Money yes, immigrants no. At least not all. The country with the friendliest banks in the world, Switzerland, has approved a referendum "against mass immigration": the yeses reached 50,3%. A narrow victory: 1.463.954 ballots in favor against 1.444.438 against. The consultation was approved in 17 cantons, including Ticino (with the highest percentage of yes, 68,17%). Nine cantons against.
The initiative, promoted by the right-wing and anti-European party of the Democratic Union of the Center (UDC/SVP), establishes the reintroduction of ceilings for the immigration of foreigners. At this point, in all likelihood, most free movement agreements with the European Union will have to be renegotiated.
In general, French-speaking Switzerland tended to vote against the initiative, while the majority in the German-speaking cantons voted in favour. Now the Government has three years to transform the indication into a legislative provision.
The European Commission said it "regrets" the approval of a law "contrary to the principle of free movement of persons between the EU and Switzerland".
In the Canton of Ticino there are over 59 Italian cross-border commuters. If a new agreement is not reached between Bern and Brussels, there could also be restrictions for them.
