Switzerland: under the threat of a referendum, the Parliament is refusing to open the postal market

Ballot.  Communication workers’ unions won a first battle.  On September 29th, the Swiss House of Representatives, the National Council, refused (102 against, 82 for) to open the postal market to competition.  The conservatives were asking for liberalization in 2013, the government recommended a complete opening in 2014, the National Council postponed its decision sine die, planning a mere report in 2015. The State Council, which represents Swiss counties, has yet to give an opinion.  The Chamber already voted, with a very small majority, for a flexible liberalization of the market.  However, there’s a new deal now.  Indeed, unions and the Swiss liberal party introduced, on September 2nd, a petition entitled “For a strong post” which gathered 111,000 signatures.