海角大神

Why Swiss voters rejected plan to limit jobs for EU citizens

Voters in Switzerland on Sunday defeated a nationalist party plan to limit the number of European Union citizens allowed to live and work in their country.

First Look

Voters in Switzerland on Sunday strongly defeated a nationalist party鈥檚 proposal to limit the number of European Union citizens allowed to live and work in their country.

Swiss public broadcaster SRF reported that the measure was rejected by 61.7% of voters, with 38.3% in favor. All but four of the country鈥檚 26 cantons, or states, likewise opposed the plan 鈥� proposed by the Swiss People鈥檚 Party (SVP) 鈥� to give preferential access to jobs, social protection and benefits to people from Switzerland over those from the 27-nation bloc that surrounds it.

The freedom-of-movement measure was being considered alongside nationwide votes on several other issues.

SRF reported that a majority of voters backed plans for paid paternity leave and for the purchase of up to 6 billion francs (about $6.5 billion) worth of new fighter planes by 2030. Voters rejected measures on the right to hunt wolves to keep their population down and on increasing tax breaks for child care.

that under聽the new 鈥減aternity law, which is expected to apply beginning Jan. 1, biological fathers will be able to take the 10 days of leave within six months of the birth of a child. They will be entitled to receive 80 percent of their salary at a daily cap of 196 Swiss francs, or about $210, though companies can choose to extend the duration of the leave or increase the percentage of salary paid out.鈥�

The government had warned that the plan to limit EU citizens could further strain the rich Alpine鈥檚 country鈥檚 deep and lucrative ties to the EU. It could also have triggered reciprocal disadvantages for millions of Swiss citizens if they want to live or work in the EU.

鈥淓specially at this time, during the difficult economic situation caused by the corona crisis, good relations with our neighbors and with the EU are important,鈥� Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter said, welcoming the outcome of the vote.

She said Switzerland would continue to pursue a 鈥渂ilateral path鈥� with the EU, eschewing membership of the bloc while seeking close economic ties with it.

In a nod to the misgivings many Swiss have about the country鈥檚 big neighbor, Keller-Sutter acknowledged that 鈥渇reedom of movement doesn鈥檛 just have benefits.鈥�

鈥淭he Federal Council only wants as much immigration as necessary,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat continues to be our goal.鈥�

Roughly 1.4 million EU citizens live in the country of about 8.6 million, while around 500,000 Swiss live in EU countries. Some are dual citizens and wouldn鈥檛 have been affected by any restrictions.

In a similar referendum in 2014, the Swiss narrowly voted in favor of limiting EU citizens鈥� freedom to live and work in Switzerland. Lawmakers, however, refused to fully implement that referendum fearing a hefty impact on Swiss society and businesses, prompting the People鈥檚 Party to get the issue back on the ballot again this year.

Since the last vote, Switzerland has witnessed the turmoil that Britain鈥檚 2016 referendum to leave the European Union has caused, especially for EU citizens in the U.K. and Britons living on the continent. Britain left the EU in January, but is in a transition period until the end of the year with prospects for a deal on future relations between London and Brussels still uncertain.

Voter Yann Grote in Geneva said he didn鈥檛 approve of further limiting freedom of movement.

鈥淚鈥檓 not at all in favor, and even more now, because it鈥檚 not a time to isolate Switzerland,鈥� he said.

Fellow voter Elisabeth Lopes agreed.

鈥淚鈥檓 a daughter of immigrants, so it is a matter that touches me,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f Switzerland had to withdraw or reduce these agreements [with the EU], I think we would be the real losers.鈥�

In Brussels, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen welcomed the result of the referendum, calling it 鈥渁 positive signal to continue to consolidate and deepen our relationship.鈥�

She also urged Switzerland to approve a series of agreements negotiated between the country and the EU in 2018, but not yet ratified.

Sunday鈥檚 turnout was higher than in most recent referendums, almost 60% of voters going to the polls or casting their ballots by mail.

This story was reported by The Associated Press. Frank Jordans reported from Berlin. Raf Casert in Brussels contributed to this report.