Swiss voters back strict quotas on immigration from European Union countries
SWITZERLAND has voted to impose immigration quotas by a margin of 50.4 per cent, casting doubt over the future of the nation’s involvement with the EU.
Although the country is not a member of the EU, it has adopted a number of its policies, including the passport-free Schengen regime that allows citizens to cross European borders without being subject to checks.
The referendum vote was championed by opposition politicians in the country who believe that a policy to allow EU citizens the same employment rights as Swiss nationals, adopted in 2000, was a mistake. The vote was expected to be close but most commentators did not think immigration quotas would be adopted. Turnout for the vote was 56 per cent. Ukip leader Nigel Farage welcomed the news: “The Swiss people have taken advantage of their position outside the European Union to set their own immigration rules in their own national interest and I congratulate them for doing so,” he said.
The Labour party and the Conservatives declined the opportunity to comment on the news, despite politicians from both parties speaking out in favour of tighter control over economic migration.