Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, commented on the vote Sunday.Image: keystone
June 14, 2026, 5:30 p.mJune 14, 2026, 5:32 p.m
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, wants to continue to modernize and deepen cooperation with Switzerland. She wrote on the short message service X that she had taken note of the voting results on Sunday.
Good discussion with @ParmelinG.
We take note of the outcome of today’s vote in Switzerland.
The Swiss people have spoken.
The EU and Switzerland share deep ties and a strong partnership.
We will continue working together to modernize and deepen our cooperation, for the…
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 14, 2026
“The Swiss people have decided,” the German politician wrote in a post in English on Sunday. She mentioned a “good conversation” with Federal President Guy Parmelin. It was not immediately clear where and when the conversation took place.
The EU and Switzerland have a close relationship and a strong partnership, it said. This should be modernized and deepened for the benefit of citizens and companies.
EU parliamentarians welcome rejection of SVP initiative
Another EU representative also welcomed Switzerland’s decision “for stability instead of uncertainty” in relations with the EU. The Frenchman Christophe Grudler also looked at solutions that Bilateral III would offer.
EU parliamentarian Christophe Grudler also welcomed the result.Image: imago
Grudler acknowledged that there would be difficulties in border regions, as he told the Keystone-SDA news agency in writing upon request. These would be overcome through collaboration.
He mentioned the bilateral treaty package that was signed by the Federal Council and the European Commission and is in the ratification process. The treaties are also called Bilateral III.
“These agreements will provide concrete answers to several concerns expressed in Switzerland, in particular thanks to a safeguard clause in the event of significant difficulties,” said Grudler.
The protective clause refers to an instrument that gives the Federal Council the opportunity to control immigration in the event of “serious economic or social problems”. In order for the instrument to come into force, Bilaterals III must be approved by Parliament and, if necessary, also by the electorate.
The treaty package must also be approved by the European Parliament in Brussels. Grudler is in charge and is the rapporteur for the dossier and relations with Switzerland in general. The Frenchman is a member of the centrist-liberal Renew group in the European Parliament. (dab/sda)