Source: Foundation for Economic Education
by Cláudia Ascensão Nunes
“Switzerland is the freest country in the world, according to the Human Freedom Index. Small in territory but giant in institutional autonomy, it has built a decentralized, monetarily stable, and deeply participatory democracy, all outside the European Union. While Member States have no alternative to the uniform directives designed in Brussels, Switzerland negotiates sectoral agreements according to its national interest and the democratic consent of its citizens. The new ‘Bilaterals III’ package, whose entry into force depends on approval by the Swiss Parliament and possibly a referendum, is a reminder that there is an alternative to the European integrationist ‘one size fits all’ model. Switzerland’s institutional architecture limits central power.” (03/06/26)