Swiss government urges parliament to reject initiative opposing EU deal

The Swiss government has urged parliament to reject the "Kompass-Initiative," a proposal backed by Partners Group's billionaire founders that aims to block a major economic agreement with the European Union. The initiative seeks to expand compulsory referendums to require approval from both a majority of voters and cantons, and opposes the "dynamic alignment" of Swiss laws with EU standards. Justice Minister Beat Jans and the Federal Council warn the initiative will disrupt the democratic system and cause severe legal and economic instability.

Government rejection of Kompass initiative

• ▪Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans stated during a press conference that the Kompass-Initiative creates more uncertainty and problems instead of clarity.
• ▪The Swiss government on August 13, 2026 recommended that parliament reject the "Kompass-Initiative," which aims to block a new bilateral agreement between Switzerland and the European Union.

Partners Group billionaire backers

• ▪The Kompass-Initiative is backed by the billionaire founders of Swiss asset manager and private equity firm Partners Group.
• ▪The Kompass-Initiative aims to protect Swiss independence by broadening the scope of compulsory referendums on state treaties.

Referendum scope expansion provisions

• ▪The Kompass-Initiative seeks to require that international treaties receive approval from both a majority of voters and a majority of Switzerland's 26 cantons.
• ▪The Kompass-Initiative will be put to a public referendum after gathering enough signatures, though no date has been scheduled as of August 13, 2026.

EU-Swiss bilateral agreement

• ▪The EU-Swiss deal, agreed in December 2024, represents the largest overhaul in bilateral economic relations between Switzerland and the European Union in a generation.
• ▪The EU-Swiss deal is being debated in the Swiss parliament and, if passed, is expected to face a referendum in 2027 at the earliest.

Federal Council legal uncertainty concerns

• ▪The Federal Council asserted that the Kompass-Initiative's provisions regarding the adoption of law under international treaties are formulated so unclearly that they would cause serious legal uncertainty.
• ▪The ruling Federal Council stated that the Kompass-Initiative would create legal uncertainty, disrupt Switzerland's democratic system, and threaten legal and economic stability.

Dynamic alignment opposition

• ▪The Kompass-Initiative opposes the "dynamic alignment" of laws, which is a key provision of the EU-Swiss deal.
• ▪Under the EU-Swiss deal's dynamic alignment, Switzerland would adapt its legislation to relevant changes in EU law, subject to its own constitutional safeguards.

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