Archive – Democracy

Economics minister: ‘We misjudged it’

This content was published on Feb 10, 2014 “I was actually confident,” he told the Eco news programme on Swiss public television, SRF, on Monday. “I said to myself that this affects the entire country – directly or indirectly it affects every workplace. Therefore the Swiss will consider particularly carefully whether there should be a new system or not.” As it turned out,…

Newspapers stress significance of immigration vote

This content was published on Feb 10, 2014 Most papers draw a comparison with the vote in 1992, when the Swiss people narrowly rejected membership of the European Economic Area, the predecessor of the European Union. The business-friendly Neue Zürcher Zeitung writes that the decision is “much more than a political slap in the face”, calling it a “watershed” comparable to that of…

Cautious European reaction to Swiss vote

This content was published on Feb 9, 2014 The European Commission in a terse statement said the result of the vote went against the accord on the free movement of people between the EU and Switzerland. “The EU will examine the implications of this initiative on EU-Swiss relations as a whole. In this context the position of the Swiss government on the result…

Swiss agree to curb immigration and rethink EU deal

This content was published on Feb 9, 2014 The initiative was approved by just 50.3% of votes cast and was passed by a majority of cantons. The move by the Swiss People’s Party – known for its anti-foreigner and anti-EU agenda – will see the reintroduction of quotas, as well as a national preference when filling job vacancies and restrictions of immigrants’ rights…

Abortions to remain covered by health insurance

This content was published on Feb 9, 2014 Voter turnout on Sunday was about 56%; of those, 69.8% rejected the initiative. The highest percentage of “no” votes – 89.1% – was cast in canton Vaud. Only one canton said “yes”: Appenzell Inner Rhodes, with 50.9% of the votes. Backed by an inter-party committee made up essentially of conservative Christians, the initiative called for the introduction…

Voters to decide who pays for abortions

This content was published on Feb 8, 2014 Backed by an inter-party committee made up essentially of conservative Christians, the people’s initiative was signed by about 110,000 voters – making it eligible for a popular vote. It calls for the introduction of a new article in the federal constitution and states that abortion and foetal reduction (the elimination of one or more embryos…

Protest vote could be decisive at ballot box

This content was published on Jan 29, 2014 Supporters of the initiative, “against mass immigration”, by the rightwing Swiss People’s Party have increased their share by 6% since the end of December to 43%. At the same time opponents lost 5% and now have 50%. (For details see graphic below) “Parties to the right have succeeded in particular in mobilising their grassroots across the…

EU migrants seen as social system freeloaders

This content was published on Jan 29, 2014 “Free movement of workers was devised to allow European citizens to come and work in Switzerland. Today, however, there is an increasing number of people who, driven by the crisis, arrive in our country without a contract or remain after losing their jobs. This is at the expense of the social welfare system,” says People’s…

How Swiss and British migration debates differ

This content was published on Jan 28, 2014 In both Switzerland and Britain there is considerable scepticism towards the EU among parts of the population, and the free movement of people which it promotes looms large in public debate in both countries. As of January 1 Romanians and Bulgarians have had free access to Europe’s single labour market. For its part, Switzerland is…

Anti-immigration vote challenges EU relations

This content was published on Jan 24, 2014 Experts predict rising tensions along with countermeasures with unforeseen consequences if the rightwing Swiss People’s Party’s initiative “against mass immigration” passes at a nationwide vote on February 9. “I imagine there would be a great deal of legal uncertainty and Switzerland would find itself under constant pressure,” said Thomas Cottier, director of the Institute of…

Archive – Democracy

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Archive – Democracy

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Economics minister: ‘We misjudged it’

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Newspapers stress significance of immigration vote

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Cautious European reaction to Swiss vote

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Swiss agree to curb immigration and rethink EU deal

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Abortions to remain covered by health insurance

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Voters to decide who pays for abortions

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Protest vote could be decisive at ballot box

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EU migrants seen as social system freeloaders

More

How Swiss and British migration debates differ

More

Anti-immigration vote challenges EU relations

Popular Stories

Most Discussed