Swiss vote 'yes' to restrict mass immigration from EU

Razor

STABLE GENIUS
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
7,701
Likes
9,099
Country flag
Swiss tight 'yes' vote on EU immigration ends free movement within bloc

Switzerland has voted 50.3 percent in favor of limiting annual migration from the EU, thus ending the policy of free movement within the bloc that was established in 2002.

Swiss voters narrowly decided that immigration quotas would be reintroduced, thereby overturning the free movement policy introduced in the European Union 12 years ago. Early results showed the country to be very divided in opinion over the 'Stop mass immigration' initiative.

'Stop mass immigration' was introduced by the nationalist Swiss People's Party (SVP). Its goal is to introduce annual quotas on the number of foreign workers entering the country. The result will likely vex multinational companies based there; Roche, Novartis, UBS, and other industry giants frequently utilize foreign labor.

A man walks past posters of the Swiss People's Party (SVP) promoting the initiative to expel foreigners, in Lausanne, November 28, 2010. The posters read 'Ivan S., rapist and soon to be Swiss ?' and 'Yes to the initiative to expel foreigners'. (Reuters / Valentin Flauraud)

Before Sunday's results were fully confirmed, it appeared that Swiss voters were completely divided over the issue, with early projections gauged from partial results and estimates showing a 50-50 split (with a three percent margin of error). Ten out of 26 cantons - state districts - and half-cantons had voted in favor of the initiative.

Public opinion institute Gfs.bern stated at first that the outcome seemed too close to call. However, it emerged by Sunday evening that more than half of Swiss cantons supported the move, according to Reuters.

Many in Switzerland - which is surrounded by the EU but is not a member - believe that rising immigration levels are putting pressure on infrastructure, rent prices, the social security system, and unemployment rates.

The SVP party has been campaigning for the amendment, saying that immigrants are destroying the nation's Alpine identity and taking away skilled jobs.

"Many people feel this is challenging their identity, even if there isn't any concrete economic impact on a personal level," Georg Lutz, professor of political science at the University of Lausanne Georg, told Reuters.

"I don't want to live like a sardine in a tin can," independent politician Thomas Minder, who supports the initiative, told tabloid newspaper Blick.

According to the latest data, 23 percent of the country's eight million inhabitants are foreigners – the second largest proportion in Europe after Luxembourg.

Many fear the initiative would have a negative impact on the economy, which relies on foreign workers for progress and a competitive edge.

Italians and Germans reportedly comprise the largest contingent of immigrants to Switzerland, most of whom seek work in IT, healthcare, and financial sectors.

Severin Schwan, Austrian CEO of Roche Pharmaceuticals, said about half of the employees at the research and development site in Basel, Switzerland are foreigners.

Hans Hess, head of Swissmem - a leader in electrical and mechanical engineering - believes that Switzerland's economy is successful because of innovation, which requires a steady stream of qualified immigrants.

"Innovation is the driver of the Swiss economy. That's why we need highly qualified workers inside Switzerland and from abroad," Hess said.

Indeed, four in every ten new companies were founded by foreigners, according to Orell Fuessli Wirtschaftsinformationen AG. Those new companies also created 30,000 jobs in 2013.

Other than a skilled workforce, immigrants benefit the economy through consumer spending. Credit Suisse reported that about 25 percent of private consumption growth since 2008 was thanks to foreigners.

The constitutional amendment could potentially erode Switzerland's relationship with the EU, which views the freedom of movement policy as a fundamental right.

