⏱ 2 min read
Background
The European Free Trade Association (EFTA), of which Switzerland is a member, has concluded a free trade agreement with the four Mercosur countries: Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. A broad alliance launched a referendum against the agreement a month ago. It denounces the consequences for the Amazon rainforest, human rights and Swiss agriculture. Eight cantons can also demand a popular vote through the cantonal referendum; Geneva has already done so.
The key points
On Wednesday 11 November 2026, the Fribourg Grand Council adopted a motion triggering the cantonal referendum against the agreement with Mercosur, according to the ATS news agency. The text was accepted by 57 votes to 47 with 4 abstentions, thanks to an alliance between the UDC and the left. The Fribourg Council of State had recommended rejecting it.
Fribourg becomes the second canton to call for this referendum. If six other cantons do the same, the people will have to vote. According to ATS, the vote is mainly symbolic, since the popular referendum has already been launched.
The motion was tabled by Green MP François Ingold and UDC MP Eric Barras. More than 50 colleagues co-signed it. In their view, opening up to South American agricultural products comes at the worst possible time for the sector.
Key figures
- 57 votes to 47 : vote in the Fribourg Grand Council, with 4 abstentions
- 2 cantons : Geneva and Fribourg are calling for a cantonal referendum
- 8 cantons : number required for a cantonal referendum
- 517 million francs : compensation planned for agriculture, mainly in the form of loans
What it means for businesses
- Fribourg exporters (cheese, watchmaking, pharma): the agreement would open up new markets for them, according to its supporters.
- Farmers : fear competition from products subject to less stringent standards.
Who says what
- François Ingold (MP, Greens): farmers cannot be required to meet high standards while products that do not meet them are imported.
- Olivier Curty (State Councillor in charge of the economy): export opportunities outweigh farmers' legitimate concerns.
- Alexandre Vonlanthen (president of the Fribourg PLR): Switzerland must not be isolated; the risk is that companies will leave the country.
- Eric Collomb (MP, Le Centre): the canton's exporting companies have everything to gain.
Further reading
Sources
- Frapp (ATS) – The canton of Fribourg opposes the Mercosur agreement
- La Liberté – After Geneva, Fribourg leads the revolt against Mercosur
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