Push back on English use in government

Some parliamentarians are trying push back on a government decision to use English officially for its talks with the international anti-money laundering body, Financial Action Task Force – which is based in Paris.

But Carlo Sommaruga has tabled a motion calling on the government to keep Swiss languages as working languages with international organizations, noting that French is often an official language for international bodies. 

The government argues using English within international organisations is more efficient.

Another MP, Laurent Werhrli from canton Vaud, says there’s also a tendency for technical working groups within the Federal Administration to switch to English – even for solely Swiss matters. 

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