Clear majority against “Schweixit”

SVP’s “limitation initiative” clearly fails – future of the framework agreement between the EU and Switzerland still open

The EU, Germany and also the Swiss Federal Council can take a deep breath. As predicted in the polls, the Swiss electorate clearly re-jected the “limitation initiative”, which would have meant an end to the free move-ment of persons, with 61.7% of the votes to 38.3%. A serious crisis in relations between the EU and Switzerland could thus be avert-ed. Swiss citizens have thereby clearly ex-pressed their support for a pragmatic part-nership with the EU. However, difficult talks still lie ahead in terms of future relations, which are to be given a new legal basis with a framework agreement.

Schweiz-EU-Beziehungen auf dem Prüfstand

Abstimmung über Initiative der SVP – Droht Ende der Personenfreizügigkeit?

Sowohl Deutschland als auch die gesamte EU sollten am Sonntag sehr aufmerksam in die Schweiz blicken: Der 27. September ist großer Abstimmungssonntag – insgesamt kommen fünf Vorlagen zur Abstimmung. Aus deutscher und europäischer Sicht ist besonders die so genannte "Begrenzungsinitiative" von der euroskeptisch-nationalkonservativen Schweizerischen Volkspartei (SVP) bedeutsam. Ihre Annahme würde den Bundesrat – die Schweizer Exekutive – beauftragen, die Personenfreizügigkeit für EU-Bürger zu beenden. Ein solcher Schritt wäre gleichbedeutend mit der Aussetzung eines Teils der derzeit bestehenden bilateralen Vereinbarungen mit der EU (Bilaterale I). Nimmt man die Umfragen als Maßstab, sieht es nach einem recht klaren "Nein" des Stimmvolks aus. Ein Blick auf vergangene Abstimmungen sollte gleichwohl zur Vorsicht mahnen.

Geneva Telegram – The WTO leadership race

Latest developments in the race for the post of the WTO Director-General

The „Geneva Telegram“ analyses current developments in the multilateral organizations in Ge- neva relative to current events. This time it is devoted to the search for the future Director-Gen- eral of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

Geneva Barometer

Developments in Geneva’s International Organisations Mid-May 2020 – Mid-July 2020

Things have been heating up in international Geneva since the middle of May: The World Health Organisation (WHO), which continues to fight COVID-19 and to implement the demands of the World Health Assembly (WHA), has had to absorb a serious blow with the US's notice of withdrawal. In the World Trade Organisation (WTO), the race to find a successor to the Director General Azevêdo, who is stepping down on the 31st of August, has gathered momentum. At the same time, day-to-day business is also gaining momentum in the Geneva organisations - among other things, there were several controversial debates at the Human Rights Council.

A crisis overlooked - the UNHCR’s new report on refugees

Public focus is currently concentrated on the coronavirus crisis, but the plight of refugees is, as ever, an urgent global problem. On 18 June 2020 the UNHCR (UN High Commissioner for Refugees) presented its new Report on the trends affecting refugees around the world. Here are some of its key findings.

Weekly overview of developments in multilateral Geneva on COVID-19

(28 May - 11 June),

The „Geneva Telegram“ analyses current developments in the multilateral organiza-tions in Geneva relative to current events. During these weeks, it focuses on devel-opments in the Geneva-based organizations related to COVID-19. The pandemic does not only have a health dimension but also substantial consequences for the future of the global economy, world trade, work, flight and migration, the humanitarian sector and human rights. It also affects the multilateral system as a whole.

Geneva Barometer

Developments in Geneva’s International Organisations Mid-February 2020 – Mid-May 2020

The “Geneva Barometer” takes an occasional look at a few selected developments amongst the international organisations based in Geneva.

Weekly overview of developments in multilateral Geneva on COVID-19

(30 April - 13 May)

The „Geneva Telegram“ analyses current developments in the multilateral organiza-tions in Geneva relative to current events. During these weeks, it focuses on devel-opments in the Geneva-based organizations related to COVID-19. The pandemic does not only have a health dimension but also substantial consequences for the future of the global economy, world trade, work, flight and migration, the humanitarian sector and human rights. It also affects the multilateral system as a whole.

Geneva between hope and disillusionment in the fight against COVID-19

Weekly overview of developments in multilateral Geneva on COVID-19 (17.4.-29.4.)

In the past two weeks, there were several encour- aging multilateral efforts to fight the pandemic. A global initiative, led by the World Health Organiza- tion (WHO) to accelerate the development, produc- tion and equitable distribution of vaccines, diagnos- tics and therapeutics deserves particular attention. However, there were also various sobering exam- ples for the limited readiness to cooperate and respect agreed-upon global norms.

The WHO Under Pressure (17th April)

Weekly review of events in multilateral Geneva on COVID-19 (April 3 to 16)

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to hold the world in its grip – the global number of cases doubled in two weeks while the number of deaths almost tripled, even though the growth numbers in some of the hardest-hit countries in Europe like Spain or Italy have slowed down. Meanwhile, the global discourse on the management of the pandemic has become more confrontational, with criticism being particularly directed towards the WHO.