Switzerland as business location 2021 – European issues
On behalf of Interpharma, gfs.bern surveyed 2005 Swiss voters between 8.3. and 21.4. 2021 on issues relating to relations between Switzerland and the EU. The survey was conducted before the last round of negotiations with the EU.
Satisfaction with the Bilaterals among Swiss voters has been high for years, and this will continue in 2021. This means that the Bilaterals form a broadly accepted basis for the relationship with the European Union, which people do not want to fall behind.
On this basis, the institutional framework agreements also find a majority, albeit not an enthusiastic one.
Currently, criticism is coming increasingly from the right-wing conservatives, while the discussion on wage protection is currently less effective. In contrast, support for the treaties is based on the fear of economic disadvantages and the desire to offer the economy certainty in terms of expectations.
Ultimately, however, it is the further discussion that decides, especially during a referendum campaign – and this has not yet been conclusively conducted.
You will find more detailed information in the summary report (in German).
The question on the institutional framework agreement was raised as follows:
“One of these agreements currently under discussion is the so-called Switzerland-EU institutional agreement. This agreement is intended to place the five existing market access agreements and all future agreements between Switzerland and the EU under a new contractual umbrella. This would make it possible to adapt the existing agreements more efficiently and quickly to new circumstances and to negotiate new partial agreements more easily. The agreement is controversial in Switzerland.
If such an institutional agreement between Switzerland and the EU were to be put to the vote, would you definitely be in favour, rather in favour, rather against or definitely against?”
