Swiss voters have narrowly approved a curb on immigration in their country and a return of strict quotas.<br /><br />In a referendum held on Sunday, 50.3 percent of voters decided in favour of the proposal, put forward by the right wing Swiss People’s Party.<br /><br />The government says it is a huge blow.<br /><br />“It is a vote against the political authorities. The Federal government and most of the Cantons were against this initiative,” Swiss Federal Council member, Simonetta Sommaruga, told a press conference.<br /><br />“It is a vote against the business community, and the organizations which represent it – all of which were against the initiative. And finally it’s against the political parties. A lot of them now must be wondering why so many of their supporters haven’t followed them – or only partly – on such essential issues.” Sommaruga continued.<br /><br />It means that Switzerland will have to abandon its free movement of people treaty with the European Union<br /><br />This will put at risk other key agreements with the EU including free access to the European market – Switzerland’s biggest trading partner<br /><br />00:00 POSTERS IN GENEVA<br /><br />Swiss voters have said yes ((narrowly approved)) a curb on immigration into their country and a return of strict quotas.<br /><br />In a referendum held on Sunday,just over 50 percent (( 50.3 percent)) of voters decided in favour of the proposal, put forward by the right wing Swiss People’s Party.<br /><br />The government says it is a huge blow<br /><br />00:17 press conference of Federal Council, Simonetta Sommaruga,<br /> Member of the Swiss Federal Council :<br /><br />“It is a vote against the political authorities. The Federal government and most of the Cantons were against this initiative.<br /> It is a vote against the business community, and the organizations which represent it – all of which were against the initiative and finally against the political parties, a lot of them in any case, must be wondering why so many of their supporters haven’t followed them – or only partly – on such essential issues<br /><br />00:49 voting scenes <br /><br />It also means that Switzerland will have to abandon its free movement of people treaty with the European Union<br /><br />This will put at risk other key agreements with the EU including free access to the European market – Switzerland’s biggest trading partner<br /><br />01:09 ends
