RRI Live!

Listen to Radio Romania International Live

EU-Switzerland Relationships after Referendum to Cap Immigration

The outcome of Sunday’s referendum in Switzerland initiated by the far right Democratic Union of Centre has caused a wave of reactions across Europe. 50.3% of Swiss voters were in favour of restricting immigration to their country, backing the reintroduction of a quota on immigration, especially from the European Union, and a strict control of the number of immigrants depending on the needs of the country’s economy, one of the strongest in Europe.

EU-Switzerland Relationships after Referendum to Cap Immigration
EU-Switzerland Relationships after Referendum to Cap Immigration

, 10.02.2014, 14:00

The outcome of Sunday’s referendum in Switzerland initiated by the far right Democratic Union of Centre has caused a wave of reactions across Europe. 50.3% of Swiss voters were in favour of restricting immigration to their country, backing the reintroduction of a quota on immigration, especially from the European Union, and a strict control of the number of immigrants depending on the needs of the country’s economy, one of the strongest in Europe.



The government in Bern said it would take into account people’s wish and quickly put it into practice. The vice-president of the party that initiated the referendum, Oskar Freysinger, hopes the Swiss vote will be a source of inspiration for other European countries as well. The French far right was quick to respond, hailing the “Swiss people’s lucidity”, while the Austrian far right described the outcome of the vote as a great success. Italy’s populist Northern League party say they will be calling for a similar referendum in their country, while Britain’s UK Independence Party has welcomed the Swiss vote as “wonderful news for national sovereignty and freedom lovers”.



Four months ahead of the elections for the European Parliament, these reactions risk fuelling tensions among Europeans. The European Union has expressed its dissapointement and said it would reexamine its future relationship with Switzerland. With a population of 8 million people, Switzerland is not part of the Union, but has in place a number of bilateral agreements with the bloc and has agreed to open its labour market for Europeans following intense talks with the EU. In the opinion of the European Union, the Swiss referendum and its outcome contradict the principle of free movement governing these agreements.



According to the EU commissioner for justice, fundamental rights and citizenship Viviane Reding, more than two thirds of Europeans believe free movement is beneficial for their countries. Laszlo Andor, the commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion also noted that people go where the jobs are and that both migrant workers and their country of origin, as well as the host country stand to gain from this.



About 23% of the people in Switzerland are foreign and they are largely blamed for the country’s infrastructure problems and wage dumping. Many wonder what will Switzerland do without its foreign workers. Many Italian, French and Austrian citizens cross the border into Switzerland every day to work in specialised fields such as research, micromechanics, constructions and tourism. So according to many, Switzerland itself may be the biggest loser of Sunday’s referendum.

Signing of the protocol (foto:
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

Transition program towards F-35, launched

The Romanian Air Force’s transition program to 5th generation aircraft has been launched.   Romania’s decision to acquire advanced fighter...

Transition program towards F-35, launched
Energy (foto: EdWhiteImages / pixabay.com)
Today in the News Friday, 22 November 2024

The National Energy Strategy, adopted

Using local resources, reducing imports and making massive investments in production capacity are important elements of the new National Energy...

The National Energy Strategy, adopted
European Commission (photo: © European Union - Source: EC - Audiovisual Service / Photographer: Christophe Licoppe)
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

Political agreement on the new European Commission

    The leaders of the three major political groups in the European Parliament have given the green light to the members of the next...

Political agreement on the new European Commission
Photo: aep.ro
Today in the News Thursday, 21 November 2024

13 for Romania

    In Romania, presidential elections usually spark the greatest interest and emotions. Even more so this year, when the two rounds of the...

13 for Romania
Today in the News Wednesday, 20 November 2024

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading

On Tuesday, the Romanian company Romgaz launched its first issue of bonds on the Bucharest Stock Exchange, worth 500 million EUR. Romgaz is the...

Romania’s natural gas, available for trading
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania ahead of the presidential election

Next month, President Klaus Iohannis will end his second and last five-year term in office according to the Romanian Constitution. The so-called...

Romania ahead of the presidential election
Today in the News Tuesday, 19 November 2024

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels

NATO welcomes Romania’s continuous efforts and its significant contribution to strengthening the Alliance and Euro-Atlantic security, NATO...

Romania’s Prime Minister on a visit to Brussels
Today in the News Monday, 18 November 2024

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Romania’s economic growth estimate has been recalculated by the European Commission (EC), at a value well below the initially established...

Downward forecast from the European Commission

Partners

Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român Muzeul Național al Țăranului Român
Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS Liga Studentilor Romani din Strainatate - LSRS
Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online Modernism | The Leading Romanian Art Magazine Online
Institului European din România Institului European din România
Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti Institutul Francez din România – Bucureşti
Muzeul Național de Artă al României Muzeul Național de Artă al României
Le petit Journal Le petit Journal
Radio Prague International Radio Prague International
Muzeul Național de Istorie a României Muzeul Național de Istorie a României
ARCUB ARCUB
Radio Canada International Radio Canada International
Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti” Muzeul Național al Satului „Dimitrie Gusti”
SWI swissinfo.ch SWI swissinfo.ch
UBB Radio ONLINE UBB Radio ONLINE
Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl Strona główna - English Section - polskieradio.pl
creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti creart - Centrul de Creație Artă și Tradiție al Municipiului Bucuresti
italradio italradio
Institutul Confucius Institutul Confucius
BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți BUCPRESS - știri din Cernăuți

Affiliates

Euranet Plus Euranet Plus
AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters AIB | the trade association for international broadcasters
Digital Radio Mondiale Digital Radio Mondiale
News and current affairs from Germany and around the world News and current affairs from Germany and around the world
Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona Comunità radiotelevisiva italofona

Providers

RADIOCOM RADIOCOM
Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company Zeno Media - The Everything Audio Company