Swiss conservatives from the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) opposed strengthening the federation’s ties with the European Union.
The party reacted to the development of the government roadmap for the country to establish ties with the EU.
“At stake is Switzerland’s identity and independence. In future, EU laws will automatically apply in Switzerland. <…> We will have to pay billions of dollars to Brussels. And the Swiss people will have nothing to say,” SVP president Marco Chiesa summarised the consequences of Bern strengthening its ties with Brussels.
According to Chiesa, the proposed arbitration mechanism to resolve disputes between the EU and Switzerland will not save the country from losing its historical image. He also drew attention to the decline in wages in the country and the rising unemployment of the native population due to the influx of migrants from EU countries, especially Italy.