Mitte boss Gerhard Pfister supports NATO reconciliation.Image: trapezoid
New conflict between Bern and Brussels, Jans reiterates protection clauses and US class action lawsuit against Lindt & Sprüngli: this and more can be found in the Sunday papers.
'Totally unacceptable': New EU demands
While a new EU deal is being negotiated, a new tax dispute has erupted between Switzerland and the EU. Brussels is calling for changes to the Automatic Exchange of Information (AEOI), according to research by NZZ am Sonntag. Specifically, this means that Swiss authorities must collect tax claims from EU citizens from their home country.
According to NZZ am Sonntag, this is an unimaginable idea, especially for ordinary people. “We have to enforce foreign laws. This is completely unacceptable to me,” said senior vice-president state MP Franz Grüter. GLP, on the other hand, considers this a legitimate concern from which Switzerland could also benefit. The Federal Council is ready to negotiate on the sensitive issue, the newspaper reported. However, the application of such provisions shall be strictly limited. The U.S. State Department's Economic Council reportedly hopes to discuss the request on Monday.
Jans insists on protection clause
Justice Minister Bethe Jans reiterated Switzerland's demand for EU protections on the free movement of people. Otherwise it would be difficult at home, Jans told “Sonntagsblick”, and the EU knows this. That's why protective clauses are also in their interest. Because it is also important for Brussels whether the proposal can withstand the consent of the Swiss people. At the same time, it would also be damaging to the EU if too many skilled workers immigrated to Switzerland.
Asked whether a deal with Brussels would have been reached without the backstop, Youngs said it was the overall package that ultimately mattered. The Federal Council also announced that it had commissioned a national strategy to combat organized crime. “It is important that Switzerland takes action here before we encounter similar problems to other countries in Europe,” Jans said. Among them are criminal groups from Italy, Albania and other countries. Federal police organizations need to pay more attention to stopping them.
More information about Jans' statement:
Matullo hopes for new attempt at free trade agreement with US
Following the election of Donald Trump, Senior Vice President National MP Magdalena Matullo-Bloch called for the resumption of free trade negotiations with the United States. She stressed in an interview with the Sonntag newspaper that such an agreement was very important for Switzerland and that she was personally committed to it. The head of Ems-Chemie had sought a deal with the United States in 2018. This approach was discussed during Trump's first term as president, but that exploration ended in 2021 when Joe Biden took office.
However, with Trump's election, the United States faces the threat of import tariffs, which is why Swiss business representatives are campaigning for a free trade agreement. Agriculture remains a challenge. Economy Minister Guy Parmelin stressed in an interview with Le Matin that farmers should not be put under greater pressure by reaching a deal with the United States.
Gerry Pfister hopes Trump will reconcile with NATO if elected
After the US election, Center Party leader Gerhard Pfister called for stronger ties with the NATO defense alliance. Pfister told “NZZ am Sonntag” in an interview that some of Trump's statements could also have a negative impact on Swiss security. He firmly believes that cooperation with NATO is the right path under such circumstances. In the future, Swiss F-35 fighter jets could help monitor European airspace in the event of war.
Because: Keeping Trump’s promises would be dangerous in Europe. “If he wants a quick peace in Ukraine, as he has announced, it will be a peace that serves Russia's interests,” Pfister said. On the question of whether Switzerland should stay out of the matter, he said:
“Then you have to tell NATO clearly that we want and can fully defend ourselves if the worst happens. I have a couple of big question marks about the Army's current defense capabilities.”
Swiss office workers frustrated by artificial intelligence
Many office workers in Switzerland feel insufficient support from their employers when dealing with artificial intelligence (AI) issues. This is what “SonntagsZeitung” writes citing a survey by the “Mold Platform” alliance. According to this, 80% of respondents require more expertise to use AI tools such as Chat-GPT or Deepl. Only a quarter of respondents said their employer has a clear strategy for AI. A lack of guidance also leads to uncertainty, the report said.
