An opinion poll says that a majority of the Swiss are against European Union membership, despite the overwhelming "Yes" vote in a referendum on Sunday on a series of bilateral accords with the EU.

The poll found that just over 60 per cent of those questioned opposed EU membership, with only 35 per cent in favour. It was carried out by the French-language magazine, Hebdo, and Radio Suisse Romande.

While 58 per cent of French-speakers favoured EU membership, only 28 per cent of German-speakers supported the prospect, highlighting the socio-political divide between the language regions.

Those people polled who had voted "Yes" to the bilaterals on May 21 were asked whether, in doing so, they wanted to accelerate Switzerland's EU entry. Forty-seven per cent said this was the case, while 43 per cent said integration should go no further.

The poll also found that the image of the EU in Swiss minds is unclear, although not necessarily negative. However, those questioned said they disliked what they perceived as EU bureaucracy, and the body's tendency to interfere in the affairs of its member states.

swissinfo with agencies

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