The extraordinary EU meeting on finalizing the papers on the Brexit agreement must be held on 25 November. On the same day, Switzerland will vote similar important decision as the one in which Britain decided to leave the EU two and a half years ago.
The vote on 25 November will determine whether Swiss legislation must prevail over international laws and agreements, a move which is inevitably reminiscent of Brexit. Voters in Switzerland will vote for the ‘Swiss law first’ initiative, which could lead to constitutional reform. The National vote can launch a form of “Swissexit” against the current rules of relations between the country and the EU.
Supporters of the initiative to regain control based on the Swiss laws, have accepted the slogan “Swiss law and not foreign judges”. For its part, the government says “international treaties protect our interests”.
The initiative seeks to change the way Switzerland treats international agreements if there is any conflict between these agreements and constitutional law. It aims to attach to the Constitution what should happen when an initiative is incompatible in certain areas with an existing international agreement.
Switzerland has access to the common European market through the free movement of persons and can conclude its trade agreements.
It is estimated that more than 33 percent of the current Swiss legislation derives from European legislation.
The Euro-sceptic right of the Swiss People’s Party (UDC) has previously fought with referenda to provide legal assistance to asylum seekers, naturalisation, etc.
The referendum this month will decide whether Swiss legislation is above the international law. Some of the more radical moves towards the national legislation foresee Switzerland to leave the European Convention on Human Rights.
