kind of a Swiss version of Brexit

[Anonymous]

I read Switzerland is like the Singapore of Europe in that it's dependent on foreign labour.



Voters in Switzerland will decide in a referendum whether European Union citizens should be allowed to work and live in the country, a vote that could drastically alter the landlocked nation's relationship with its neighbours.



Switzerland is not a member of the EU but has signed up to some of its key principles, like the free movement of people.



This means EU citizens can live and work in Switzerland, and vice versa for Swiss nationals elsewhere in the bloc.



It also allows Switzerland to participate in the EU's single market, the free movement of goods and services.



But a referendum - referred to as the "limitation initiative" - on Sunday, September 27, seeks to stop the free movement of EU citizens in Switzerland, making it difficult for companies to hire them.



Switzerland's right-wing People's Party (SVP) had put the immigration initiative on the ballot for May but the referendum has been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic.



Swiss voters will decide the fate of EU citizens along with four other more nationally focussed referendums.



The initiative would also impact the 460,000 Swiss citizens living in the EU.



Some have called this something of a Swiss Brexit since the country has adopted several provisions of EU law through bilateral treaties.



Major policy changes in Switzerland are often made by referendum as part of a system that incorporates direct democracy.



Polling so far suggests that it will not pass, with the latest RTS poll showing that some 63% of Swiss voters were opposed versus just 35% for the initiative.



Researchers say the coronavirus pandemic could be influential because it showed voters that international cooperation was needed to tackle the crisis and that the economy was impacted by the halt of traffic.



But, added Sciarini, some border cantons such as Ticino may vote in favour.



"There are lots of cross border workers who come from Italy," he said, which puts pressure on wages. He explained that it's a canton that has been "critical of European integration".

https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/25/switzerland-immigration-referendum-will-the-swiss-vote-to-end-eu-freedom-of-movement">https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/25/swi ... f-movement">https://www.euronews.com/2020/09/25/switzerland-immigration-referendum-will-the-swiss-vote-to-end-eu-freedom-of-movement

[Anonymous]

There are other referendums as well for Swiss voters to decide.



What other referendums will Swiss voters decide on?

There are four other referendums expected to take place on September 27.



Voters will determine whether to spend CHF 6 billion (€5.5 billion) on updating fighter aircraft, in a referendum that polls show as likely to pass.



Swiss voters will also decide on paternity leave, with Switzerland being one of the only European countries where paternity leave is not guaranteed. The referendum vote could guarantee two weeks of paternity leave for new fathers.



They will also be asked to determine whether to change the hunting law to allow townships to better control wolf populations and voters will be asked whether there should be an increase to the maximum childcare tax deduction.



The more than 5 million eligible Swiss voters are recommended to vote yes by parliament and the Federal council on these four more nationally focussed referendums.

[Anonymous]

Cheap labour aside. Vote yes to zero immigration.

[Anonymous]

I like the Swiss model of direct democracy.

[Anonymous]

Sometimes the Swiss vote against referenda that benefit the working class.