Fear of the economic crisis: difficult environment for the limiting initiative – News

It was a great success for the SVP when its Mass Immigration Initiative (MEI) won a majority at the polls on February 9, 2014. Six and a half years later, the problem is the limitation initiative, launched by the SVP as a ‘ implementation initiative »for the MEI. And according to the latest SRG survey, this is in a difficult position. This also has to do with the fact that the current situation and environment are different from 2014.

While immigration was one of the most pressing issues in the eyes of many people at the time, it plays a minor role in public discussion today.

Don’t compromise the bilateral path

The fear of an economic crisis appears to be much greater right now, especially in the wake of the corona pandemic, which has yet to pass. In this situation, many voters are likely to be afraid of jeopardizing the bilateral track.

But not only has the environment changed. Also in the text of the initiative, the MEI and the limitation initiative appear different. Although the 2014 initiative left some room for interpretation in the voting campaign, the end of the free movement of people is now much more immediate.

Therefore, it is obvious that opponents are calling the limitation initiative a “termination initiative” in the ongoing referendum campaign. Also: The fact that the SVP has been so preoccupied with itself and the arduous search for a new party president in recent months certainly did not help the yes campaign.

Migration will continue to be a problem

Is that off the table? No, this conclusion would not be enough. On the one hand, democratic respect requires waiting until Sunday to vote. No matter how clear the poll results are: in the end, the voters’ vote counts.

On the other hand, the issue of migration will remain a political issue regardless of the outcome of the vote. In the current SRG survey, the demand that Switzerland regulate immigration itself again received some boost. And depending on how the immigration numbers play out, the issue can become explosive again.

Elmar plozza

Interior editor

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Elmar Plozza has worked as a national editor at Radio SRF since 2007. Since 2013 he is deputy director of the national editorial team.