Switzerland’s conservative UDC party, which launched the controversial initiative to curb mass European immigration last February, is contemplating a new one. In a statement, the party said it would seek to ensure the Federal Council “annuls the agreement with the EU on the free circulation of people” as required by its initiative.
Yves Nidegger, Conseiller national and member of the UDC
The UDC suspects that Bern is trying to avoid implementing the vote, which it must do within three years. However, given talk of a counter-initiative by centre and left-wing parties, UDC officials believe the Council may resort to cosmetic changes. Encouraged by the right-wing surge in the recent EU elections, the party’s strategy would open a new front against Bern. According to 24 Heures, this includes President Burkhalter, who has proposed a vote in 2016 to renew institutional relations with Brussels. This, the UDC argues, is being presented as an either/or between bilateralism and isolationism.
For Geneva UDC MP Yves Nidegger, “Doing nothing would not be appropriate.” While a new anti-immigration referendum cannot be launched in time for the 2015 federal elections, the UDC plans to keep up the pressure. But this may not prove easy. The right-wing parties are suffering from their own internal divisions, and other groups who view the UDC as “authoritarian” are moving to neutralize the 9 February vote through better use of the democratic process.
