Voters in Switzerland have narrowly backed a plan to limit immigration, despite fears that the move could damage relations with the European Union. The poll led to a closely divided result, with a total of 50.3% of voters backing the nationalist Swiss Peoples Party’s proposal, and 49.7% of voters saying they were against the plan. Supporters of quotas believe that free movement has put pressure on housing, health, education, and transport. They also argue that foreign workers drive salaries down.
The decision will ultimately lead to a renegotiation of free movement treaties between Switzerland and the EU. Prior to last week’s vote, citizens from most EU member states could live and work in Switzerland. In return, Swiss citizens enjoy similar privileges across the European Union. The move to limit immigration began in earnest two years ago when Switzerland introduced quotas for immigrants from eight central and eastern European nations, a move that resulted in EU criticism.
The vote is seen as a victory for the far right Swiss party, which has effectively forced the Swiss government to draft a law extending the quotas to immigrants from Western Europe, and introduce limits on all foreigners’ rights to bring in family members or access Swiss social services. Initially the European Commission said it regretted the outcome of the Swiss vote and would need to review the impact on overall relations between Switzerland and the EU. Subsequently the EU has suspended talks with Switzerland over its participation in EU research and education programmes.
Click here to read an article in the Irish Independent about the Swiss immigration vote.
Click here to read an article on the BBC website on the implications of the vote for Swiss-EU relations.