Addressing the 10-Million Initiative of the SVP
Facing a significant challenge from the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) with their 10-Million Initiative, Federal Councillor Beat Jans has proposed a confidential paper to his colleagues. This paper outlines a comprehensive set of 25 measures to tackle the issue of immigration, including controversial topics such as increased child benefits, additional subsidies for housing construction, and asylum policy reforms.
These measures aim to counter the SVP’s initiative, which ultimately calls for the termination of the free movement of persons with the EU, putting the entire bilateral relationship at stake. Among all the current matters before the Federal Council, this is deemed one of the most critical.
The Challenge of Support
Despite the wide array of proposals presented by Social Democrat Beat Jans, the response from his colleagues has been less than favorable. Out of the five feedback reports received from other departments, four were critical, with only his party colleague Elisabeth Baume-Schneider expressing some support while disagreeing with certain measures. Interestingly, Viola Amherd refrained from providing feedback, indicating her approval of the proposals.
Understanding the Leak
Despite facing resistance from SVP and FDP Federal Councillors, Beat Jans chose to keep the issue on the agenda. This decision was met with surprise given the apparent lack of support. The leak of this confidential information to Tamedia newspapers before the Federal Council meeting highlighted the intense behind-the-scenes battle taking place.
Reliable sources confirm the contents of Jans’ package, which not only includes a proposed “immigration fee” for workers from non-EU countries but also aligns with longstanding demands from the SP and labor unions. These demands include increased tenant protection, more housing subsidies, enhanced job security for older employees, and a raise in child benefits.
Expanding the Proposal
While the leaked list may not fully represent the final version of the proposal presented to the Council, additional suggestions reportedly include reducing welfare benefits for non-EU citizens compared to Swiss nationals in case of unemployment. Furthermore, the proposal is said to encompass asylum policy measures, addressing concerns from conservative critics and business associations.
A Stalled Decision
Following the meeting, the Federal Council did not reach a decision on Jans’ package, signaling a delay in the process. The lack of a clear timeline for a decision indicates growing uncertainty or frustration within the Council.
The Federal Council faces a deadline of March 2025 to submit its response to the SVP initiative to Parliament, already falling behind the original schedule set in the summer. The ongoing negotiations with the EU regarding the bilateral relationship further complicate the situation, with discussions on a better safeguard clause to manage EU immigration still in progress.
The Role of the EU
While the EU has rejected rigid immigration caps or unilateral actions, talks on the safeguard clause continue. A robust safeguard clause could serve as a strong counter to the SVP initiative, potentially leading to a formal counterproposal from Parliament. The Federal Council, however, aims to avoid a counterproposal and instead focuses on implementing supportive measures to address immigration challenges.