Referendum in Switzerland this Sunday on controlling immigration from EU countries

[pampango]

Immigration vote tests Swiss ties with EU

Switzerland's ties with the European Union face a crunch test Sunday as voters decide whether to revive immigration quotas on EU citizens, in a referendum piloted by rightwing populists.

The referendum was the brainchild of the Swiss People's Party (SVP), the largest single force in parliament and known for campaigns taking aim at foreigners.

"Our initiative has only one goal: Switzerland has to be able to control the quantity and the quality of immigration again. Uncontrollable immigration is always, and everywhere, a disadvantage for a wealthy country," SVP lawmaker Luzi Stamm told AFP.

"Switzerland can't just pick and choose," Viviane Reding, vice president of the EU's executive branch, told Swiss media. She insisted free movement was part of a binding package of seven accords benefitting Switzerland and the EU alike -- some 430,000 Swiss live in EU countries, for example.

http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140206/immigration-vote-tests-swiss-ties-eu



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area

Sounds like the vote will be close. Though Switzerland is not in the EU, it does most of its business and trade with it and 430,000 Swiss live and work in other EU countries. This could be interesting.

[seveneyes]

1. Uncontrolled immigration

What to do if it starts to lower the standard of living of everyone in the target country?