Switzerland votes 'yes' in the referendum on September 27, 2020 to curb EU migration. Switzerland prides itself on its neutrality and prides itself on being a true democracy, unlike many Western nations they go directly to the people to pass legislation. Unfortunately, the Swiss have not been immune to right wing populism spreading across Europe quicker than the coronavirus. (FYI, as of writing Swiss Covid-19 fatalities is 234 per 1M pop). The racist Swiss People's Party (SVP) happens to be the largest party (holds 53 seats in the 200-seat National council), so no surprises that they're hell-bent on taking the Swiss to a time when they were sucking up to a deranged maniac named Adolf.
I know it's not sexy to take an interest in a landlocked nation that is so well off that their poor would be considered rich in most nations, but the world needs to intervene if they vote yes. More than ever we need nations that are neutral to the xenophobia sweeping the globe, it's bad enough that Switzerland has allowed a racist party to thrive, but due to their love of referenda they can still stop their disease at the ballot box. If the silent majority of Swiss don't stand up, then the SVP will have an ego that might change Swiss identity for the worse. To adventure junkies out there: don't you dare book a Swiss holiday in the Alps if racism wins.
How a nation made up of four cultural identities (German, French, Italian, Romansh) representing the richness of Europe can even contemplate curbing integration is akin to an April Fools joke. What's the bet that the Swiss will laugh at America if it reelects a bigot, but they'll fail to realise that they're also just as ignorant.
On September 27, grab some Swiss chocolate, if curbing migration is struck down, then by all means feast on chocolate. If, however racism wins the day, never ever look twice at Nestlé, they can go bust for all I care. The Swiss will have the ultimate say, but we earthlings can voice our protest by boycotting all things Swiss, even Zurich Insurance, don't think I forgot about the 'sexy' world of insurance.
No disrespect to Roger Federer, but if he wants to be known as the greatest of all-time, the least he can do is campaign for the No vote, instead of hiding his wealth in Swiss banks to avoid taxes. China-US relations take up much of the world's oxygen, but we must not forget that many nations are making moves towards a more mono-cultural world. If a beacon of democracy goes down this path, then what can we expect of nations transitioning to democratic norms.
