Cantonal Council SG St. Gallen cantonal council remits request for status on Erasmus+
On Wednesday, the St. Gallen Cantonal Council referred an initiative to the Federal Council. It calls on the Federal Council to begin negotiations for re-entry into the EU's Erasmus+ education and research cooperation program.
18.09.2024, 10:09
SDA
By participating in the EU Erasmus+ program, students, researchers and teachers can benefit from exchanges within the EU. Switzerland has not been a member since 2014 and only has the status of a third country.
The petition was submitted jointly by the two party presidents of the FDP and the Greens as well as the leader of the Center Party. It states that the world of vocational and higher education, as well as youth work, adult education and sport, is suffering greatly from the non-association of Erasmus+.
A clear signal must now be sent to the Federal Council. The aim is for negotiations to finally lead to success. To this end, the Federal Assembly should issue a mandate to the Federal Council. The request will be dealt with by the Cantonal Council in one of the upcoming sessions.
The government supported the initiative. A clear signal from the canton of St. Gallen is important, said Head of Education Bettina Surber (SP) in the Council on Wednesday.
The request was approved by all parliamentary groups - with the exception of the SVP. It was not necessary, the federal government already had the issue on its radar, explained the SVP spokesperson. The motion was passed by 77 votes to 35.
