A leading figure in Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) has signaled openness to Switzerland joining the European Union. Markus Töns, the SPD’s spokesperson for European policy in the Bundestag, stated that Switzerland would be “warmly welcomed” should it submit an application for membership. He expressed confidence that Switzerland could fulfill the necessary criteria for accession more efficiently than other candidate nations, citing a potentially streamlined process.
Töns, who also serves as the SPD’s rapporteur on Switzerland, emphasized that any move towards membership would need to be initiated and actively pursued by the Swiss government itself.
The statement comes amid growing concerns in Switzerland regarding its export-dependent economy, following the recent imposition of additional tariffs by the United States. These tariffs, reaching 39 percent, disproportionately impact Switzerland compared to the EU, which negotiated a flat rate of 15 percent after lengthy discussions.
Despite economic pressures, public opinion in Switzerland currently reflects limited support for unconditional EU membership. Recent surveys indicate that less than one-fifth of the population favors joining the EU without reservations, a position largely influenced by Switzerland’s longstanding commitment to neutrality as a cornerstone of its foreign policy.
