the influx of EU workers into Switzerland – a move that business associations strongly oppose.
They say that, if approved, the move would “result in a loss of prosperity and a decline in the quality of life for everyone.”
It also “deliberately jeopardises the bilateral path with the EU, even though these agreements are a decisive factor in Switzerland’s prosperity.”
READ MORE: What Swiss businesses and employers say about the anti-immigration proposal
Why the landmark Swiss-EU deal still has a long way to go
On March 2nd, Switzerland and the European Union signed a package of agreements intended to ‘deepen and harmonise’ ties between the two sides.
But that is only the first step toward the process.
Before it can be ratified and implemented, it still needs to be debated (and approved) by the Swiss parliament, and be accepted by Swiss voters in a referendum as well.
READ MORE: What happens next with the landmark Swiss-EU agreements?
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Switzerland has a stake in the US-Irani conflict
Switzerland may be neutral but it is caught in the conflict’s crossfire, so to speak.
That’s because since 1980, the country has been entrusted with various protecting power mandates in relation to Iran, including representing the interests of the United States there.
This means that the Swiss government is finding itself in an unenviable position of representing US interests in Tehran, while condemning its attack on Iran.
READ MORE: How is Switzerland ‘involved’ in the US – Iran conflict?
Government wants employees to work beyond retirement age
Faced with serious labour shortages and dwindling pension funds, Switzerland wants to encourage people to stay in their jobs longer.
To that end, MPs have come up with various incentives to keep people nearing retirement age in the workplace longer.
Among them are increased allowances for deferring retirement as well as tax breaks on post-retirement income.
READ MORE: How Switzerland wants to keep pensioners working longer in life
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Petrol prices are becoming more expensive in Switzerland
The prices of petrol in Switzerland have been relatively stable since 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine.
But now they are climbing again.
They have gone up by 10 to 15 percent compared to the last week in February – that is, before US and Israel had launched airstrikes on Iran.
But this is just the beginning: according to Roland Bilang, director of Avenergy, the umbrella organisation for oil market professionals, they will continue to climb in coming days and weeks, possibly reaching 2 francs per litre – up from about 1.70 per litre on average currently for unleaded 95.
READ MORE: Petrol prices are on the rise at Swiss pumps
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What Swiss should be most worried about this year
A new government analysis has found potential risks that could significantly impact the country’s residents in 2026.
It lists three major risk areas which “present a high potential for damage and a relatively high probability of occurrence,” putting Switzerland’s population in considerable danger.
They are an armed conflict, an emergence of a new pandemic, and prolonged electricity shortages.
READ MORE: The biggest risks for Switzerland’s residents in 2026
