SVP criticizes deal with EU: “Cassis must be stopped”

Now you have a topic that you can manage beautifully. On Tuesday, the SVP launched the campaign against the negotiations with Brussels.
This institutional link with the EU poses a great danger to Switzerland.

What are you afraid of?
Switzerland’s identity and independence are at stake. EU law should automatically apply in Switzerland in the future. Judges of the European Court of Justice determine what applies in Switzerland. We need to transfer billions to Brussels. And the Swiss people would no longer have a say.

The EU is by far Switzerland’s most important trading partner. Ticino or regions such as Geneva or Basel benefit from cross-border commuters.
Both parties benefit. I have nothing against close economic relations. But I am against EU citizens coming to Switzerland and wanting to plunder our social systems.

Your canton in particular, Ticino, benefits enormously from cross-border commuters. Your retirement homes and hotels depend on cheap staff.
We have more and more cross-border commuters. You earn good money in Switzerland. But they clog our streets and pollute the environment. Ultimately, they reduce wages; purchasing power has not increased in Ticino. There is always an Italian who is willing to work for less money.

According to business associations, Switzerland benefits more from the EU than it costs them. And the research center suffers from the separation of EU research programs and has difficulty recruiting top people. Even your party colleague, National Fund Chairman Jürg Stahl, says that. What do you say to him?
Brussels is blackmailing us. It is unfair that we cannot participate in Horizon, but countries that do not have close relations with the EU can. I welcome the fact that Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin is holding talks with Britain, the US and Asia. The best universities in the world are there.

In the event of disputes, a so-called mixed committee would have to decide, in which Switzerland would be involved. Why do you still feel blackmailed?
This so-called arbitration court is purely decoration. Ultimately, the European Court of Justice makes a binding decision. The opposing party therefore supplies the judges. This is the end of Switzerland as we know and love it. We have a direct democracy that is unique in Europe.

Tell us a specific danger emanating from Brussels.
Deutsche Bahn is causing chaos everywhere with strikes and delays. But Brussels wants us to open the Swiss rail network to foreign providers.

You have a powerful comrade in arms: union boss Pierre-Yves Maillard. Have you already drawn up a battle plan together?
We will certainly discuss this with Mr Maillard. However, he is in favor of a deal with Brussels, while we do not want a deal at all. Maillard is talking about sectors, we are talking about Swiss values.

The chairmen of the Center and the FDP, Gerhard Pfister and Thierry Burkart, are seen as critical of an institutional solution. Are you hopeful that the two sides will switch to your camp?
I experience the Center and the FDP as very indecisive. And I’m curious how they ultimately position themselves.

There is also an important political question about the rules of the game…
I am convinced that the treaty with Brussels requires a majority of the people and the cantons.

Many people see it differently. The rector of the University of Freiburg, Astrid Epiney, considers a majority of the estates to be unconstitutional.
Other professors disagree with Ms. Epiney. The stands were also asked about the free trade agreement and accession to the EEA. Once again: the EU deal would destroy our successful state system.

In 1992 the SVP had an ally against the EEA in the Greens. Which allies will you rely on this time?
First of all to the people. We will do everything we can to mobilize the grassroots. Then, as I said, we will of course also exchange ideas with the trade unions and look for overlaps.

During the vote on the 13th AHV pension, a letter from former federal council members was not well received. Do you still trust old federal councilors like Ueli Maurer?
Ueli Maurer is a bright mind. We need his support and I hope for his efforts.

A driving force behind the rapprochement is Ignazio Cassis. Is he still the right Foreign Minister to negotiate with Brussels?
I’m disappointed with Ignazio Cassis. When he took office, Cassis talked about a reset button – instead it’s now ‘game over’. Cassis must be stopped. We do not want to submit to Brussels.

You supported Cassis when he was elected to the Federal Council in 2017. Are you accusing him today of breaking his word?
He didn’t hit a reset button, which means he didn’t keep his word.

SP union councilor Alain Berset listened strongly to the unions and was critical of Brussels. His successor Beat Jans is considered a Euro-turbo. Do you miss Mr. Berset?
I miss all the federal council members who want to prevent the subordination treaty with the EU.

You will be chairman of the SVP for another two weeks. What was your highlight in the three and a half years?
Our wake in Morschach was very important to me. The Federal Council decided not to sign an institutional agreement with the EU in 2021. We lit a great fire because we knew an important battle had been won, but we must remain vigilant.

What will you miss about the position?
Good cooperation with the other members of the party leadership. I enjoyed every moment, even the moments of arguing. This time was very enriching for me.