Welcome to Switzerland: Swiss voters have extended the welcome mat giving citizens of ten new EU countries the right to live and work in Switzerland. The outcome sparked renewed debate surrounding Switzerland's potential membership in the European club of nations.
| Auteur | Anderson, Robert |
| Fonction | REFERENDUM COUNTDOWN |
Some analysts interpreted the September yes-vote as support for EU membership while others said it signals continuing support for the existing arrangement--namely our bilateral agreements with Europe. Whatever your interpretation, Switzerland is showing a willingness to open up to its European neighbours.
After saying yes to joining 15 EU countries in a passport-free zone back in June, Swiss voters have now extended the Swiss/EU labour accord on the free movement of people to include the new EU. Precautions will be taken against wage dumping and problematic surges in immigration, but the move means 75 million people from mostly eastern-European countries will ultimately need no permit to live and seek work here.
Numbers paint the picture
With opinion polls still registering steady resistance to EU membership, the September vote was expected to be close. Approval by 56 per cent of voters, in a relatively well-attended referendum, was considered a surprisingly clear result.
Nineteen of Switzerland's 26 cantons were on board. Although opposed by Ticino and six German-speaking cantons, most German- and French-speaking areas of the country said yes. Three out of four Swiss living outside Switzerland voted in favour. (*See sidebar) The outcome paves the way for implementation of the accord in January 2006.
Reaction
Some analysts see Switzerland moving closer to the EU. Certainly, EU officials in Brussels expressed their satisfaction with the outcome of the September referendum, touting it as another step toward Switzerland's integration into Europe.
The European Commissioner for External Relations, Benita Ferrero-Waldner, said the Swiss have to decide whether to pursue the bilateral approach or become a full-fledged member of the EU. That view was echoed by Diana Wallis, head of the EU parliamentary delegation responsible for relations with Switzerland. She said the country will not be pressured, but she is "not convinced" that the complex relationship of bilateral agreements can continue in this way.
The Swiss have opted for bilateral agreements with EU states since voters firmly rejected membership in the European Economic Area in 1992. The Swiss government recently said it would consider later in the year whether to withdraw or revive its application for EU membership.
Many political analysts say the Swiss voted yes because they were simply afraid that a no-vote would undermine their bilateral agreements. By the same token, Swiss living...
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