Marine Le Pen, head of France's far-right party, French National, tweeted her support for the outcome. "Switzerland says no to immigration of the masses, bravo! The European Union will be sending the tanks?..."
Swiss tight 'yes' vote on EU immigration ends free movement within bloc — RT News

Looks like the Swiss got fed up of EU's policy on mass immigration (legal and illegal) from all over the world and have decided to do something about. Good job.
The question is who's next :)
 

feathers

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
1,821
Likes
851
Swiss tight 'yes' vote on EU immigration ends free movement within bloc




A man walks past posters of the Swiss People's Party (SVP) promoting the initiative to expel foreigners, in Lausanne, November 28, 2010. The posters read 'Ivan S., rapist and soon to be Swiss ?' and 'Yes to the initiative to expel foreigners'. (Reuters / Valentin Flauraud)



Swiss tight 'yes' vote on EU immigration ends free movement within bloc — RT News

Looks like the Swiss got fed up of EU's policy on mass immigration (legal and illegal) from all over the world and have decided to do something about. Good job.
The question is who's next :)
Swiss are not member of EU and they oppose even internal immigration from other European states . EU laws are good but the problem is with the attitude adopted by certain EU members states which is making things worst for the whole EU .
 

Razor

STABLE GENIUS
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
7,701
Likes
9,099
Country flag
Swiss are not member of EU and they oppose even internal immigration from other European states .
Yes Switzerland is not an EU member, why should they take in all the immigrants from the EU.

EU laws are good but the problem is with the attitude adopted by certain EU members states which is making things worst for the whole EU .
Vague statement, explain more.
 

feathers

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
1,821
Likes
851
Yes Switzerland is not an EU member, why should they take in all the immigrants from the EU.


Vague statement, explain more.
Why Swiss not in EU ? Is it because of the banking system ?

EU mainly goal was economic partnership among EU members states by which EU nationals will benefit which would let easy investment, more jobs, improvement of living standards, infrastructure and people to people contacts etc. The problem started with integration which here was learning language, understanding culture and historical realities which would end misconceptions but when internal immigration started EU nationals were not willing to learn language and even crime rate increased. Certain rich EU countries were not able to cope up with the sudden changes in all aspects of life. And to make EU nationals to integrate they started making immigrants from outside EU the base to make EU immigrants to learn the language etc which got backfired in such a way that integrated non EU immigrants started to feel the heat as they become scapegoats.
 

Razor

STABLE GENIUS
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
7,701
Likes
9,099
Country flag
Why Swiss not in EU ? Is it because of the banking system ?
Swiss people held referendum to not join the EU, it is their choice. But they do have close links to the EU including heavy migration from EU, which they have now voted to restrict.

EU mainly goal was economic partnership among EU members states by which EU nationals will benefit which would let easy investment, more jobs, improvement of living standards, infrastructure and people to people contacts etc. The problem started with integration which here was learning language, understanding culture and historical realities which would end misconceptions but when internal immigration started EU nationals were not willing to learn language and even crime rate increased. Certain rich EU countries were not able to cope up with the sudden changes in all aspects of life. And to make EU nationals to integrate they started making immigrants from outside EU the base to make EU immigrants to learn the language etc which got backfired in such a way that integrated non EU immigrants started to feel the heat as they become scapegoats.
You make some good points, which is why I said EU policy on immigration as it stands now, is doing more damage and may backfire due to it being unpopular with Europeans.
 

feathers

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
1,821
Likes
851
Swiss people held referendum to not join the EU, it is their choice. But they do have close links to the EU including heavy migration from EU, which they have now voted to restrict.
The referendum was made by keeping the banking system i think


You make some good points, which is why I said EU policy on immigration as it stands now, is doing more damage and may backfire due to it being unpopular with Europeans.
EU policymakers laid a very good policy but some EU countries are not willing to accept the EU charter
 

rock127

Maulana Rockullah
Senior Member
Joined
Aug 12, 2009
Messages
10,569
Likes
25,230
Country flag
Which EU countries are immigrating to Swiss the most?
 

Blackwater

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Messages
21,157
Likes
12,211
Swiss are not member of EU and they oppose even internal immigration from other European states . EU laws are good but the problem is with the attitude adopted by certain EU members states which is making things worst for the whole EU .
Yes Switzerland is not an EU member, why should they take in all the immigrants from the EU.


