A new ‘cooperation agreement’ with Brussels looks certain to undermine Swiss democracy.

Switzerland and the European Union have restarted negotiations on a cooperation agreement that would deepen their institutional and trading ties. It would also do great damage to Swiss democracy and sovereignty.

Earlier this month, Viola Amherd, Switzerland’s federal president, met with Ursula von der Leyen, the president of the European Commission, to start the discussions. According to the EU mandate for the talks, the aim is to complete negotiations by the end of this year, before Switzerland’s federal council eventually puts the deal to the public in a referendum. This could happen anytime between 2026 and 2029.