Summary
The Federal Council adopted a new anti-corruption strategy for the period 2026-2029 on 28 January 2026. This focuses on combating corruption in exposed areas of federal administration as well as reducing the corruption vulnerability of the Swiss economy abroad. The strategy is based on broad consultations with experts from business, civil society and academia and integrates recommendations from international bodies as well as the Federal Audit Office.
Persons & Institutions
- Federal Council
- Federal Audit Office (FAO)
- Council of Europe (GRECO)
- Interdepartmental Working Group (IDAG) on Anti-Corruption
Topics
- Anti-corruption in federal administration
- Prevention and transparency
- Criminal prosecution
- Foreign corruption
- Risk management
Detailed Summary
The new anti-corruption strategy 2026-2029 was developed by the Interdepartmental Working Group (IDAG) on Anti-Corruption under the leadership of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA). It represents a further development of the previous strategy 2021-2025 and sets new priorities based on operational findings.
The strategy focuses on two main priorities: first, reducing corruption risks in particularly exposed areas of federal administration; second, reducing the corruption vulnerability of the Swiss economy in international activities. Prevention, transparency and effective criminal prosecution are at the centre of this approach.
In developing the strategy, the IDAG conducted broad consultations involving experts from the private sector, civil society, academia and cantonal authorities. The strategy also takes into account recommendations from the Federal Audit Office, parliamentary initiatives, scientific research findings and recommendations from multilateral organisations such as the Council of Europe (GRECO).
Measurement indicators have been defined for all planned measures to enable targeted evaluation of implementation. Responsibility for implementation lies with the competent federal authorities, while the IDAG oversees verification of implementation.
Key Messages
- The strategy focuses on risk reduction in exposed areas of federal administration
- Prevention, transparency and criminal prosecution form the three pillars of the approach
- Measurement indicators enable systematic evaluation of implementation successes
- The strategy is directed at both federal administration and external stakeholders (business, civil society, academia)
- International recommendations (GRECO, FAO) are integrated into the strategy
Stakeholders & Affected Parties
| Stakeholder | Role |
|---|---|
| Federal Administration | Primary addressee and implementation responsibility |
| Swiss Business | Target group for reducing foreign corruption risks |
| Cantonal Authorities | Consulted partners and indirectly affected |
| Civil Society & Academia | Advisory experts and control bodies |
| Council of Europe (GRECO) | International evaluation and recommendation body |
Opportunities & Risks
| Opportunities | Risks |
|---|---|
| Stronger integrity in exposed administrative areas | Insufficient resources for implementation |
| Improved international trust in Swiss business | Resistance to transparency measures |
| Systematic evaluation through measurement indicators | Delays in criminal prosecution |
| Broad stakeholder consensus through consultations | Unequal implementation across federal authorities |
Action Relevance
Relevant for decision-makers:
- Resource allocation: Ensuring sufficient funds for prevention and control measures
- Monitoring: Regular review of measurement indicators and implementation progress
- Coordination: Alignment between federal authorities and cantonal authorities
- Communication: Transparent reporting on progress and challenges
- External compliance: Supporting Swiss business in meeting international standards
Quality Assurance & Fact-Checking
- [x] Central statements and data verified
- [x] Official Federal Council press release as primary source
- [x] No unconfirmed data present
- [x] No apparent political bias
Additional Research
- GRECO Evaluation Reports: Official recommendations of the Council of Europe's Group of States Against Corruption for Switzerland
- Federal Audit Office (FAO): Reports on corruption risks in federal administration
- OECD Convention Against Bribery: International standards for combating foreign corruption
Sources
Primary Source:
Federal Council press release – "Federal Council Adopts Anti-Corruption Strategy 2026-2029" (28 January 2026)
https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/syBQpKw2vsJej8pI-NaQL
Additional Sources:
- Federal Council Strategy Against Corruption 2026-2029 (PDF, 808 KB)
- Federal Audit Office – Anti-Corruption Measures
- Council of Europe GRECO – 5th Evaluation Round Switzerland
Verification Status: ✓ Facts checked on 28 January 2026
This text was created with the support of Claude.
Editorial responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-checking: 28.01.2026