Bern In a referendum on Sunday, the Swiss rejected a proposal to repeal the agreement with the European Union on the free movement of persons. 61.7 percent of voters voted against, according to the final results of the referendum, which were reported by the Swiss media. The result was welcomed by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Swiss voters also voted on other issues. For example, they approved the purchase of new fighter jets or a two-week paternity leave.
The Swiss are voting in an important referendum. Among other things, they will decide on the free movement of people from the EU |
The plebiscite on restrictions on the free movement of European Union citizens was initiated by the nationalist Swiss People’s Party (SVP), according to which the current treaty allows for mass immigration into the country. According to Reuters, the vote was an important test of access to foreigners, who make up about a quarter of Switzerland’s population.
According to the final results, only 38.3 percent of voters were in favor of the GSP proposal, which was not supported by the Swiss government. He had the greatest support in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino and in three traditionally conservative, German-speaking cantons in the east of the country: Schwyz, Glarus and Appenzell Innerrhoden. The francophone cantons in the west of the country, especially Neuchâtel and Vaud, strongly opposed the proposal to restrict the free movement of people with the EU.
Rejection of the proposal to abolish free movement could bring new energy to the lengthy negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on cooperation. The Union wants to include all bilateral arrangements with Bern in a framework agreement that would guarantee their automatic transposition when EU law is amended. But conservative Swiss fear a creeping expansion of EU regulations in their country.
According to Swiss Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter, in a referendum on Sunday, the Swiss “reaffirmed stable, sustainable relations with our most important trading partner.” According to her, voters supported the current circle of the Swiss government in negotiations with the EU.
The head of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, described the result of the vote as a positive signal. “We want to further strengthen and deepen our relationship,” said von der Leyen. At the same time, she called for the approval of the negotiated framework agreement in the Swiss parliament.
Roughly two-thirds of the 2.1 million foreigners living in Switzerland last year were EU citizens, including the British, as well as Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein, three countries that, like Switzerland, are members of the European Free Trade Association. About 450,000 Swiss live in the EU.
Attendance on Sunday reached 58 percent
Swiss voters voted in four more referendums on Sunday. They refused to change the law on hunting, which would allow the cantons to allow the shooting of wolves. 51.9 percent of voters voted against. It is estimated that there are now 80 to 100 wolves living in the Alpine country, which has killed about 300 to 500 sheep and goats a year in the last decade. The proposal called for these beasts to be blasted if they did damage. A proposal to increase tax relief for families with children was also rejected, but it would mainly affect high-income groups.
Voters, on the other hand, approved the introduction of a two-week paternity leave, which men will be able to take in the first half of the year after the birth of a child. At the same time, they will receive 80 percent of their salary. The result of the plebiscite, which concerned the purchase of new battleships, is close. It was supported by 50.2 percent of voters, and the government will be able to buy new fighters for up to six billion francs (150 billion CZK). The existing ones need to be replaced by 2030. There were only 8670 more supporters of the purchase of new army aircraft than opponents.
5.4 million eligible voters could vote on Sunday. Attendance is usually below 50 percent, but on Sunday it reached 58 percent.
–
