Swiss voters on Sunday backed proposals to reintroduce immigration quotas with the European Union, Swiss television reported - a result that calls into question bilateral accords with the EU and could irk multinational companies. Some 50.3 percent backed the "Stop mass immigration" initiative. The outcome obliges the government to turn the initiative into law withing three years.
While neutral Switzerland is not a member of the EU,
its immigration policy is based on free movement of citizens to and from
the EU, with some exceptions, as well as allowing in a restricted
number of non-EU citizens.
That pact on free movement of
people, which came into force 12 years ago, was signed as part of a
package of agreements with the EU, some of which could now be in danger
of unravelling, to say nothing of the effect on a globally oriented
economy that employs large numbers of foreign professionals.
"This is a turning point, a change of system with far- reaching consequences for Switzerland," Justice Minister Simonetta Sommaruga told journalists in Berne.
The European Commission in Brussels said in a
statement that the vote went against the principle of free movement of
people. It said it would examine the implications for its relations with
Switzerland, taking into account the position of the government, which
had urged citizens to vote 'no'.
"For us, EU-Swiss relations come as a package," said Hannes Swoboda, a member of the European Parliament. "If Switzerland suspends immigration from the EU, it will not be able to count on all the economic and trade benefits it is currently enjoying. We will not allow ... cherry-picking."
In
a vote, 50.3 percent backed the "Stop mass immigration" initiative,
which also won the required majority approval in more than half of Swiss
cantons or regions, Swiss television said. The outcome
obliges the government to turn the initiative, spearheaded by the
right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), into law within three years.
It
reflects growing concern among the Swiss population that immigrants are
eroding the nation's distinctive Alpine culture and contributing to
rising rents, crowded transport and more crime. Net
immigration runs at around 70,000 people per year on average. Foreigners
make up 23 percent of the population of 8 million, second in Europe
only to Luxembourg. "This is an enormously important
decision because the direction must now be shifted," SVP politician Luzi
Stamm told Swiss television. "The Swiss population have said that,
instead of free movement of people, quotas have to be introduced."
The
Swiss system of direct democracy - which allows for up to four national
referenda per year - means popular dissatisfaction can be translated
into action relatively easily. However, such concerns
are being echoed around the EU's wealthier countries, where
anti-immigration parties such as the UK Independence Party look set to
make big gains in elections to the European Parliament in May.
"I fear a 'yes' from Switzerland would set off a further round of debate about free movement of persons in the EU," European Parliament President Martin Schulz told the Swiss newspaper NZZ am Sonntag ahead of the vote.
The
provisions of the initiative require the restriction of residence
permits for foreign nationals, including cross-border commuters and
asylum seekers, according to quotas, the government said in a statement.
These limits will now need to be defined at a legislative level, it said.
Swiss to hold referendum on anti-mass-migration hurdles
On
Sunday, the Swiss vote on whether to restrict immigration to their
country. The ramifications of a yes vote, experts say, could be huge. To
their shock, the referendum has a decent shot at passing.
Swiss
voters are going to the polls on Sunday in a nationwide referendum on
immigration which is being watched closely right across Europe.
The
proposal, from the right-wing Swiss People's Party, calls on
Switzerland to abandon its free movement of people treaty with the
European Union and introduce strict quotas on immigration. Switzerland
is not a member of the EU, but has adopted large sections of EU policy,
including free movement and the Schengen open-borders agreement, in
order to have access to Europe's single market. Brussels has always insisted that the Swiss will not be allowed to cherry-pick only the aspects of EU policy they like. But its successful economy, and soaring unemployment in many eurozone countries, make Switzerland a very attractive destination
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