Is The E U S S R Smothering Switzerland?

[ToraToraTora]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54269138
how do you think the vote will go?

[webbo3]

I think they will vote to end it and it will be the first of many countries.

[Peter Pedant]

so many post brexit important questions
I can hardly keep up

[ichkeria]

“I think they will vote to end it and it will be the first of many countries.”

Switzerland’s situation is pretty much unique so unlikely to be first of many I’d have thought.
Also unlikely to support the SVP it would seem.
Interesting to see that Brexit is a word with an awful resonance even in Switzerland :-)

[New Judge]

Switzerland has manged its relationship with the EU (and its predecessors) via a series of individual treaties covering separate topics such as trade, transport and so on. Switzerland has had to steadily relinquish a lot of its sovereign rights (such as border control – the subject of this question) as part of these treaties. This seemed to work OK until about ten years ago when the EU began to pressurise Switzerland to enter into an all-encompassing agreement which comes very close to “associate” membership of the EU and provides the EU with far more say over Switzerland’s affairs.

To a great extent Switzerland is largely in the same position as the UK was over Brexit. In order to maintain its unfettered trading ties with the EU and for its citizens to have the right to live and work in the EU, it will have to continue to relinquish its sovereignty. This referendum will probably decide what way its people want to go. The matter of free movement has already been aired. In 2014 the Swiss (who hold, on average, four referendums each year) voted for quotas to limit EU immigration into the country. As with Brexit, the stakes are high – a vote to end free movement will probably see an end to the country’s current trading arrangements with the EU and a far more restricted arrangement take its place.

[pixie374]

I'd be surprised if every country doesn't want free trade, without wanting unlimited immigration. Maybe we are getting there

[THECORBYLOON]

Had a quick look at the list of referenda the Swiss have had and they often have votes on several issues on the same day.

In the period from 1991-2000, they had 105 referenda.

[youngmafbog]

"Interesting to see that Brexit is a word with an awful resonance even in Switzerland "

Well only if you listen to the opinions of those that want it to be. I have a friend who lives in Switzerland and he says most people simply dont care about Brexit one way or another.

How will this go? One can never tell but the Swiss are proud of their neutrality and independence so I guess it will depend on how many of them feel that is currently under threat.

[Togo]

What?? You mean that the EUSSR has been changing the terms of treaties that were agreed with the Swiss, or laws as our remainiacs like to call them, to suit their own ends?

[Old_Geezer]

Sounds like the Swiss were SOINO (Still out in name only).

These things tend to be on a knife edge, it all depends on whether the majority fear an inability to take the hit so vote to remain under control, or whether they are confident in themselves and value independence. It's likely to be a close run thing, but I'm not holding my breath that they'll change anything.

[Sunk]

Is The E U S S R Smothering Switzerland?

No. Switzerland is totally surrounded by EU countries, so an agreement for free travel is very necessary.

How do you think the vote will go?
They will vote against ending freedom of movement.

5 countries share a border with Switzerland. Cities like Barsel and Geneva are on the border and its residents work and commute into the neighbouring countries several times a week.
Ending freedom of travel would greatly inconvenience many people. They depend on easy cross-border access. Northern Ireland voted remain for very similar reasons.

The proposal is from a far right party who have 6 MPs out of 46, so they are not universally popular in Switzerland.

[ichkeria]

Your very first AB post, er, deserves BA

:-)

[ToraToraTora]

yes very good answer sunk, BA duly awarded.

[Sunk]

// These things tend to be on a knife edge... It's likely to be a close run thing //

No it isn’t...

// Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to end an agreement with the European Union on the free movement of people, TV projections suggest.
Broadcaster SRF said voters were set to reject the plan by 63% to 37%. //

[Sunk]

A correction.

I got my Swiss Authorities in a twist above. I said they had 6 members out of 46 in Parliament. They have 6 out of 46 in the Council of States. In the Federal Assembly which is their Parliament, they are the largest party. Apologies for my error, I didn’t intend to mislead you.

[Togo]

//Apologies for my error, I didn’t intend to mislead you.//

Don't worry....we are used to it.

[ichkeria]

You got the result of the referendum wrong too sunk.

A mere 61.7% threw out the vote to self-isolate :-)