News

The Federal Council will recommend that Parliament reject the popular initiative “For a sustainable and future-oriented Swiss financial centre (financial centre initiative)” without a direct or indirect counter-proposal. This was decided during its meeting on 12 August 2026. The Federal Council is already committed to ensuring that the Swiss financial centre operates in a sustainable manner. However, it views the additional bans called for by the initiative as questionable from an international perspective.

The annual OSCE Ministerial Council will take place in Lugano on 3 and 4 December 2026. A few weeks before Switzerland’s term as OSCE Chair comes to an end, the meeting will bring together numerous foreign ministers from around the world. To ensure security of the event and its participants, extensive measures will be put in place. At its meeting on 12 August 2026, the Federal Council decided to classify the conference as an extraordinary event. Federal funding will therefore be provided to cover most of the security costs incurred by the Canton of Ticino authorities.

On 10.08.2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended the Annex to the ordinance. In this context, 6 individuals were added to the Annex. The measures come into force at 11 pm on 11.08.2026.

On 10.08.2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annexes 2 and 8 to the ordinance. In this context, 9 individuals and 45 organizations were added to Annex 8, and the entries concerning 11 individuals and entities were amended in Annexes 2 and 8. The measures come into force at 11 pm on 11.08.2026.

The Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) published on 11 August 2026 a positive list relating to Article 21, paragraph 6, of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Neutrality in its current form has stood the test of time for over 180 years. The Federal Council and Parliament therefore wish to maintain neutrality in its current form. It safeguards Switzerland’s freedom, security and independence. It is precisely the ability to respond appropriately to new challenges that has made neutrality so strong, said Federal Councillor and head of the FDFA Ignazio Cassis at the launch of the referendum campaign on the neutrality initiative in Bern. The initiative calls for a more restrictive concept of neutrality. The referendum is not about whether Switzerland will remain neutral in future: “Switzerland has been and is neutral, and it will remain neutral,” emphasised Mr Cassis.

On 10 August 2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annex 2 of the ordinance imposing measures against the Republic of South Sudan. One entry concerning an individual has been modified. The measures come into force on 11 August 2026 at 11 p.m.

On 10 August 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has amended annex 2 of the ordinance on measures against Sudan. One individual has been removed from the annex. The measures come into force on 11 August 2026 at 11 p.m.

The Federal Tax Administration has updated the course listings and bonus shares 2024, 2025 and 2026.

National Armaments Director Urs Loher was on a business trip in Japan from 4 to 7 August 2026. The work-related discussions and meetings with authorities and industry focused on armament policy topics and potential future cooperations in the defence sector.

In July 2026 the consumer sentiment index stood at –35 points. This is 2 points lower than in July 2025. The following sub-indices are lower than in July 2025: past financial situation, financial outlook and moment to make major purchases. The following sub-index has barely changed compared to July 2025: economic outlook.

To produce and use green hydrogen more efficiently, better materials are needed – such as robust membranes made of special ceramics that can absorb and conduct protons. An international research team led by Empa aims to shed light on the fundamentals of proton transport in such materials using new methods. The project is supported by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF) as part of the External Lead Agency program.