Research shows: Swiss people want to regulate relations with the EU 500 people take part in a memorial march for the victims of the shooting in Sion

On behalf of various business associations, the research institute gfs.bern surveyed the electorate about the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the EU and the planned further development of the bilateral path – the so-called Bilaterals III. The Swiss population therefore supports the negotiating mandate with Brussels, the associations announced on Monday. And clear.

Positive trend among the population

According to the survey, more than two-thirds of eligible voters are in favor of a negotiating mandate to further develop the bilateral path with the EU. More than 70 percent are even in favor of the content of the Bilateral III treaty package. That is ten percent more than last spring and a high since 2015.

The gfs.bern report paints a positive picture. The people want the next step towards a safe and stable relationship with the EU. Among the discussed elements of Bilateral III, Switzerland’s inclusion in the EU Framework Programs for Research and Innovation is almost unanimously supported.

Adjustments to the accompanying measures while maintaining current wage protection, updating product regulations, an electricity agreement with the EU and the possibility of dynamic legal adoption also met with very broad support. Furthermore, the establishment of a dispute settlement mechanism with a joint arbitral tribunal is clearly supported.

The partial approval of the so-called Union Citizens Directive, which would entitle EU citizens with an employment contract to social benefits, is polarizing voters. Yet a narrow majority of 53 percent would also agree with this.

The research was carried out on behalf of the associations Economiesuisse, the Swiss employers’ association, Interpharma, the Swiss banking association and Swissmem. 1000 voters were surveyed.