Immigration quotas approved by voters

A controversial anti-immigration initiative won the Swiss electorate’s backing on February 9, 2014. On the same day, voters rejected a proposal that called for abortions to be removed from basic health insurance. In a third vote, the Swiss gave their support to a government plan to boost the funding of railway infrastructure.

Vote February 9, 2014

Foreign workers No quotas, say business leaders

Switzerland’s leading business groups say that strict quotas are not the way to handle last February’s vote to limit immigration.

Human rights ‘In most countries, migrants just disappear’

As Switzerland prepares to restrict the number of foreigners entering the country, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the human rights of ...

By Scott Capper

Immigration curbs Swiss cabinet admits Croats to labour market

The Swiss government has confirmed that Croatian citizens will have access to the Swiss labour market despite voters’ wish to re-introduce ...

By Urs Geiser

Issues at stake - Initiative to limit immigration

No dead end Swiss will not vote on revoking immigration quotas

A Swiss group seeking to reverse a decision to introduce immigration quotas on European Union nationals is withdrawing its initiative.

Switzerland-EU Prominent Swiss party prepares for new immigration vote

One of Switzerland’s largest and most influential political parties says it may call for a national re-vote on an initiative to curb immigration. ...

Switzerland-EU New immigration vote ‘inevitable’, says EU

Just over a year after Swiss voters approved an initiative to curb immigration, Brussels’ chief negotiator with Switzerland has rejected ...

By swissinfo.ch and agencies

Issues at stake - Funding of abortions

Voters’ choice Abortions to remain covered by health insurance

Swiss voters have rejected an initiative to drop abortions from basic health insurance. The vote came after conservatives launched an initiative ...

By Susan Misicka

A private or public matter? Voters to decide who pays for abortions

Voters are deciding on Sunday whether abortions should be covered by basic health insurance in Switzerland. The vote comes after conservatives ...

By Susan Misicka

Family planning clinic To abort or not, helping women figure it out

Deciding whether to go through with an unplanned pregnancy can be difficult. Staff members at a clinic in Bern offer support to women of all ages ...

By Susan Misicka

Issues at stake - Railway infrastructure

Bombardier New trains in million-franc legal dispute

Bombardier Transportation is demanding a reported CHF326 million ($360 million) from Swiss Federal Railways in connection with the biggest rolling ...

Smoother ride? Swiss railways could benefit from fresh cash boost

Voters have been asked to give the seal of approval to a wide-ranging package that would put future Swiss railway infrastructure investments on a ...

By Christian Raaflaub

On track Swiss defend global rail record

Despite a decrease in mileage on the previous year, Switzerland remains the most train-loving nation in the world – with the average resident ...

In pictures Cartoonists unimpressed by immigration vote

The decision by 50.3% of Swiss voters to limit the number of foreigners allowed into Switzerland is an own goal that has only made the country ...

Switzerland’s direct democracy How the Swiss political system works

Together with neutrality and federalism, direct democracy is a part of the Swiss national identity and helps unite the various languages, ...

By Michele Andina

Democracy in action Going to the polls

A vote weekend in Switzerland - ballots are cast at local, cantonal and national levels. Swiss citizens are called to cast their votes several ...

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Immigration quotas approved by voters

Vote February 9, 2014

Foreign workers No quotas, say business leaders

Human rights ‘In most countries, migrants just disappear’

Immigration curbs Swiss cabinet admits Croats to labour market

Issues at stake - Initiative to limit immigration

No dead end Swiss will not vote on revoking immigration quotas

Switzerland-EU Prominent Swiss party prepares for new immigration vote

Switzerland-EU New immigration vote ‘inevitable’, says EU

Issues at stake - Funding of abortions

Voters’ choice Abortions to remain covered by health insurance

A private or public matter? Voters to decide who pays for abortions

Family planning clinic To abort or not, helping women figure it out

Issues at stake - Railway infrastructure

Bombardier New trains in million-franc legal dispute

Smoother ride? Swiss railways could benefit from fresh cash boost

On track Swiss defend global rail record

Additional content about the topic

Content about the topic

In pictures Cartoonists unimpressed by immigration vote

Switzerland’s direct democracy How the Swiss political system works

Democracy in action Going to the polls

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