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Switzerland is currently in the process of implementing a third wave of bilateral agreements with the EU, and the federal government has indicated that in their opinion the "bilateral way" is the best of both worlds in terms of sovereignty and integration, so I don't think joining the EU will be on the agenda anytime soon

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You can see it as "the best of both world", or you can see it as having to follow EU rules without having a say in those rules because no EMP.

Yes, but the average Swiss voter is very proud of its direct democracy, and scared that joining the EU would significantly weaken it.

Therefore, having to follow EU law in some very specific areas, while remaining independent in others is a decent path, and a compromise very typical of Swiss policy

The new agreement basically being the same thing as being in the EU, and aligning further with EU institutions, without actually having a say.

Far from it, EU law would need to be transposed in some very specific areas covered by the agreement, and mechanisms are in place to limit what retorsions can be put in place if Switzerland refuses such transposition.

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