Last week, Switzerland’s parliament voted against an initiative put forward by the Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) to limit immigration into Switzerland, according to RTS.
The idea was rejected by 123 votes to 63. The UDC was the only party to support it.
If a majority of Swiss voters support the initiative the government would have one year to negotiate an end to free movement of people with the EU.
Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said the initiative could trigger a Swiss Brexit by ending Switzerland’s bilateral agreements with Brussels, something that could have a serious economic impact.
The UDC warned that Switzerland’s population could rise from 8.5 to 10 million if there is no change.
In 2014, a narrow majority of Swiss voters (50.3%) accepted a plan to allow the government to control immigration into Switzerland from the EU. This eventually resulted in a compromise that gives Swiss residents priority over foreign ones when applying for jobs.
More on this:
RTS article (in French) – Take a 5 minute French test now
For more stories like this on Switzerland follow us on Facebook and Twitter.
