Swiss perspectives in 10 languages

Frontex vote heats up with demonstration in Bern

posters
Frontex, “oui ou non”? Vote campaign posters this week in Geneva. © Keystone / Martial Trezzini

Opponents of the decision to boost Switzerland’s financial contribution to the European border agency Frontex staged a demonstration in the capital on Saturday, ahead of a nationwide vote on May 15.

The rally was called by around 80 different groups including NGOs, left-wing parties, and churches, who attacked the “wall-building” policies symbolised by Frontex. Organisers claimed 3,000 people showed up, while news agencies and the local Berner Zeitung paper said “around a thousand”.

The opponents say Frontex is responsible for human rights violations at Europe’s external borders, where its job is to track down illegal immigration and criminal smuggling. Its backers, including the government and centrist and right-wing parties, say Switzerland – as a member of Europe’s border-free Schengen area – is obliged to play its part in contributing to the policing of its borders.

Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter has even intimated that a “no” vote could lead to Switzerland leaving the Schengen system altogether. The opponents say rejecting the finance increase for Frontex would give Switzerland more clout to push for a reform of it.

More

Negative polls

After a majority in parliament approved the boost in annual funding last year – from CHF24 million to CHF61 million by 2027 – left-wing groups and NGOs successfully collected the 50,000 signatures needed to force a referendum.

Opinion polls ahead of the May 15 vote don’t look good for the “no” side: a survey in the second half of March found 63% already planning to vote in favour of the issue.

The Frontex vote is one of three on the ballot for Swiss voters on May 15: the others are a proposal to make organ donation consent presumed, and a law to make online streaming platforms contribute more cash to Swiss film production.

Most Read
Swiss Abroad

Most Discussed

News

Swiss Armed Forces have around 147,000 personnel

More

Number of Swiss armed forces exceeds specified limit

This content was published on The Swiss armed forces had an effective headcount of around 147,000 as of March 1, 2024. This exceeds the upper limit of 140,000 specified in the army organisation by 5%.

Read more: Number of Swiss armed forces exceeds specified limit
Two men charged by the MPC with money laundering

More

Two Swiss men charged with money laundering

This content was published on One million francs, 34 million euros and around 830 kilos of gold: this is the fortune that two Swiss nationals are accused of having moved across borders for at least four years.

Read more: Two Swiss men charged with money laundering
Richemont reports lower first-half results

More

Richemont reports lower first-half results

This content was published on Geneva-based luxury goods group Richemont reported a downturn in performance for the first half of its 2024/25 financial year. Both sales and profit declined.

Read more: Richemont reports lower first-half results

In compliance with the JTI standards

More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative

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.

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR

SWI swissinfo.ch - a branch of Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SRG SSR