New research shows surprisingly clearly: people are saying yes to Europe!

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EU poker enters a new round. And in many cases the old positions are immediately taken back. Concerns about wage protection come from the left. Union boss and SP state councilor Pierre-Yves Maillard (55) already calls for improvements in the Blick interview.

The right is already rattling its sabers. The SVP complains about a “poisoned Christmas present”. And the Kompass/Europe group around Alfred Gantner (55) is already working on a popular initiative. Your referendum is intended to prevent foreign judges and a dynamic takeover of the law.

There is a “spirit of optimism” among the population

This shows that the European political environment is better than it has been in a long time. As many as 68 percent of the population only or rather sees advantages in the bilateral approach, as shown by a representative survey conducted by the opinion research institute GFS Bern on behalf of various business associations. That is more than ten percent more than last spring and a high since 2015.

“There is a real sense of optimism,” says research director Urs Bieri. In view of the international challenges, people in Switzerland would like to see more security again and are looking for proximity to the values ​​that Europe embodies. “The tense global economic situation also reminds us that cooperation with the European Union has boosted Switzerland’s prosperity.”

Half of the SVP base is in favor of negotiations

This leads to the further development of the bilateral path that is advocated. 68 percent of the more than a thousand voters surveyed want the Federal Council to negotiate a new package of contracts, just as the state government approved on Friday. Even 49 percent of SVP supporters support negotiations on the so-called Bilateral III. The party has been resisting further ‘subordination’ to Brussels for years.

In this way, the People’s Party is over-politicizing the population, as shown by the survey conducted in the first half of November. Even the “foreign judges” are supported: as many as 66 percent agree that an arbitral tribunal should clarify disputes and that the European Court of Justice should interpret EU law. Even the fact that Switzerland should partially facilitate access to social benefits for EU citizens is almost half okay.

Prosperity versus immigration

The Swiss are well aware that the Confederation has to give something to EU poker. The unions should also know this: 83 percent are in favor of adjusting the accompanying measures as long as Swiss wages do not come under pressure.

The just over 1,000 voters surveyed cited mainly economic reasons for their position: for 85 percent it is crucial to secure access to Switzerland’s most important export market. 78 percent believe that participation in EU research programs (currently suspended) contributes to Switzerland being one of the most innovative countries. And as many as 83 percent believe that Switzerland can obtain urgently needed skilled workers in this way.

However, immigration, which goes hand in hand with the free movement of people, is also responsible for the three main arguments against bilateral agreements. In particular, the pressure on social services (unemployment insurance, social assistance and AHV) and rising real estate prices and rents make the population sceptical. As many as 52 percent are bothered by the fact that Switzerland no longer has control over immigration due to the free movement of people.

Easier economics

The business associations are nevertheless satisfied with the results: “Now we have it in black and white: the Bilaterals III enjoy great support,” says Stefan Brupbacher, director of the Swissmem association. Monika Rühl, chairman of Economiesuisse, is very pleased that there is a majority in all political camps in favor of a new package. “Looking ahead, that gives confidence.”

However, study leader Bieri warns against setting expectations too high. The discussion about European policy will intensify in the coming months. “And this highlights the weaknesses of the bilateral path: the accompanying measures, immigration, the European Court of Justice and, last but not least, the feeling that the EU is too powerful and demands too many compromises from Switzerland.”

But that does not change the fundamental goodwill that the population has towards Bilateral III. “People know that Switzerland’s prosperity is at risk if bilateral agreements erode. Ultimately it will depend on what can be done to counter the known weaknesses of a further approach.”

Source:Blick