Virus forces delay of vote on EU free movement deal
No need to count ballot sheets next May. The next set of nationwide votes was called off.
Keystone/Walter Bieri
The Swiss government has called off a planned nationwide ballot about a proposal to scrap an accord with the European Union on the free movement of people.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/urs
Español
es
Coronavirus obliga a posponer voto sobre inmigración
The vote was scheduled for May 17 alongside two other issues, including a controversial reform of the hunting law.
“The necessary measures to stem the spread of Covid-19 also affect the exercising of political rights, notably the organisation of nationwide votes,” the government announced on WednesdayExternal link.
“The current situation makes it impossible to hold public meetings,” it wrote. As a result, political parties and other organisations must do without gatherings and rallies to decide their position on the vote.
All major parties, business groups and trade unions have welcomed the decision to postpone.
The government said it will decide on a new date by the end of May. As a rule, up to four votes are held each year in Switzerland; a first ballot took place in February, leaving just two other possible dates in September and December.
The government said it also decided to suspend deadlines for the collection of signatures for people’s initiatives and referendums, as well as for parliamentary decisions on an initiative on the corporate responsibility of Swiss businesses.
Postponements of nationwide ballots under the Swiss-style direct democracy system are rare. In 1951, the government called off a vote due to an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in several regions of the country.
More
More
Swiss government shuts down public life amid spreading coronavirus
This content was published on
The Swiss government has declared an “extraordinary situation”, instituting a ban on all private and public events and closing gathering places.
Should raw milk sales be banned or should consumers decide?
Swiss food regulations do not allow raw milk to be sold for direct consumption. However, a loophole allows 400 raw milk vending machines to do just that.
COP29: Swiss NGOs call for strong financial support
This content was published on
Ahead of COP29, Swiss NGOs call for wealthy nations to pay $1,000 billion a year to help other countries solve climate problems.
Real Swiss wages likely to rise in 2025, says UBS bank
This content was published on
Higher wages and falling inflation are likely to boost Swiss purchasing power, which will be dragged back by rising health premiums.
This content was published on
Switzerland has a new tectonic map at a scale of 1:500,000, containing updates to geometry, distribution and nomenclature of the tectonic units.
This content was published on
Swiss artist Daniel Spoerri, known for his artworks using leftover food with dirty cutlery and crockery, has passed away in Vienna at the age of 94.
Climate change tipped to alter Swiss avalanche patterns by 2100
This content was published on
Climate change is expected to result in fewer avalanches overall in Switzerland but to increase the danger of wet snow avalanches by 2100.
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
Anti-EU immigration proposal would damage prosperity, government says
This content was published on
Two days after the latest nationwide votes, attention turns to the next ballots in May, which include a proposal by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party to take full national control of immigration. The initiative, which reflects worries among some Swiss about immigration in general, demands that the government scrap the freedom of movement agreement with…
This content was published on
Trade unions have said scrapping the freedom of movement agreement with the European Union, saying a “yes” vote would be “an attack on all workers”.
Signatures collected for vote on tax deduction for parents
This content was published on
Opponents of a proposal to increase tax deductions for parents have succeeded in collecting enough signatures to force a referendum on the subject.
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.