Swiss End-EU free movement

[Zethor]

The Swiss have a 30% trade surplus with the EU. If they're not interested in the EU and what it stands for, I think it's best for them to look elsewhere for trade partners.

Put a tax on all goods and services imported in the EU and watch them referse their vote with their tails between their legs one year later.

 

[D.P.]

All mystics frinds are incredibly embarrassed and apologetic over this, lots of a Facebook chatter exclaiming their shock and dislike over so e of their fellow countrymen.

Things like this actually are pushing Switzerland into potential segregation and devolvement. The Swiss romande and Ticino would love to seperate from them the Germans parts and join the EU.

 

[englishpremier]

Is there a non-sensationalist summary anywhere that highlights the key changes this would mean for UK nationals wishing to immigrate to Switzerland?

I doubt it yet, as it will take the Swiss government and the EU years to work out new treaties. It won't just come to an abrupt halt.

 

[Atlas23]

They literally can't do anything, Sweden is not in the EU, not in the Economic Zone and now not in Schengen.

Does this mean that we won't have Ikea in the UK??

I like-ah da svedish meat bahls

 

[Mr Badger]

Does this mean that we won't have Ikea in the UK??

I like-ah da svedish meat bahls

That's enough of your UKIP propaganda.

 

[englishpremier]

Kit Kats are going to be expensive.

 

[Lopéz]

Keen to see how this will all play out when it's negotiated with the EU.

It could hurt the Swiss economy massively, with duties on all Swiss good making them uncompetitive. In future there could be complications for Swiss living in other EU countries.

They'll need to re-establish all their border check points and stuff too.

Switzerland already has border check points - though generally this is for customs formalities rather than full passport control.

 

[englishpremier]

I've never seen any.

I last entered via Luxembourg and exited via France. Not a checkpoint in sight.

They are part of the Schengen area. It was voted for in 2005 and implemented in 2009. All Schengen area countries are borderless with each other.

 

[D.P.]

I've never seen any.

I last entered via Luxembourg and exited via France. Not a checkpoint in sight.

They are part of the Schengen area. It was voted for in 2005 and implemented in 2009. All Schengen area countries are borderless with each other.

Switzerland has border controls at all major points of entry for customs reasons. I've lived there for 5 years.

 

[englishpremier]

Well they will need people actually manning them. As said I entered via Luxembourg. No one was around, no passport shown or anything. I just rode right on in.

Same with leaving.

 

[Lopéz]

Well they will need people actually manning them. As said I entered via Luxembourg. No one was around, no passport shown or anything. I just rode right on in.

Same with leaving.

There's your problem. You weren't entering Switzerland. You were only about 300km out though.

 

[englishpremier]

Haha. I rode right into centre of Berne. Even saw the bears, and went into the river. Finding the Campsite was a pain. Loads of bridges and small windy roads.

I guess I confused you with saying I entered via Luxembourg. Obviously they don't share a border I came in on the German side. Luxembourg was my last stop before entering. I then rode clockwise around Lake Geneva into France and followed Routes des Grande Alps down to Menton.

Was a good tour.


Anyway, I've not seen anything at all on the News so far about this decision. I thought it would be a main feature with in-depth analysis and interviews. Seem the UK is getting like the US and couldn't care less about things happening outside it's borders. The lack of response in this thread seems to show that.

 

[jas72]

And this is why we shouldn't allow the general public a referendum on anything which has economic consequences, as they are, for the most part quite ignorant of the facts.

Immigration issues are usually driven by fear and when afraid we don't have rational logical thoughts.

I don't have the answers to unhindered economic migration but believe that stemming the flow of people does nothing to help.

 

[randomshenans]

Switzerland already has border check points - though generally this is for customs formalities rather than full passport control.

You trying going through there everyday. Customs is their number one priority, but you get asked to produce valid IDs all the time.

 

[grumpysculler]

And this is why we shouldn't allow the general public a referendum on anything which has economic consequences, as they are, for the most part quite ignorant of the facts.

But democracy means giving a voice to the stupid, ill-informed, prejudiced and selfish. And then respecting that voice.

 

[Zethor]

But democracy means giving a voice to the stupid, ill-informed, prejudiced and selfish. And then respecting that voice.

The issue here is the lack of accontability. If the stupid vote for a stupid representative that does stupid things, the representative will be held accountable for the consequences.

Who will be held accountable if the EU decides to consider all the treaties with the Swiss null, sending their economy into oblivion? Frankly, I don't know how they managed to avoid such issues for so long. What has stopped them from doing things like cuting all taxes by 90%?

 

[englishpremier]

Yep that's the problem with democracy. It relies on the general public that often don't have a clue about the facts, can't make rational decisions and vote on emotion instead.

Kind of like the situations when western countries go war in the middle east, and set up democracies, only for those countries to vote in someone more extreme than their previous ruler.

 

[Tuppy_Glossop]

Switzerland is a direct democracy such that issues of great national import are put directly to public vote rather than being decided by the elected representatives. It is a great system and means that the politicians have a smaller chance to misuse their mandate.

People talk about EU-Swiss trade as if the EU can live without it. I'm sure it could but, in these hard financial times, how do you think Switzerland's existing EU trade partners will like the Swiss being taxed out of the game ?

 

[grumpysculler]

Who will be held accountable if the EU decides to consider all the treaties with the Swiss null, sending their economy into oblivion?

Presumably the No campaign (aka Project Fear?) made clear the possible consequences and still the nation voted for it. Therefore the people can be held accountable.

Realistically, I think there will have to be a second vote. What has been voted for is, in isolation, not possible or legal. Switzerland cannot drop free movement and keep every other benefit so I expect another referendum on "here's the modified arrangement without free movement and we have also lost XYZ. Vote whether to adopt it or maintain the old arrangement."

People talk about EU-Swiss trade as if the EU can live without it. I'm sure it could but, in these hard financial times, how do you think Switzerland's existing EU trade partners will like the Swiss being taxed out of the game ?

I think that where there is a political point to be made (such as not using the EU treaties as some sort of pick 'n' mix menu) then if the great powers deem the hardship to be bearable then they will inflict it. It would be considered the lesser of two evils.

 

[kitch9]

And this is why we shouldn't allow the general public a referendum on anything which has economic consequences, as they are, for the most part quite ignorant of the facts.

Immigration issues are usually driven by fear and when afraid we don't have rational logical thoughts.

I don't have the answers to unhindered economic migration but believe that stemming the flow of people does nothing to help.

Uhm, voting in a general election has economic consequences. A lot just vote the same way their dad did, just because, others just vote the way The Sun tells them to. Some refuse to vote Tory because some of them went to Eton and their nan says that was bad..

The Swiss have a 30% trade surplus with the EU. If they're not interested in the EU and what it stands for, I think it's best for them to look elsewhere for trade partners.

Put a tax on all goods and services imported in the EU and watch them referse their vote with their tails between their legs one year later.

Unfortunately this appears to be the way of the federalist headbangers running the EU. If people will not toe the line, FORCE them too.