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Yesterday, Switzerland accepted by referendum to join the Schengen/Dublin treaty with the EU. This treaty allows the free passage of persons within the signatory states, without systematic border controls of identity (customs controls are still permitted). To put this in context, Switzeland has been opposed to the EU from the concept, so this is a landmark victory permitting also closer ties between the country and the EU without the disadvantages of membership. Switzerland conceded, in return, the retention of tax on bank account interest of EU citizens, such tax being remitted to the country of residence, without violation of the secrecy of the account holders (identity, residence other than country and individual holdings). A further referendum will be held on 25 September to decide on the freedom of movement of non-Schengen EU citizens.
In practice, once the system is implemented, it will be possible to travel from the N. of Sweden to the S. of Italy without any identity control.
At the same time, a second referendum was held yesterday giving homosexual couples the same rights as a married couple although they would not be formally married.
Both referenda are a severe blow to the extreme right UDC party, headed by Christof Blocher. The latter, who is a member of the Federal Council (of ministers), broke its traditional collegiality in campaigning against Schengen and homosexual couples, for the second time. He had his knuckles rapped before for the same sin. The UDC also lost a couple of cantonal referenda yesterday, as well. It seems its popularity is in decline, except in the more rural Swiss-German cantons.
Even some of the traditionally Roman Catholic cantons voted in favour of the homosexual couples.
In practice, once the system is implemented, it will be possible to travel from the N. of Sweden to the S. of Italy without any identity control.
At the same time, a second referendum was held yesterday giving homosexual couples the same rights as a married couple although they would not be formally married.
Both referenda are a severe blow to the extreme right UDC party, headed by Christof Blocher. The latter, who is a member of the Federal Council (of ministers), broke its traditional collegiality in campaigning against Schengen and homosexual couples, for the second time. He had his knuckles rapped before for the same sin. The UDC also lost a couple of cantonal referenda yesterday, as well. It seems its popularity is in decline, except in the more rural Swiss-German cantons.
Even some of the traditionally Roman Catholic cantons voted in favour of the homosexual couples.