Parliament has been holding a major debate about plans by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party to limit immigration and cancel a deal on the free movement of people with citizens from the European Union.
This content was published on
2 minutes
swissinfo.ch/urs
Español
es
Debate sobre propuesta para restringir inmigración
The House of Representatives is set to come out against a people’s initiative handed in by right-wing groups in August 2018 demanding a nationwide vote on the issue.
After six hours of debate on Monday, the debate was adjourned until next week. More than 80 parliamentarians are scheduled to address the house.
The People’s Party warns the population of Switzerland could soon reach ten million, from the current total of 8.5 million, if nothing is done to curb the influx of immigrants.
However, no other major political party is likely to support the proposal. The government has also dismissed the plans. They argue approval of immigration restrictions would further undermine strained ties with the 28-nation bloc, notably a series of bilateral agreements.
Ahead of elections
Observers say the debate is a platform for right-wing groups with anti-EU and anti-foreigner agendas to draw public attention ahead of the parliamentary elections in October.
Latest polls found that the People’s Party is losing ground but it is still clearly ahead of any other party.
The Senate, the other parliamentary chamber, is to discuss the initiative before the government sets a date for the nationwide ballot.
This content was published on
There has been much debate in Swiss politics on right-wing plans for immigration caps over the past 50 years – to harsh criticism of xenophobia.
Swiss central banker wants to boost equity to head off risks
This content was published on
Equity levels at the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are much too low for the risks its large balance sheet poses, according to Martin Schlegel.
Beer sales in Switzerland watered down by bad weather
This content was published on
The past brewing year fell through in Switzerland, partly due to the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again. For the first time, per capita consumption fell below the 50 liter mark.
Compensation for Syrian after pregnant wife denied help on Swiss train
This content was published on
Switzerland’s Federal Court has partially upheld the appeal of a Syrian family being deported from Switzerland to Italy in 2014. The man now also receives compensation.
Swiss-EU negotiations: Cassis to meet Sefcovic in Bern
This content was published on
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis will meet the Vice-President of the EU Commission, Maros Sefcovic, in Bern on Wednesday.
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
Improving EU economy sparks plunge in Swiss immigration
This content was published on
The number of European Union workers arriving in Switzerland halved last year from a 2013 peak, falling to 30,799 in 2017.
Brussels fears Swiss plan could discriminate EU citizens
This content was published on
That was the message from Mario Gattiker, head of the State Secretariat for Migration, who attended a special meeting in Brussels on Tuesday, called by Brussels to learn more about how Switzerland planned to implement an initiative which called for limits to EU immigration. Gattiker emphasised that he was not in Brussels to negotiate –…
Job priority for Swiss residents to kick in at 8% unemployment rate
This content was published on
At a press conference on Friday, the Swiss justice minister, Simonetta Sommaruga, announced the government’s plans for implementing the 2014 popular vote in favour of immigration quotas for workers from European Union countries. The vote has caused a headache for the government as it violates the EU’s clause on the free movement of people. A…
This content was published on
Switzerland's relations with the 28-member EU are founded on a series of bilateral sectoral accords, which give it many benefits of membership.
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.