Politics without secrets: Disclose political interest representations.

Politicians at the federal and cantonal levels must disclose all paid and unpaid interest ties, mandates, and contacts with lobby organizations. This information will be published in a publicly accessible, central register. Violations will be sanctioned. The goal is to strengthen transparency, trust, and democratic decision-making. Existing lists and transparency data are incomplete and voluntary.

Problem

• Unlike countries such as the USA or the EU, Switzerland does not have a mandator…: Unlike countries such as the USA or the EU, Switzerland does not have a mandatory, broad lobby register that systematically records and discloses all professional lobbyists and their activities.
• Studies show that many parliamentarians disclose their secondary incomes and con…: Studies show that many parliamentarians disclose their secondary incomes and conflicts of interest only incompletely. In some cases, 44% disclose no income at all, and only about 27% of the disclosure…
• Party financing is non-transparent: Large donations can still flow anonymously a…: Party financing is non-transparent: Large donations can still flow anonymously and unchecked through foundations. This loophole undermines democratic control and obscures who actually finances politic…
• All foundations and organizations that behave politically, socially, or lobby mu…: All foundations and organizations that behave politically, socially, or lobby must disclose just as openly where their funds come from and which activities and organizations are supported. Fully discl…

Solution

• There are ongoing initiatives and parliamentary proposals demanding more transpa…: There are ongoing initiatives and parliamentary proposals demanding more transparency in lobbying and the disclosure of conflicts of interest. Motions usually have no chance in parliament. Currently,…
• A binding lobby register records all professional interest representatives. The …: A binding lobby register records all professional interest representatives. The disclosure includes names, organizations, clients, budgets, and topics handled. This creates an official and transparent…
• In addition to the disclosure of actors, a legislative footprint is introduced. …: In addition to the disclosure of actors, a legislative footprint is introduced. This transparently documents all contacts between lobbyists and the executive as well as the legislature during the draf…
• Donations and gifts to public officials must be declared or refused from a set t…: Donations and gifts to public officials must be declared or refused from a set threshold (for example CHF 150). This also includes disclosure of sponsored trips and invitations.
• The introduction of independent monitoring and effective sanctions transforms tr…: The introduction of independent monitoring and effective sanctions transforms transparency from a moral expectation into a legally enforceable obligation. An autonomous control body checks compliance…

Benefit

• Transparency fosters trust by making influence channels and decision-making base…: Transparency fosters trust by making influence channels and decision-making bases visible. This traceability strengthens democratic legitimacy and consolidates the population's trust in state institut…
• Transparency increases the quality of legislation. The disclosure of influence l…: Transparency increases the quality of legislation. The disclosure of influence leads to a more critical examination of proposals. This makes the unfiltered adoption of lobby positions more difficult a…
• Transparency creates fair competitive conditions. The disclosure of influence ch…: Transparency creates fair competitive conditions. The disclosure of influence channels ensures that, alongside financially strong actors, NGOs, academia, and smaller associations receive equal access…
• Disclosure enforces a clear separation between the public mandate and private or…: Disclosure enforces a clear separation between the public mandate and private or professional interests. It minimizes conflicts of interest and ensures the priority of the common good in political dec…
• Transparency protects the militia system from blanket suspicion. Disclosure enab…: Transparency protects the militia system from blanket suspicion. Disclosure enables politicians who work correctly to prove their integrity and strengthen trust in their independence.