Alpine Region: Politics

Domestic

Switzerland will hold a national referendum in June on a proposal to cap the country's population at 10 million people by 2050. The proposal was initiated by a far-right political group. Separately, Austria is facing potential fines of up to 46 billion euros for failing to meet its climate policy targets. In a separate long-running corruption case, former politician Peter Meischberger was sentenced to wear an electronic ankle monitor instead of going to prison.

International

The most significant diplomatic activity centered on Geneva, Switzerland, which hosted multiple high-level talks. A third round of indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran, mediated by Oman and focused on the nuclear issue, commenced. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Araghchi, stated they entered with an open mind and real ideas for a fair deal, while the United States stated it was keeping military options open while pursuing diplomacy. Iran separately accused Trump of 'big lies' ahead of the meeting.

Concurrently, a new round of negotiations aimed at ending the war in Ukraine was scheduled in Geneva, announced by Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky and involving representatives from Ukraine, Russia, and the United States. Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, chairing the OSCE, traveled to Moscow to discuss the organization's potential role regarding Ukraine and European security. Reports indicated Switzerland and Russia hold differing views on the OSCE's value and what it can achieve.