Why suburbs voted for immigration curbs

The immigration vote revealed a big divide between urban and rural regions. But in the end it was the change of opinion in the suburbs that led to the outcome. (SRF/swissinfo.ch)

Around many Swiss towns, what were once villages have completely changed their character; farm houses are giving way to apartment blocks, neighbours no longer know each other.

It is this rapid change that contributed to a swing in favour of the initiative to curb immigration, which was accepted in a popular nationwide vote on February 9, despite warnings by most political parties and economic organisations that this could have a detrimental effect on Swiss prosperity.

The result of the vote means an end to the free movement of people, which allows EU citizens to live and work in Switzerland, and Swiss citizens to do the same in EU countries. Instead immigration quotas will be introduced. In the run-up to the vote, the European Union warned that this would be unacceptable, because free movement is one of its key principles; a whole range of treaties it has with Switzerland are now in question.