Artificial intelligence opportunities are evaluated differently depending on the company's level of education and management. Less qualified people will be more skeptical of these technologies. Ursula Häfliger of “Die Platform” emphasized in “SonntagsZeitung” that companies should involve employees in artificial intelligence processes. Dominik Blunschy, national committee member of the centre, suggested that AI skills should be taught in primary schools.
Lindt & Sprüngli indicted in US
Swiss chocolate giant Lindt & Sprüngli faces a class-action lawsuit in the United States. According to NZZ am Sonntag, California consumer advocates measured high levels of two toxic heavy metals in one panel: cadmium and lead. It is claimed that the limit values were therefore clearly exceeded. The plaintiffs allege that Lindt was deceived by misleading quality promises.
Lawyers for Lindt said in the company's defense that the emphasis on quality was a transparent marketing strategy. The announcement caught the attention of the chocolatier on social networks. Consumers feel cheated when it comes to Lindt's price. Lindt denies all accusations, NZZ am Sonntag reports. Internal procedures ensure all products are safe and correctly labeled.
Swiss textile company is planning a major recycling project
The Swiss textile industry wants to take recycling into its own hands and is planning an early contribution to recycling. According to “SonntagsZeitung”, seven companies, including Calida, Mammut and PKZ, are jointly establishing the Swiss Fabric Loop Association with the Swiss Textile Association. Used clothing collection in Switzerland is facing a crisis due to the sheer volume and uneconomical recycling.
The association is planning to introduce a tax, like the one currently included in the purchase price of appliances and plastic bottles: consumers pay a fee at checkout to be disposed of later, the newspaper reported. The amount of the recycling contribution should be based on models such as those of the Netherlands or France. Equivalent to 30 to 70 centimes per kilogram. The legal basis and allocation of costs should be worked out in the coming weeks, the report said. The first tranche of voluntary contributions is scheduled to be made within two years.
Glencore: Swiss company pretends to be greener than it really is
A report by Public Eye has criticized Switzerland's sustainability reporting as being more environmentally friendly than it actually is. Sonntagsblick has access to a previously unpublished report showing that companies such as Vitol, Trafigura, Glencore, Mercuria and Gunvor will Annually, 4.043 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent are emitted. This is almost four times the official figure and 100 times Switzerland's total emissions. Raw materials companies typically only consider emissions from their factories and ships. On the other hand, it is crucial that Public Eye estimates the emissions from the combustion of traded raw materials. Mercuria, Vitol, Trafigura and Glencore in particular miss this point; only Gunvor has more complete figures. Swiss raw materials trade association Suissenégoce dismissed the criticism, calling the calculations “deliberately misleading”. The report places the blame one-sidedly on retailers.
Dementia and euthanasia – a difficult topic
According to the federal government, there are 156,000 people with dementia in Switzerland. There are 33,800 new cases per year. The Sunday Times reported on this and described a core problem: people with advanced dementia no longer have the ability to make judgments and are therefore not allowed to choose assisted suicide. Not even if they express this desire beforehand. Experts emphasize that in the early stages, when judgments are still made, it is not clear whether the disease will progress to the expected extent.
Erika Preisig, a doctor and euthanasia assistant in Basel, told the newspaper that the problem is that there is a lot of uncertainty among doctors, with many fearing legal problems if they support a patient's suicide:
“If the FMH considers suicide assistance a medical activity, this would provide a level of safety for doctors.”
Aldi boss mocks Migros' pricing strategy
Jérôme Meyer, managing director of Aldi Suisse, reacts calmly to Migros' new low-price strategy. In an interview with “SonntagsZeitung”, he emphasized that Aldi's prices are still significantly lower than supermarkets, and the gap is still about 30%. For him, Migros' price offensive is confirmation of the Aldi model, which has enjoyed 20 years of success with low prices and a limited range. This strategy allows Aldi to remain competitive and efficient.
Meyer stressed that the focus on price will strengthen discounters in the long run. He stressed the importance of Swiss products, especially in the fresh meat sector, in order to curb shopping tourism. Sustainability is also key: “I believe that if people could afford sustainable meat, they wouldn't necessarily consume more meat but consume more consciously,” says the Aldi boss. (sda/con)
