On @euronews today commenting on major crisis in #EU - #Swiss relations.
Interview by great @Brusselsness
👇 🧵on why this breakdown & what next, in 8 points
Interview by great @Brusselsness
👇 🧵on why this breakdown & what next, in 8 points
1/ This is obviously sovereignty vs economy all over again.
Swiss focus on freedom of movement, “benefit tourism”, pressure on wages & “foreign judges”
I think🇨🇭have bad case- EU has been accommodating & numbers don’t add up to problems they pretend. But again, it’s politics.
Swiss focus on freedom of movement, “benefit tourism”, pressure on wages & “foreign judges”
I think🇨🇭have bad case- EU has been accommodating & numbers don’t add up to problems they pretend. But again, it’s politics.
2/ For 🇪🇺, final sign🇨🇭gov not ready for fair single market settlement w/ EU.
Benefits more than anyone, gives little in return. Single market adds €2900 to every Swiss/year, costs €14
Biggest problem lack uniform application of rules (incl. state aid) for single market LPF
Benefits more than anyone, gives little in return. Single market adds €2900 to every Swiss/year, costs €14
Biggest problem lack uniform application of rules (incl. state aid) for single market LPF
3/ Institutional Framework Agreement (IFA) was last-gasp attempt to put relations on sustainable footing & pave way for further market access.
Yet, despite admissions to sovereignty concerns🇨🇭government never signed, let alone defended agreement. And been coming back for more
Yet, despite admissions to sovereignty concerns🇨🇭government never signed, let alone defended agreement. And been coming back for more
4/ #Brexit “envy” plays part. Many Swiss suspicious onlookers to EU-UK negotiations w/ TCA wrongly seen as better deal (eg state aid)
This argument has no merit. Brexit is UK full departure from single market. What Swiss wanted & at stake in IFA, was precisely to remain within.
This argument has no merit. Brexit is UK full departure from single market. What Swiss wanted & at stake in IFA, was precisely to remain within.
5/ What happens now? Economically it’s only a slow death.
Economies will uncouple at speed of single market not being updated (mutual recognition, agriculture, electricity).
Biggest loser🇨🇭as EU = 50% of their foreign trade (Swiss = 8% of EU’s)
Economies will uncouple at speed of single market not being updated (mutual recognition, agriculture, electricity).
Biggest loser🇨🇭as EU = 50% of their foreign trade (Swiss = 8% of EU’s)
6/ Politically, much more explosive. 🇪🇺 has nothing more to give.
🇨🇭are asking for privileges EU members don’t get. Must also look to EEA & difficult 🇬🇧relations
Big test will be #HorizonEurope. In common interest, but not sustainable as CH withholds money & breaks out of IFA
🇨🇭are asking for privileges EU members don’t get. Must also look to EEA & difficult 🇬🇧relations
Big test will be #HorizonEurope. In common interest, but not sustainable as CH withholds money & breaks out of IFA
7/ But🇨🇭face the really fundamental problems & choices now. What future with 🇪🇺?
IFA had robust support in population (>60%). But also EEA and EU-UK or EU-Canada type agreements (~60%).
So this is all open. Will be long and #difficult.
IFA had robust support in population (>60%). But also EEA and EU-UK or EU-Canada type agreements (~60%).
So this is all open. Will be long and #difficult.
8/ Final question asked by @Brusselsness : is this the definitive end to Switzerland’s single market #freelunch ?
”Yes."
Paper forthcoming @epc_eu.
”Yes."
Paper forthcoming @epc_eu.
• • •
Missing some Tweet in this thread? You can try to
force a refresh
