Citizenship vote campaign gathers pace
The rightwing Swiss People's Party says local voters should have the final say on granting Swiss citizenship to foreigners.
Launching its campaign ahead of a nationwide ballot on June 1, the party said a decision by the Federal Court in 2003 to ban ballot box votes on naturalisations was an infringement of citizens’ rights.
Party officials added that it was too easy for foreigners to receive a Swiss passport under current laws.
The People’s Party said it was mounting a large publicity drive to force a widespread debate on the issue.
Three of the four main political parties and the government have come out against the People’s Party proposal.
In 2004 voters rejected a plan to ease citizenship for second and third-generation foreigners in Switzerland.
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