The Federal Council must not sneak away again “Escape from the SVP” and “doubtful”: this is how the press reacted to Baume-Schneider’s departure

The move of SP federal councilor Elisabeth Baume-Schneider to the Ministry of the Interior after just one year caused a stir. It was only mentioned in passing that the former canton doctor of Ticino, Ignazio Cassis (FDP), would also have been considered for the job. But just like a year ago, the 62-year-old preferred to stay at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This leads to two assumptions: Cassis does not want to stay much longer (probably to the annoyance of his party). However, before he steps down, he would like to make a fresh start in his relationship with the European Union (EU). Two and a half years ago, the Federal Council unilaterally terminated the institutional agreement, which had been criticized by various parties.

It was a capitulation to domestic political resistance and a sign of glaring leadership weakness. Since then, the Federal Council has made a new start with so-called exploratory talks. Now it’s time. On Friday he approved the draft of a new negotiating mandate.

Europhile instead of EU skeptic

The conditions have been met, and not only because the EU is allowing bilateral agreements to erode and Switzerland has so far denied access to the Horizon Europe research programme. The staff constellation in the Federal Council has changed. Only Cassis and Viola Amherd fully supported the framework agreement.

Now EU skeptic Alain Berset, who represented the union line, is resigning. He is followed by Beat Jans. The Basel resident of the border triangle is a Europhile and makes no secret of it. Elisabeth Baume-Schneider also appears to be more open towards the EU than her SP predecessor Simonetta Sommaruga, who is generally overly cautious.

At most selective differences

In an interview with “NZZ am Sonntag,” Baume-Schneider expressed what many in Bern are thinking: “We cannot afford a second failure in the European file.” If the restart goes wrong, Switzerland will make itself impossible. The country’s credibility would not only suffer vis-à-vis the EU. The Federal Council must not sneak away again.

It won’t be easy. The documents presented on Friday show that a new agreement will deviate from the framework agreement at most on certain points. The approach is different: rather than within an overarching framework, the ‘dynamic’ adoption of EU law should take place vertically within sectoral contracts.

Delusions instead of a sense of reality

In the end it’s not a big difference. Even if the Federal Council tries to make light of it, the European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg will have the final say in all cases involving EU law. The Brussels Commission cannot possibly put a third country like Switzerland in a better position than its own members.

It is an aspect of the Swiss debate on Europe that is as typical as it is embarrassing. It is characterized by delusions rather than a sense of reality. Too many people feel that they can get the fiver, the Weggli and the chocolate bar from the EU. So full access to the internal market without taking on the associated obligations.

Union power play

It is the same self-deception with which the British were seduced into Brexit. A majority of them now regret leaving the EU. In Switzerland, it is mainly the trade unions that play this keyboard. If they had their way, Switzerland should be able to regulate access to the labor market and wage protection itself.

For the European Commission, this is unthinkable, because the free movement of people is a cornerstone of the internal market. In any case, it seems to be ready to guarantee the current level of protection. Nevertheless, the unions were already carrying out their power play before the Federal Council’s provisional decision on the negotiating mandate in November.

Total obstruction of the SVP

In any case, they have refrained from drawing ‘red lines’. This indicates a certain flexibility. It is mainly a signal to the social partners. Only if they receive domestic policy concessions will they give up their resistance. Severin Moser, chairman of the employers’ organization, speaks bluntly about blackmail.

In turn, workers’ representatives shamelessly speculate that an EU vote can once again only be won if there is a broad centre-left alliance behind it. Citizens and companies can ‘thank’ the SVP for this. The largest ruling party is resorting to total obstruction in this crucial issue.

Graduating in 2024?

In no ‘normal’ country would she get away with this, but in Switzerland she could. The road to a new agreement will certainly be bumpy, as there is a lot of skepticism. This also has consequences for the once predominantly Europe-friendly media, including the SRF. Certain interests are often more important than the general interest of the country.

The Federal Council and especially Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis have a lot of work to do. A joint document states that negotiations should be concluded in 2024, before the mandate of the current European Commission expires. Cassis would then have to reach an agreement through the Federal Council, Parliament and a referendum.

If he succeeds, it would be a later and even sweeter triumph for the much-maligned man.