Right-wing plans ban on free movement of people

Sunday’s vote to ban further construction of minarets in Switzerland stunned the Muslim community, rattled the government, drew widespread international criticism and indicated that a majority of the population was veering towards a less tolerant society.

On Tuesday, reports began to emerge over another right-wing initiative – this time from the Swiss Democrats – to reverse the free movement of persons agreement with the European Union.

Albeit a far less influential power that the Swiss People’s Party (SPP) – the major force behind the minaret ban – the Swiss Democrats have nonetheless timed their announcement to dovetail with current sentiment and, if legally permitted, the drive to collect 100,000 signatures required to force a vote will be launched in the spring.

Bernard Hess, secretary-general of the Swiss Democrats told Swisster: “Our problem is that we have had a very fast immigration over the past two years with the European Union, and we want to stop this bad situation.”

But Stefan Brupbacher, secretary-general of the country’s Radical-Liberal Party called the initiative “an attack on the welfare and the prosperity of Switzerland, which totally goes against the free will of citizens who voted for the free movement people in February by 60 per cent.”

Edgar Britschgi, president of the British Swiss Chamber of Commerce (BSCC), an organization whose clients would be adversely affected by another ban, told Swisster: "The BSCC generally does not interfere in state issues in Switzerland; on the other hand it's very important that intelligence, capital, and human resources can flow freely between these markets. It is our opinion Switzerland will further benefit [from the free movement agreement].

"We will be speaking to our contacts and would take a stand if it comes to a vote," he added.

Hess’s party is concentrating on three issues, of which salary dumping provides most ammunition for the cause. “Even with good qualifications immigrants will work for little money,” he said. Wage dumping refers to the undercutting of salaries; Bern introduced protection measures in June 2004.

“The second problem is that in places such as Zurich and Geneva this [free movement of persons] creates problems with apartments – they become more expensive and less available.”

“Switzerland is overpopulated – that’s the third problem,” he added before denying that the initiative contained any sinister undertones.

“We’re talking about Germans, the French and others, like in Poland – they are all Europeans like Swiss people – therefore this initiative is not racist,” maintained Hess, an experienced politician who has spent eight years in federal parliament, representing canton Bern.

News of the plan took Amnesty International Switzerland by surprise and spokeswoman, Manon Schick was cautious when she told Swisster: “We will have to examine the text and see if it’s contradictory with any international conventions – we want to see how far it goes before making any comment.”

The Swiss Democrats say they have already garnered the support of two other modest but growing right-wing parties: the League of Ticinese and the Geneva Citizen’s Movement.

However, the SPP too, has expressed its doubts over the free movement of people and recently called for the government to tear up the bilateral agreement and reopen negotiations.

Some on the left – in particular the unions – also have issues with salary dumping, and the economic crisis and current sentiment factors have Brupbacher concerned that support for the new proposal will gather momentum.

“Some Socialists say that the bilateral treaties are running into trouble and the right is trying to cash in this fear,” he said.

If permission for the initiative is granted, the Swiss Democrats will have 18 months to gather signatures. Assuming they are successful, a subsequent vote will more-than-likely take place in 2011, just in time for the next federal elections. “That’s basic political tactics,” said Brupbacher.