Both councils
24.046 Proposal of the Federal Council. Federal Act on the Transparency of Legal Entities and the Identification of Beneficial Owners
First, the National Council (draft 1) and then the Council of States (draft 2) approved the drafts assigned to them, thereby supporting the introduction of a transparency register and the introduction of due diligence requirements for advisory activities. In this context, the exemption for listed companies in draft 1 was retained and the minority motion to dismiss the bill was not accepted. Draft 1 will now go to the Council of States for reconciliation of differences and draft 2 will go to the National Council (second chamber).
National Council
23.3224 Institutional Reform of the Competition Commission
The Motion Français on institutional reform of the Competition Commission was also adopted by the National Council, after the Council of States had already given the green light in its spring session. Contrary to the Federal Council’s decision to open consultation on institutional reform on 13 June 2025, the Federal Council is now tasked with drafting legislation that requires a strict separation of the investigative and decision-making bodies.
23.047 Partial Revision of the Cartel Act
The National Council partly follows the line taken by the Council of States but takes the view that competition agreements and abusive practices should only be sanctioned in future if they are capable of impairing competition in a specific case. The matter is therefore referred back to the Council of States for resolution of differences.
24.091 Extension of loss offsetting
The National Council has clearly approved the extension of loss offset and emphasises in particular the possibility of loss offset as a key instrument for strengthening competitiveness in times of economic uncertainty. The matter will now be passed on to the Council of States.
Council of States
24.088 Double Taxation. Agreement with Hungary
After the National Council approved the agreement with Hungary in its spring session, the Council of States has now also given it the green light unanimously. In the final vote, the agreement was approved too. The agreement is thus concluded.
25.031 Protocol of Amendment to Modernise the Free Trade Agreement between the EFTA States and Chile
The Council of States has unanimously approved the modernisation of the free trade agreement between the EFTA states and Chile. The next step is for it to be passed by the National Council.
24.073 Implementation and Financing of the Initiative for a 13th OASI Pension
After the Federal Council originally proposed financing the additional OASI costs solely through an increase in VAT, the Council of States believes that a mixed financing model combining VAT and payroll taxes would be more appropriate. The matter will now be passed on to the National Council.
25.3035 U-turn in Sustainability Regulation. Impact instead of Administration. Is the Federal Council following suit?
Damian Müller (FDP) has agreed not to pursue his interpellation following the Federal Council’s statement of 14 May 2025. The Federal Council recognises the burden imposed by sustainability regulations, is examining possible adjustments in line with developments in the EU and has tasked the FDJP with reviewing the relevant legislation. There will be no halt to the process for the time being, but relief measures are being examined.
24.082 For a Social Climate Policy – Fairly Funded through Taxation (Initiative for a Future). Popular initiative
The Juso initiative continues to meet with no support in parliament: following the National Council’s rejection of the initiative in its spring session, the Council of States has also announced its rejection and will not be considering the proposal. The initiative will therefore be put to the vote without a counterproposal.
