Switzerland Today
Dear Swiss Abroad,
In Swiss–EU relations news, a non-binding declaration on foreign and security policy cooperation was signed yesterday, and Switzerland’s defence minister announced plans to examine the purchase of a second ground-to-air defence system from a European manufacturer.
Stay tuned this weekend for a special vote day briefing on Sunday, bringing you the results from the ballot box and what they mean for you.
Sunny regards from Bern,
Switzerland plans to purchase only 30 F-35 fighter jets instead of the 36 originally planned, while also exploring the acquisition of a second ground-to-air defence system, Defence Minister Martin Pfister announced at a press conference this afternoon.
Pfister painted a bleak security picture: Russia’s war against Ukraine shows no sign of ending, the United States is reducing its engagement in Europe, and conflicts in the Middle East are intensifying. At the same time, he warned that the Swiss army is not adequately equipped to counter emerging threats.
To mitigate ongoing risks, the Swiss government intends to proceed with the procurement of a heavily delayed Patriot air defence system while also examining the possibility of acquiring a second system, preferably from a European manufacturer. Any additional procurement would be financed within the existing defence budget.
Asked when a second air defence system could be delivered, Pfister said negotiations had not yet begun. Looking toward the future of the defence budget, Pfister reiterated that increasing value-added tax (VAT) remains the most viable option to finance higher defence spending. “Plan B would be that we have less security,” he said.
Switzerland and the European Union signed a non-binding declaration on foreign and security policy cooperation in Zurich yesterday.
“No regional conflict remains regional,” Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis said during the meeting with the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Defence Minister Martin Pfister. According to Cassis, the conflict in the Middle East highlights how global crises can affect Switzerland directly, for example through energy supply disruptions.
The declaration, approved by the government in December, introduces regular ministerial-level dialogue and adds a strategic dimension to the existing Swiss–EU consultations on foreign and security policy. It aims to assess global developments earlier, identify common interests and deepen cooperation on European security issues.
In addition, Switzerland and the EU also signed a framework agreement on possible Swiss contributions in civilian and military missions. The agreement simplifies procedures but creates no obligation for Switzerland. “If Swiss soldiers are to be deployed, Parliament will continue to have the final say,” Cassis said.
The two new agreements are separate from the package of negotiations between Switzerland and the EU, known as the Bilateral Agreements III.
French representatives are travelling to Switzerland on Friday to discuss the ongoing criminal case and financial support for victims of the New Year’s Day bar fire in Crans-Montana.
French nationals make up the largest group of foreign victims. Nine French citizens died in the fire and many more remain hospitalised.
The delegation, which includes France’s second-highest public prosecutor, will meet members of the Valais cantonal government, judicial officials in Bern and relatives of the victims. Discussions will focus mainly on financial compensation, but the Swiss justice ministry will also explain aspects of the Swiss legal system relevant to the case.
On Saturday, the delegation will visit the French embassy in Bern to meet the victims’ support organisation France Victimes, which helps coordinate contacts with authorities, insurers and other stakeholders.
An investigation published by 24 heures also raises questions about working conditions at the Constellation bar, reporting complaints from staff about low wages, exhausting hours and alleged bullying by management. The 24 heures newspaper also reports that a waitress carrying the champagne bottles adorned with lit sparklers had been ill but was nevertheless, “made to work” by the bar owner Jessica Moretti, according to her lawyer.
Canton Valais is paying CHF10,000 ($12,788 or €11,058) in emergency aid per victim and has created a CHF10 million foundation for further payments. The government also plans a federal law allowing a “solidarity contribution” of CHF50,000 per victim or family. A round table involving all parties is expected to negotiate out-of-court compensation to avoid lengthy court proceedings.
The Senate has already largely approved the bill, which the House of Representatives is due to debate on Monday.
Stable take-offs and smooth landings: That’s what airline passengers expect when boarding their flights. Shareholders, however, may be disappointed by the falling operating profit of Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS), which presented its turbulent 2025 results at its annual press conference today.
Operating profit fell by 26.6% to CHF502.2 million, while turnover declined by 2.6% to CHF5.5 billion ($7 billion), the airline said. “Strong competitive pressures, volatile demand and rising fees and maintenance costs all had their impact on our earnings results,” said chief financial officer Dennis Weber. The cargo business also declined, as SWISS was affected by geopolitical uncertainties.
SWISS wants to streamline its structures and become more efficient in the long term, explained CEO Jens Fehlinger. “An airline that doesn’t grow but shrinks will lose its competitive edge. We’re determined to consolidate our position and return SWISS to profitable growth. And we’ll be laying the foundations for doing so throughout 2026,” he said.
Despite operational problems, SWISS improved its punctuality last year, with on-time departures rising by 4.1 percentage points to 69.3%. The airline nevertheless narrowly missed its target of 70%.
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