News

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.

In 2026, local and regional print media will receive a discount of 43 centimes for each publication distributed by Swiss Post. This increase of 15 centimes compared to 2025 is due to an increase in the annual federal contribution to print media and a decrease in the number of publications distributed. Titles published by associations and foundations will benefit from a support of 24 centimes per copy, an increase of 2 centimes compared to this year. The Federal Council approved these amounts at its meeting on 12 December 2025.

The interim evaluation of the 2030 Gender Equality Strategy shows progress in gender equality in Switzerland, but notes that the strategy's goals have not yet been achieved. The Federal Council took note of the report at its meeting on 12 December. It has tasked the Federal Office for Gender Equality (FOGE) with supplementing the priority measures for the period 2027–2030 by the end of 2026 in line with the interim assessment. Internal and external administrative bodies are to be involved in this task.

On 12 December, the Federal Council adopted the updated Digital Switzerland Strategy for 2026 and selected the new focus themes. The focus themes for next year are: digital sovereignty, digital host state and the introduction of the e-ID. This reflects the current priorities.

The Federal Council has examined how artificial intelligence (AI) is influencing cybersecurity and whether the National Cyberstrategy (NCS) can keep pace with rapid developments in AI. In a report on the opportunities and risks of AI systems in cybersecurity, commissioned in response to postulate 23.3861 from Gerhard Andrey and approved on 12 December, the Federal Council concludes that while AI acts as a catalyst for existing trends in cybersecurity, it does not change the fundamentals. AI projects will now be identified more clearly in the NCS to ensure transparency and allow for more focused control.

Status report HB-JCD (aviation) is available on the website of the Swiss Transportation Safety Investigation Board STSB. (Link: "Media").

Swiss app providers have access to the NFC & SE platform on iOS devices. The Secretariat of the Swiss Competition Commission is investigating whether Apple’s terms and conditions for granting access could raise competition law concerns.

Modern materials science combines lab experiments with mathematical modeling. However, when it comes to novel quantum materials such as two-dimensional nanographene, existing models reach their limits. Empa researcher Goncalo Catarina wants to develop a reliable model for these quantum molecules. To this end, he has been awarded the two-year Empa Young Scientist Fellowship.

The UN sanctions committee has amended the list of sanctioned individuals, companies and organizations. The SESAM database has been updated accordingly.On 4 March 2016 the Federal Council has adopted the Ordinance on the automatic application of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists. Hence, the amendments of the UN Security Council’s sanctions lists enter into force in Switzerland without delay.