News

Opening speech by Federal Councillor and chairman-in-office, Ignazio Cassis, at the OSCE Permanent Council. The event was held in Vienna. The speech was given in English – Check against delivery

The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission is investigating Microsoft’s licensing fees in Switzerland. The recent fee increases may constitute indications of an unlawful restriction of competition.

Address by the President of the Swiss Confederation, Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER)

The Federal Council is committed to ensuring that the victims of the fire in Crans-Montana and their families receive adequate support. To this end, it will request funding from Parliament if necessary. It took this policy decision at its meeting on 14 January. The Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) will examine by the end of February whether there are gaps in the existing provision of support services and how the federal government can provide assistance. The federal government’s contributions would be of a supplementary nature to complement the support provided by the insurance companies and the Valais authorities.

At its meeting on 14 January, the Federal Council decided that Mirjam Staub-Bisang will become Chair of the Board of Directors of the Swiss Investment Fund for Emerging Markets on 1 June of this year. She succeeds Jörg Frieden, who is stepping down at the end of May.

Croatian nationals coming to work in Switzerland will no longer be subject to quotas. At its meeting on 14 January, the Federal Council was informed that the number of L and B permits issued to Croatians in 2025 remained below the thresholds which would have permitted an activation of the unilateral safeguard clause. Croatia now benefits from full free movement of persons.

The Swiss Confederation issued two bonds by auction on 14.01.2026: 2.25%, maturity 22.06.2031 (reopening) and 4.00%, maturity 06.01.2049 (reopening). The issuance volume (excluding own holdings) amounts to a total of 252.960 million francs

Swiss mobile network operators must better protect their networks against power failures. Mobile service failures can cause significant economic damage and endanger people's safety. The Federal Council consequently adopted an ordinance revision at its meeting on 14 January 2026.

On 12 January 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER amended annex 1 of the ordinance on measures against Venezuela. The entries concerning four individuals were modified. These measures will come into force on 13 January 2026 at 11 p.m.

On 12 January 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research EAER amended annex 2 of the ordinance on measures concerning the Democratic Republic Congo. The entries concerning three individuals were modified. These measures will come into force on 13 January 2026 at 11 p.m.

On 12 January 2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended annexes 8, 14, 15b and 33 to the ordinance. As a result, 5 individuals, 4 organizations and 41 ships were newly added to the annexes. Technical corrections were made to 7 entries. The measures come into force at 11 pm on 13 January 2026.

Epoxy resin is a clear, robust polymer that is widely used – especially as part of fiber-reinforced materials in aviation, the automotive industry, and more. Until now, however, it has not been possible to recycle it. Researchers at Empa have developed an epoxy resin that can be reprocessed and chemically recycled, in addition to being flame-retardant and easy to manufacture.