Switzerland will amend the immigration referendum – but only after 2015

Political parties are already negotiating for avoiding a breach in the bilateral relationships with the EU. According to a poll, a vast majority of Swiss citizens agree.

Swiss citizens value the EU and, after last week’s referendum willing to limit foreign workers’ entrance in their country, politicians are working hard to avoid a tragic breach of the relationships with the Union. The Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which proposed the referendum and won the vote, said they are ready to discuss, given a condition: a new minister with portfolio in the Government of the Confederation.

Yet, everything is probably going to be as it is until next year, when federal political elections are to be held: they will draw a new equilibrium in the political balance. Then, there will be plenty of time to amend the situation (with a new referendum, perhaps?) before 2017, when the Swiss Government will have to implement the referendum outcome.

According to a poll released yesterday by “SonntagsBlick”, Blick.ch Sunday Edition, 74% of respondents said they are against a unilateral abandonment of UE treaties, and only 19% said they are in favour.

Toni Brunner, SVP President, said his party “is ready to take on its responsibilities, but we must be recognised another seat in the government.” Here, Swiss people split: 46% are in favour, 44% against.