Switzerland are holding another referendum.
Discussion
“ Switzerland will vote on Sunday whether to end its agreement with the EU on the free movement of people, in a referendum with echoes of the pro-Brexit campaign that led to Britain’s decision to leave the bloc.
The largest party in the Swiss parliament, the rightwing, anti-immigration Swiss People’s party (SVP), has called for the vote, arguing that the country must be allowed to set its own limit on the number of foreigners coming in to work.
However, polls forecast the SVP will not be successful, with one this week finding 63% of respondents opposed the party’s proposal – suggesting voters want stability at a time of economic uncertainty amid the coronavirus pandemic.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/25/swis...
Not just one referendum either.....
“ What to expect from Switzerland’s five referendums on 27 September“
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2020/09/03/what...
Let’s hope those in power get the answer they want or we could have a re-run now that there is a precedent.
“ The result of a nationwide referendum has been overturned for the first time in modern Switzerland's history.
The poll, held in February 2016, asked the country's voters whether married couples and co-habiting partners should pay the same tax.
Voters rejected the proposal, with 50.8% against and 49.2% in favour.
But the supreme court has now voided the result on the grounds that voters were not given full information, and the vote must be re-run.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47879777
The largest party in the Swiss parliament, the rightwing, anti-immigration Swiss People’s party (SVP), has called for the vote, arguing that the country must be allowed to set its own limit on the number of foreigners coming in to work.
However, polls forecast the SVP will not be successful, with one this week finding 63% of respondents opposed the party’s proposal – suggesting voters want stability at a time of economic uncertainty amid the coronavirus pandemic.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/25/swis...
Not just one referendum either.....
“ What to expect from Switzerland’s five referendums on 27 September“
https://blogs.lse.ac.uk/europpblog/2020/09/03/what...
Let’s hope those in power get the answer they want or we could have a re-run now that there is a precedent.
“ The result of a nationwide referendum has been overturned for the first time in modern Switzerland's history.
The poll, held in February 2016, asked the country's voters whether married couples and co-habiting partners should pay the same tax.
Voters rejected the proposal, with 50.8% against and 49.2% in favour.
But the supreme court has now voided the result on the grounds that voters were not given full information, and the vote must be re-run.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-47879777
In their circumstances I can't see them voting for it.
I did read that their population has gone up from 6.6m to 8.8m since 1990 I think (double our rate of expansion for example), and a good chunk of that is from the EU though. At some point that sort of rise will be deemed too unhealthy. I just doubt it's now.
I did read that their population has gone up from 6.6m to 8.8m since 1990 I think (double our rate of expansion for example), and a good chunk of that is from the EU though. At some point that sort of rise will be deemed too unhealthy. I just doubt it's now.
Watching this with interest.
Swiss neutrality has been an accepted norm for years and their legendary 'liberal' banking system was largely ignored by all sides. Why was that I wonder?
In accepting EU rules regarding FOM, in order to freely trade with their neighbours, this may ultimately be their undoing? My guess, FWIW, is the status quo will continue but with an extra layer of bureaucracy to 'limit' the number of residents!
Swiss neutrality has been an accepted norm for years and their legendary 'liberal' banking system was largely ignored by all sides. Why was that I wonder?
In accepting EU rules regarding FOM, in order to freely trade with their neighbours, this may ultimately be their undoing? My guess, FWIW, is the status quo will continue but with an extra layer of bureaucracy to 'limit' the number of residents!
coppernorks said:
Cheesy peas, amazing the UK managed to run a democracy without the need for refererenda until 1973.
Isn't that what we elect representatives for, to make decisions on our behalf ?
Swiss approach is very, very different. Isn't that what we elect representatives for, to make decisions on our behalf ?
It's also (to my mind) utterly brilliant. Whilst culturally there are some elements I really struggled with when working there - the ability to have reasoned debate and to be engaged politically (and for that to be the norm) was superb.
I can't see a route to migrate to a similar approach for us though.
Sway said:
coppernorks said:
Cheesy peas, amazing the UK managed to run a democracy without the need for refererenda until 1973.
Isn't that what we elect representatives for, to make decisions on our behalf ?
Swiss approach is very, very different. Isn't that what we elect representatives for, to make decisions on our behalf ?
It's also (to my mind) utterly brilliant. Whilst culturally there are some elements I really struggled with when working there - the ability to have reasoned debate and to be engaged politically (and for that to be the norm) was superb.
I can't see a route to migrate to a similar approach for us though.
Gecko1978 said:
Their country pretty much they can do what they like.
Maybe, but they have been well known for doing their own thing, keeping their heads down, and not really getting involved in taking sides, or participating in European wars for the last few centuries which makes it seem all the more strange that they
have Military Service and the highest handgun ownership in Europe,
Just who are they thinking is gonna invade and ..................what are they hiding ?
coppernorks said:
Cheesy peas, amazing the UK managed to run a democracy without the need for refererenda until 1973.
Isn't that what we elect representatives for, to make decisions on our behalf ?
We did.Isn't that what we elect representatives for, to make decisions on our behalf ?
What we expected is that we lend that power to those elected for four years.
So that in four years time - we could give it to someone else if they abused it.
What we did not expect is that the treacherous f
kers would give the power to a third body so it would be nigh impossible to wrestle it back from them.“ Swiss voters have rejected in a referendum a proposal to end an accord with the EU on the free movement of people, TV projections suggest.
Broadcaster SRF said voters were set to reject the plan by 62% to 38%.
Ballots are still being counted, and final results are due within hours.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54316316
Broadcaster SRF said voters were set to reject the plan by 62% to 38%.
Ballots are still being counted, and final results are due within hours.”
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54316316
Another referendum, this time in Geneva where the people there have voted for an increased minimum wage of 23 CHF per hour (~$25). That’s the highest minimum wage in the world.
“ Geneva voters on Sunday came out in support of introducing a minimum wage, guaranteeing every worker in one of the world's priciest cities at least 23 francs ($25) an hour.”
https://www.thelocal.ch/20200927/geneva-voters-app...
“ Geneva voters on Sunday came out in support of introducing a minimum wage, guaranteeing every worker in one of the world's priciest cities at least 23 francs ($25) an hour.”
https://www.thelocal.ch/20200927/geneva-voters-app...
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