Swiss voters appear to reject the proposal to limit the number of EU citizens living and working in the country

VOTERS IN SWITZERLAND are voting today on a nationalist party’s proposal to limit the number of European Union citizens who are allowed to live and work in the country.

Projections based on partial counts indicated that a majority of voters had rejected the measure, championed by the populist Swiss People’s Party, according to public broadcaster SRF.

The measure had proposed granting preferential access to jobs, social protection and benefits to the Swiss over those of the surrounding 27-nation bloc.

If passed, the proposal would have further strained the rich Alpine country’s deep and lucrative ties with the EU, of which it is not a member.

It could also lead to reciprocal disadvantages for millions of Swiss citizens if they want to live or work in the EU.

Approximately 1.4 million EU citizens live in the country of about 8.2 million, while some 500,000 Swiss live in EU countries.

In a similar referendum in 2014, the Swiss voted narrowly in favor of limiting the access of EU citizens to live and work in Switzerland.

Politicians refused to fully implement the referendum for fear of a strong impact on Swiss society and businesses, prompting the People’s Party to put the issue back on the ballot this year.

Since the last vote, Switzerland has witnessed the turmoil caused by the 2016 British referendum to leave the European Union, especially for EU citizens in the UK and Britons living on the continent.

Voter Yann Grote said he did not agree with further limiting freedom of movement.

“I am not at all in favor, and more so now, because it is not the time to isolate Switzerland,” he said.

Elisabeth Lopes agreed and said: “I am the daughter of immigrants, so it is a matter for me.

“If Switzerland were to withdraw or reduce these agreements (with the EU), I think we would be the real losers.”

The freedom of movement measure was being considered alongside nationwide votes on paternity leave, childcare tax breaks, the purchase of billions of pounds worth of new fighter jets and the right to hunt wolves to keep their population low.