News

You could be interested by new pages which have been published on the OFCOM website between 01.12.2025 and 14.12.2025.

Address by Federal Councillor Ignazio Cassis, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), at the Global Refugee Forum Progress Review in Geneva – Check against delivery

The Federal Government Expert Group on Business Cycles has slightly revised upwards its forecast for economic growth in 2026 (GDP adjusted for sporting events: 1.1%; October forecast: 0.9%). The reduction in US tariffs has improved prospects for the sectors concerned. In 2027, growth in Switzerland is expected to normalise at 1.7% as the global economy gradually recovers. The forecast is based on the technical assumption that international tariffs will remain at current levels. However, uncertainty remains high.

Swiss deep-tech startup and Empa Spin-Off Ionic Wind has closed an oversubscribed US $2.1 million pre-seed round to fast-track the industrialization of its solid-state airflow technology. The funding will accelerate the rollout of Ionic Wind’s ultra-thin, silent airflow accelerators – a new class of cooling modules with unprecedented design freedom that can eliminate the need for mechanical fans.

In 2024, 256 000 persons in Switzerland received social assistance in the form of a financial benefit on at least one occasion. The number of social welfare recipients remained largely stable, with the social welfare rate at 2.9% and thus only slightly above the previous year's figure (2023 2.8%). The Social Assistance Statistics are being modernised to provide a more representative and timely picture of the situation regarding social assistance recipients.

The Producer and Import Price Index fell in November 2025 by 0.5% compared with the previous month, reaching 104.6 points (December 2020 = 100). In particular, pharmaceutical products, chemical products and petroleum and natural gas saw lower prices. Petroleum products, in contrast, became more expensive. Compared with November 2024, the price level of the whole range of domestic and imported products fell by 1.6%. These are the results of the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

Allocution de M. Guy Parmelin, Conseiller fédéral, Chef du Département fédéral de l’économie, de la formation et de la recherche (DEFR) à l’occasion de la Fête de l’Escalade 2025

On 12 December, the Federal Council decided to adapt the sanctions against Iran to the status prior to the conclusion of the Vienna Agreement on Iran's nuclear programme. To make that possible, it conducted a total revision of the Ordinance on Measures against the Islamic Republic of Iran. The new ordinance enters into force at 11pm on 12 December.

On 12 December, the Federal Council expanded the sanctions lists concerning Russia and Belarus. Switzerland is thus adopting various changes that the EU decided on as part of its 19th package of sanctions. The measures will come into force on 13 December.

In light of the deteriorating security situation, the Federal Council is realigning Switzerland's security policy for the coming years. To this end, it has developed a security policy strategy that incorporates the resources of both the federal government and the cantons. The Federal Council intends to address the heightened threat level by strengthening Switzerland's resilience, improving protection and prevention measures, and enhancing the country's defence capabilities. At its meeting on 12 December, it launched the consultation procedure and instructed the relevant departments to start implementation.

Mobile communications are indispensable for the public and the economy. To facilitate the expansion of communication networks, the Federal Council intends to amend the procedure for commissioning mobile phone masts. On 12 December, it launched a consultation on a revision of the Telecommunications Act. The bill creates the necessary framework conditions to provide reliable mobile phone coverage and protect the public and the environment. The consultation closes on 31 March 2026.

During its meeting on 12 December 2025, the Federal Council was informed by the Federal Department of Finance (FDF) about the most recent open finance developments in Switzerland. In order to achieve the targets set in 2022, the FDF intends to use precise indicators to review further progress in the banking and insurance sector. For the time being, there will be no regulatory requirements for open data interfaces. Open finance is intended to strengthen the digital self-determination of clients, as well as the innovative capacity and competitiveness of the financial sector.