Vague statement, explain more.
swiss is an EU member since 2008. u can enter Swiss with schengen visa, u can use Euro as well as swiss frank every where in Swiss. EU Citizen can live and work in Swiss,even claim benfits
 

Razor

STABLE GENIUS
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
7,701
Likes
9,099
Country flag
swiss is an EU member since 2008. u can enter Swiss with schengen visa, u can use Euro as well as swiss frank every where in Swiss. EU Citizen can live and work in Swiss,even claim benfits
No, it is not an EU member.
There are treaties between Switzerland and the EU which allow for the points you mentioned.
 

Razor

STABLE GENIUS
Senior Member
Joined
Feb 7, 2011
Messages
7,701
Likes
9,099
Country flag
Which EU countries are immigrating to Swiss the most?
According to the OP article, about 23% of Swiss population is foreigners. Imagine that. It is no wonder that Swiss are taking action. I say good job.
Most of them seem to be from Germany and Italy and of course the African immigrants most of whom are from North Africa.
 
Last edited:

Blackwater

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Messages
21,157
Likes
12,211
Swiss are not member of EU and they oppose even internal immigration from other European states . EU laws are good but the problem is with the attitude adopted by certain EU members states which is making things worst for the whole EU .
No, it is not an EU member.
There are treaties between Switzerland and the EU which allow for the points you mentioned.
swiss is doing same as UK . both are member are EU
 

feathers

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
1,821
Likes
851
Which EU countries are immigrating to Swiss the most?
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/02/11/w...ion-vote-raises-alarm-across-europe.html?_r=0
Switzerland has one of the highest proportions of foreigners in Europe, amounting to about 27 percent of the country's population of roughly eight million. Many job seekers have arrived from countries hit hard by the European economic crisis.

Immigration has become a polarizing issue across Europe. More prosperous nations are growing worried that their welfare systems cannot handle an influx of workers from the poorer Eastern European countries and some southern member states of the European Union.
 

Blackwater

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 9, 2012
Messages
21,157
Likes
12,211
UK is even not EU member state.
The European Union comprises 28 sovereign member states:[53]
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom

 

feathers

Tihar Jail
Banned
Joined
Jan 21, 2014
Messages
1,821
Likes
851
The European Union comprises 28 sovereign member states:[53]
Austria
Belgium
Bulgaria
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Ireland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
United Kingdom

Thanks for the info. UK is EU member state
 

J.A.

Militants
Regular Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Messages
274
Likes
29
Rasism and fascism party Swedish Democrats wants smaller things about immigrants to homeland. Sure about this things. The Christ Democrats wants smaller groups also and Pirates party is 1 procent in voiting day 2014...4 procent is the marginal to join riksdan...and I wan't 1 of 3 partys in my voite in 2018. Pirates Party don't know the immigrants rules. Social Democrats want around 40.000 new and Centers and Left Party want at least 100.000 new most in the Swedish politic system. The rich partys want's under 75.000 new people. Whatever what Swedish politics wan't but I want KD or SD idea.

:india: :sweden:
 

amoy

Senior Member
Joined
Jan 17, 2010
Messages
5,982
Likes
1,849
Rasism and fascism party Swedish Democrats wants smaller things about immigrants to homeland. Sure about this things. The Christ Democrats wants smaller groups also and Pirates party is 1 procent in voiting day 2014...4 procent is the marginal to join riksdan...and I wan't 1 of 3 partys in my voite in 2018. Pirates Party don't know the immigrants rules. Social Democrats want around 40.000 new and Centers and Left Party want at least 100.000 new most in the Swedish politic system. The rich partys want's under 75.000 new people. Whatever what Swedish politics wan't but I want KD or SD idea.
don't get who's who. Pirates Party what's it?

humanitarian and professional criteria aside, how does Sweden cull immigrants? guess there're plenty of aspirants queuing to move to Sweden within Europe, like desperate Ukrainians or Greeks?

~Tapa talks: Orange is the new black.~
 

J.A.

Militants
Regular Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2015
Messages
274
Likes
29
Pirates Party is one new party since 2003 or 2006 and I will voite on them 2018 - maybe true story I like them. In Alliance with at least 4 procents what I wills.
 

Global Defence

New threads

Articles

Top