Parliament will open its autumn session on September 8. Foreign policy and geopolitics are set to dominate the agenda. And with three initiatives and a special asylum session, the Swiss People’s Party is shaping the tone. We begin with the items that are particularly relevant for the Swiss Abroad this session: Swiss Abroad: What to watch this autumn session The Senate plans to ratify a social security agreement between Switzerland and Argentina, giving Swiss pensioners there clearer legal footing. The 13th payment of the old-age and survivors’ pension will be introduced in December 2026, which also concerns Swiss pensioners abroad. But it is still not clear how it will be financed. Interior Minister Elisabeth Baume-Schneider wants an increase in VAT, while the Senate would add payroll deductions. The ball is now in the House of Representatives’ court. In the meantime, transitional scenarios are being considered which would bridge the gap until a new reform can deliver a lasting fix.
