Interview: Switzerland ‘totally disconnected’ from EU

Switzerland needs to launch a real debate on its relations with the EU and strengthen its capacity to analyse how European policies affect the country, political analyst and former MEP Frank Schwalba-Hoth told EURACTIV in an interview.

Schwalba-Hoth believes that although most people in Switzerland have strong opinions for or against the EU, their basic knowledge of the bloc is limited and even at the highest political level the country is incapable of influencing European policies. He compared this situation with a similar lack of debate and insight that existed among the 12 ‘new’ EU members ten years ago. 

The only issue being debated by the Swiss at present, even around restaurant tables, is the EU’s plans for stronger regulation for bank accounts and taxes, Schwalba-Hoth said. But more important issues, such as transport, chemicals legislation or migration are not being addressed and there is no Swiss input into the decision-making process, he added. 

Berner Politgespraeche is today launching a conference entitled ‘How to talk about Europe and how to talk to Europe,’ which Schwalba-Hoth said he hoped will inspire some of its participants to come to Brussels and learn how Switzerland would “better fit into this EU world”. 

He stressed that this also represents a chance for Europe to learn from Switzerland, because the country has developed original solutions to many common challenges, such as the rise of populism, immigration and multilingualism. 

To read the interview in full, please click here
. 

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