Tired of the never-ending flow of migrants, Switzerland has initiated a plebiscite inspired by the idea of Brexit.
The country intends to terminate the agreement with the EU on the free movement of people. The relevant issue will be raised at a referendum to be held next Sunday.
The vote was initiated by the largest parliamentary faction of the Swiss People’s Party, which is known for its right-wing views and the fight against migration. The party insists on setting a limit on the number of foreigners who come to work.
Switzerland has a population of 8.6 million today, and a quarter of them are migrants. The number of foreigners in the country is projected to reach 10 million over the next 30 years. The Swiss People’s Party notes that migrants provoke an increase in unemployment among citizens of the country.
“Migrants are changing our culture,” says the website of the referendum campaign. – Squares, trains and streets are becoming less safe. In addition, almost half of all beneficiaries are foreigners. “
Opponents of the termination of the agreement with the European Union warn that Switzerland may thus reduce the number of migrants, but at the same time will lose skilled workers. Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it has over 120 treaties with the bloc. They relate to free trade, data exchange, agriculture, research, police cooperation, civil aviation, road transport, tourism, education, and pensions. If citizens support termination in a referendum, according to the government, at least six more agreements will expire.
However, it is currently unknown whether the Swiss People’s Party will succeed. A recent sociological survey shows that 63% of respondents opposed the termination of the agreement with the EU.