While the Federal Council presents the Switzerland-EU agreements as an undeniable success, a careful analysis of the facts and figures - and even of its own studies - tells a very different story. Behind Beat Jans's reassuring statements lies an unmanaged migration system, with concentrated benefits and costs largely borne by the population. It's time to confront the official line with reality.
Foghorn, 14 March 2026
Political communication out of touch
During the press conference on 13 March 2026, Beat Jans stated that the Swiss-EU agreements, particularly the free movement of people (FMP), «are adapting to the needs of the labour market».
A repeatedly made assertion... but largely contradicted by the facts.
⮕ Reality
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The LCP applies without sector-specific restrictions
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It also concerns the Part-time jobs
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It does not target absolutely not the sectors experiencing shortages
In other words: no structural correlation with the real needs of the Swiss economy.
Immigration: A System Without Steering
The Federal Councillor suggests controlled and beneficial immigration.
⮕ The figures suggest the opposite:
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62 % des immigrés ne viennent pas pour travailler
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A majority of foreign assets are not not in shortage sectors
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Immigration continues despite Thousands of unemployed people in Switzerland
Conclusion :
The LCP functions as a automatic mechanism, without political guidance or economic suitability.
Social welfare: a promise contradicted by federal studies
Statement by Beat Jans:
«There will be no immigration into the welfare system.»
⮕ Counter-analysis based on federal studies:
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Extension of the right to social assistance for EU citizens
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3,000 to 4,000 beneficiaries per year
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Estimated cost: €56 to €74 million per year
And this is only an «optimistic» scenario.
And there's another key point:
The application of European law would greatly limit Revocation of residence permits
⮕ As a direct consequence:
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Less control
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More structural costs for cantons and municipalities
The myth of economic benefits
Beat Jans states:
«Free movement has largely contributed to Switzerland's favourable situation.»
⮕ But the Federal Council's own studies strongly qualify this:
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Assessed economic gains Under 16s
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GDP per capita growth:
Global growth exists… but it is diluted by population growth
Who really benefits from the system?
⮕ The winners:
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Large companies (abundant labour)
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Property owners (rent increases)
⮕ The losers
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Middle class
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Local workers
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Public infrastructure
Concrete consequences:
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Soaring rents
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Transport congestion
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Pressure on the healthcare system
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Pressures on education
The immigration acts as a internal cost accelerator
A reversal of political discourse
The central point is this:
The official statement presents:
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Useful immigration
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Widespread prosperity
The data shows:
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Immigration poorly targeted
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Profits concentrated
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Costs broadcast to the population
Conclusion
The problem isn't immigration itself.
The problem is a system:
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Automatic
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unmanned
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legally binding
By stating that everything is working, Beat Jans isn't fixing anything — he institutionalise an imbalance.
⮕ A migration policy that no longer distinguishes between economic needs and real flows is no longer a policy :
it's a renunciation of government.