Voters given new choices in Swiss immigration saga

In the latest twist to the long-running saga over Swiss immigration controls, the government has issued two alternatives to a new initiative that aims to torpedo the 2014 vote on the issue. The government had already spoken out against the so-called ‘Out of a Dead End’ initiative that urges voters to reverse the 2014 decision to curb ‘mass immigration’. In line with the normal Swiss political process, cabinet issued two potential counter-proposals on Wednesday, which will go to consultation. The convoluted process reflects the difficulty Switzerland is facing in implementing the anti-mass immigration initiative without violating its obligation to allow free movement of persons from the European Union. The impasse has soured Swiss-EU relations, with Brussels insisting that the free movement bilateral treaty cannot be compromised. The Out of the Dead End initiative was handed in 14 months ago, but no date for the vote has been set. Cabinet refused to back the ...