Swiss Rightists Oppose Romania’s Inclusion In Free Movement Agreement

In a press release the party leaders said the widening of free movement would mean rights to free immigration to Switzerland for Romanians and Bulgarians, especially for Rroma ethnics. "Generally, free movement of people will result in the fact that Romanians and Bulgarians – and especially Rroma ethnics – basically obtain rights to free immigration into Switzerland. Moreover, the EU is already negotiating the terms of accession for Turkey and Croatia," the party said.

 

The rightist party exemplified using the situation in Italy and stating "the dangers of soaring crime rates due to immigration." " Since Romania joined the EU, violent crimes soared in Italy. Switzerland is already targeted by Rroma ethnics crime rings, which go on robbing sprees in this country, coming from Alsace," the party said adding that sometimes the criminals are children aged no more than ten.

 

The central committee said the widening of the agreement would only benefit “the poorest countries,” as Romanian and Bulgarian salaries are some 15 times lower than those in Switzerland. "The widening of free movement would offer employees in these countries free access to our labor market. This would bring massive pressure on salaries and higher unemployment rates, while the Swiss will lose their jobs to Romanians and Bulgarians," the document reads.

 

However, more than one third of party members said earlier this week they refuse to comply with party policy. These include 20 Federal Parliament members, who intend to oppose the party’s decision within a "committee for the observance of bilateral agreements and against accession to the EU."