Council of States backs double-majority for referendum on Switzerland–EU economic deal
The Council of States approved a requirement that a referendum on an economic integration agreement with the European Union win both a majority of voters and a majority of cantons; the lower chamber still must decide.
The upper chamber of the Swiss Federal Assembly, the Council of States, voted to require that any referendum to approve a deal deepening Switzerland's economic integration with the European Union be decided by both a majority of voters and a majority of cantons.
The National Council, the lower chamber, has not yet taken a position on the proposal and must still vote before the new rule would take effect.
Higher hurdle for ratification
Introducing a double-majority condition would raise the bar for ratifying the agreement and therefore makes passage more difficult than by a simple national majority alone. Supporters say the change responds to the constitutional role of cantons in Swiss federal decision-making.
Opponents have warned that the requirement could delay or block a treaty that negotiators present as the most important alteration in Switzerland–EU bilateral ties in a generation.
Lawmakers said that if both chambers of parliament eventually approve the text of the agreement, a national referendum on the pact could be scheduled as early as next year.
Photo: press material from the event
