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The EU - Switzerland relationship at a stand following the referendum results
Alexandra Mănăilă - Reporter
10 March 2014
The results of the referendum held on 9 February in Switzerland, when 50.5% of participants voted for the reintroduction of immigration quotas, with a direct impact upon the free movement of Union citizens, were intensely debated in the European Parliament (EP) plenum. The referendum initiative belonged to the Democratic Union of the Centre party (DUC, the right-wing populist party).
During the debates the main political groups in the EP expressed their discontent with the referendum results and requested both Switzerland and the EU to find solutions so that Switzerland should comply with its obligations undertaken through the agreements in force. By introducing immigration quotas no differentiation is made between European and third country nationals, which brings prejudice to one of the fundamental rights associated with the European citizenship: free movement.
The referendum result was appreciated by László Andor - European Commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion - as having a major impact upon the relationships between Switzerland and the EU, considering that it is about a fundamental European principle – persons’ right to free movement. The same official noted that about 440.000 Swiss nationals live, study and work in EU countries at present. The vote of a minority population questions previously signed agreements between Switzerland and the EU. Moreover, Switzerland has not signed the protocol on the free movement extension with Croatia, the latest country joining the EU in 2013. In such circumstances some voices maintain the need to cancel the negotiations for Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon 2020 and Erasmus + programmes. Andor mentioned that „the free movement of citizens and workers is not negotiable”.
The implications of the referendum results are complex, both on the free market and exports, and on new employment. Opinions are different at EU level, some officials believe that the referendum results may fuel xenophobic and discriminatory attitudes towards migrants, while others believe that Switzerland listened to the local community’s voice, who feels the pressures upon the administration and the institutional system as a result of migration.
Source: European Parliament
During the debates the main political groups in the EP expressed their discontent with the referendum results and requested both Switzerland and the EU to find solutions so that Switzerland should comply with its obligations undertaken through the agreements in force. By introducing immigration quotas no differentiation is made between European and third country nationals, which brings prejudice to one of the fundamental rights associated with the European citizenship: free movement.
The referendum result was appreciated by László Andor - European Commissioner for employment, social affairs and inclusion - as having a major impact upon the relationships between Switzerland and the EU, considering that it is about a fundamental European principle – persons’ right to free movement. The same official noted that about 440.000 Swiss nationals live, study and work in EU countries at present. The vote of a minority population questions previously signed agreements between Switzerland and the EU. Moreover, Switzerland has not signed the protocol on the free movement extension with Croatia, the latest country joining the EU in 2013. In such circumstances some voices maintain the need to cancel the negotiations for Switzerland’s participation in the Horizon 2020 and Erasmus + programmes. Andor mentioned that „the free movement of citizens and workers is not negotiable”.
The implications of the referendum results are complex, both on the free market and exports, and on new employment. Opinions are different at EU level, some officials believe that the referendum results may fuel xenophobic and discriminatory attitudes towards migrants, while others believe that Switzerland listened to the local community’s voice, who feels the pressures upon the administration and the institutional system as a result of migration.
Source: European Parliament
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