We are the Other Half

Abstract

The 9th February 2014 has influenced international and Swiss public opinion. Many observers questioned the impact of the vote accepted by a slight majority of the Swiss people. The European Commission regretted the decision, the BBC warns that it ``could spell disaster for Switzerland's booming economy'' (Foulkes 2014), the NY Times presented it as ``a move that could have far-reaching implications for Switzerland's relations with the European Union'' and that ``certainly won't be good for the economic vitality and prosperity in this country'' (Eddy 2014). On this date, the Swiss People's Party (SVP) referendum ``against mass immigration'' was accepted with 50.3% of the votes in its favour. The initiative called for a limit to be imposed on the number of foreign nationals residing in Switzerland by introducing numerical ceilings and quotas, and thus calling into question the free movement of persons. The vote marked a further stage in implementing anti-immigration policies in the country.