Virus forces delay of vote on EU free movement deal
No need to count ballot sheets next May. The next set of nationwide votes was called off.
Keystone/Walter Bieri
The Swiss government has called off a planned nationwide ballot about a proposal to scrap an accord with the European Union on the free movement of people.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/urs
Español
es
Coronavirus obliga a posponer voto sobre inmigración
The vote was scheduled for May 17 alongside two other issues, including a controversial reform of the hunting law.
“The necessary measures to stem the spread of Covid-19 also affect the exercising of political rights, notably the organisation of nationwide votes,” the government announced on WednesdayExternal link.
“The current situation makes it impossible to hold public meetings,” it wrote. As a result, political parties and other organisations must do without gatherings and rallies to decide their position on the vote.
All major parties, business groups and trade unions have welcomed the decision to postpone.
The government said it will decide on a new date by the end of May. As a rule, up to four votes are held each year in Switzerland; a first ballot took place in February, leaving just two other possible dates in September and December.
The government said it also decided to suspend deadlines for the collection of signatures for people’s initiatives and referendums, as well as for parliamentary decisions on an initiative on the corporate responsibility of Swiss businesses.
Postponements of nationwide ballots under the Swiss-style direct democracy system are rare. In 1951, the government called off a vote due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in several regions of the country.
More
More
Swiss government shuts down public life amid spreading coronavirus
This content was published on
The Swiss government has declared an “extraordinary situation”, instituting a ban on all private and public events and closing gathering places.
Is your place of origin, your Heimatort, important to you?
Every Swiss citizen has a Heimatort, a place of origin, but many have never visited theirs. What’s your relationship with your Heimatort? What does it mean to you?
Switzerland is Europe’s most innovative country, EU study finds
This content was published on
In the European Commission's annual ranking, the Swiss score dropped slightly in 2025, but not enough to cost it top spot.
Women’s Euro 2025 has been largely peaceful so far
This content was published on
After two weeks of football fever in various Swiss host cities, no major incidents have been reported so far, police say.
Planned solar park at Bern airport scaled back after talks
This content was published on
The ground-mounted plant at Belpmoos Airport will be smaller than originally planned, the parties involved said on Tuesday.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Anti-EU immigration proposal would damage prosperity, government says
This content was published on
Two days after the latest nationwide votes, attention turns to the next ballots in May, which include a proposal by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party to take full national control of immigration. The initiative, which reflects worries among some Swiss about immigration in general, demands that the government scrap the freedom of movement agreement with…
This content was published on
Trade unions have said scrapping the freedom of movement agreement with the European Union, saying a “yes” vote would be “an attack on all workers”.
Signatures collected for vote on tax deduction for parents
This content was published on
Opponents of a proposal to increase tax deductions for parents have succeeded in collecting enough signatures to force a referendum on the subject.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.