Cabinet to limit immigration with safeguard clause

The Swiss cabinet announced in December 2015 it wanted to limit immigration from the European Union with a safeguard clause as part of its efforts to implement an initiative approved by voters in February 2014.

In March 2016 Roberto Balzaretti, the head of the Swiss mission to the EU in Brussels, told EurActiv that the deal negotiated by the United Kingdom in February 2016 (in the context of the Brexit debate) allowing it to limit the free movement of workers coming from the European Union, might also act as a blueprint for Switzerland.

• Primary Source

EurActiv, 05.12.15: Swiss edge toward possible ‘Swexit’ from EU bilateral pacts http://www.euractiv.com/sections/global-europe/swiss-edge-toward-possible-swexit-eu-bilateral-pacts-320153

ESO: Background information: Parliament shifts to the right http://www.europeansources.info/record/parliament-shifts-to-the-right/

ESO: Background information: Swiss agree to curb immigration and rethink EU deal http://www.europeansources.info/record/swiss-agree-to-curb-immigration-and-rethink-eu-deal/

The Local.ch, 30.11.15: Bern near deal with EU on immigration: report http://www.thelocal.ch/20151130/bern-nears-deal-with-eu-over-free-movement-accord

ESO: Find all further information on the February 2014 referendum in Switzerland relating to immigration and subsequent developments http://www.europeansources.info/advSearchLink?keyword=switzerland%20referendum%20february%202014%20immigration%20&searchOption=all

EUObserver, 04.12.15: Switzerland threatens EU immigration quota https://euobserver.com/foreign/131392

EurActiv, 15.03.16: Brexit deal on EU migrants inspires Switzerland http://www.euractiv.com/section/uk-europe/news/brexit-deal-on-eu-migrants-inspires-switzerland/

EurActiv, 30.06.16: Schulz: Switzerland and EU need to find compromise on immigration http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/schulz-switzerland-and-eu-need-to-find-compromise-on-immigration/

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