News

On 18 February 2026, the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research (EAER) has amended annex 2 of the ordinance on measures against Sudan. Seven individuals have been added to the annex. The measures come into force on 18 February 2026 at 11 p.m.

On 18 February 2026 the Federal Department of Economic Affairs EAER has amended the annex of the ordinance on measures against individuals and entities who support Hamas or the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The entry concerning one individual has been modified and the entry concerning another individual has been deleted. The measures come into force on 18 February 2026 at 11 p.m

The Confederation ended 2025 with a financing surplus of CHF 0.3 billion. The improvement relative to the budget is primarily attributable to a temporary increase in receipts from the canton of Geneva. The Federal Council was informed of this provisional result during its meeting on 18 February 2026. At the same time, it launched work on the next budget. Despite the balanced financial result, the federal finances remain tight: structural deficits can still be expected for 2027 to 2029, even with relief package 27 and the planned VAT increase for the Armed Forces and security. Without these measures, the deficits from 2027 onwards would amount to between CHF 2 and 4 billion.

On the recommendation of the head of the FDFA, Ignazio Cassis, the Federal Council appointed Charles Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel as the new FDFA secretary general at its meeting on 18 February 2026. Currently the FDFA's deputy secretary general, Mr Jean-Richard-dit-Bressel will take up his new position on 1 December 2026. He succeeds Markus Seiler, who will become the new Swiss ambassador to Canada on the same day.

The Federal Council plans to strengthen protections for Switzerland's critical infrastructure against all types of failure. This includes better safeguards against cyberattacks and manipulation for the most important electronic data held by the federal government, the cantons and operators of critical infrastructure. At its meeting on 18 February, the Federal Council decided to press ahead with draft legislation to improve the resilience and data security of critical infrastructure, responding to two motions referred to it by Parliament.

Early delivery of subscription newspapers and magazines is set to become more affordable, with an additional CHF 25 million per year being made available. This increase of press subsidies limited to seven year aims to strengthen media diversity in Switzerland. The Federal Council opened a consultation on the amendment to the Postal Ordinance on 18 February 2026. The consultation runs until 25 May 2026.

At its meeting on 18 February, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch to Parliament that provides for a temporary increase in Switzerland's contribution: in 2027, an additional 12 armed military personnel will be deployed to the multinational European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (EUFOR ALTHEA). They will assist with transport tasks and staff work. Against the backdrop of political crises in the country, the EUFOR ALTHEA mission plays a key role in stabilisation. Switzerland's contribution will allow it to support the EU's stabilisation efforts in a region that is important to Switzerland. The deployment of armed personnel must now be approved by Parliament.

Federal Councillor Albert Rösti will attend the Ministerial Conference of the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Paris from 18 to 19 February. While there, he will meet with his counterparts from the IEA's 32 member states. Topics will include the latest developments in energy markets and energy policy strategies, as well as the role of nuclear energy in the energy mix. Other items on the agenda are energy security, affordability and sustainability, and the long-term availability of critical raw materials.

Building on its close relations with the Western Balkans and commitment to European security and stability, Switzerland is pursuing its political dialogue in the region: from 18 to 20 February, the head of the FDFA, Ignazio Cassis, will travel to Slovenia and then to Bosnia and Herzegovina for an official visit. Talks will focus on bilateral cooperation, European security, cultural diversity, and dialogue as factors for social cohesion and the strengthening of democratic institutions. The visit also takes place within the framework of Switzerland's role within the OSCE, that the head of the FDFA is chairing in 2026.

In the 4th quarter 2025, the number of employed persons in Switzerland rose by 0.1% compared with the same quarter of the previous year. During the same period, the unemployment rate as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) increased from 4.4% to 5.0% in Switzerland and from 5.7% to 5.8% in the European Union (EU). These are some of the results of the Swiss Labour Force Survey (SLFS) conducted by the Federal Statistical Office (FSO).

You could be interested by new pages which have been published on the OFCOM website between 01.02.2026 and 14.02.2026.

Together with the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS) and other authorities, Swissmedic dealt with a total of 6,647 illegal imports of medicinal products in 2025. While the number of consignments secured has remained stable over several years, there are noticeable shifts in the types of products imported and the countries of origin. The results underline the continued risks of illegal imports of medicinal products for public health.