EurActiv reports that the canton of Vaud has rejected an initiative to grant the right to vote to non-Swiss residents, even though they may have been resident for ten years. Raphaël Mahaim, a Green Party politician and co-president of the initiative, told the Swiss press:
"For the majority of Vaud residents there is still an important link between nationality and local political rights."
Now there's the basis for a good immigration policy! Yup, you can come to our country to visit, you can come to our country to live - just don't expect to have a voice in deciding how we live!
11 comments:
I'm surpeised that Raphaël Mahaim did not finish his little speech with "...because they are racist swine".
b: Heh!'Journalistic omission'???
How to obtain Swiss citizenship
Home > FAQ > General questions > Citizenship
Swiss citizenship (that is, having a Swiss passport) can be acquired (1) through birth from Swiss parents, or
(2) through a procedure known as naturalization.
Children born in Switzerland from non-Swiss parents do not automatically become Swiss.
http://www.live-in-switzerland.com/e/faq/citizenship.html
The interesting bit
In some cantons, the Swiss decide who is to become a Swiss citizen (as per normal, decided by a referendum). The people in a gemiende (equivalent to a parish) decide who can become a citizen. They decide by their personal knowledge of the applicant. Its tough.
WfW: Now, what's not to like about that idea.........?
It will remove powers from our betters.
It will deprive our betters of acquiring a new voter base.
It will dilute diversity.
It will.. Oh heck, I forgot it. Never mind.
I think its a great idea. Interestingly, as I live in Germany, I have a local vote, but not a national one! Now there's another thoughtful approach to integration!
This is not directly relevant to this thread but vital reading:
Article
It is why George Osborne is headed for disaster and destruction
Grey Monk, I live in Norway where they have the same rule. You get a vote in local elections after you have been resident for five years. You only get a vote in national elections if you become a citizen. Seems entirely fair to me. Living in a place, working and paying taxes there means you have a legitimate interest in local affairs. If you feel strongly enough about national politics surely you feel strongly enough about your adopted country to apply for citizenship. By the way I do not exercise my voting rights in the UK anymore as I don't live there or pay taxes there anymore. If you ask me any ex-pat should lose their vote after five years and only get it back when they take up permanent residence in their country of origin.
Heretic
I have a local vote, but not a national one! Now there's another thoughtful approach to integration!
That's EU Law. But just as Irish and Cypriots and NCW Immigrants have full voting rights in the UK, you might find Austrians have preferential treatment as they always did Pre-EU.
In fact Siemens AG was staffed by Austrians who left Munich at the weekend to go home
Going to hi-jack your thread again
Bring Out Your Dead - UBS Quantifies Costs Of Euro Break Up, Warns Of Collapse Of Banking System And Civil War
It is also worth observing that almost no modern fiat currency monetary unions have broken up without some form of authoritarian or military government, or civil war.
You know, I have a right to vote here in Spain but I don't. I really don't think I should be deciding how the Spanish run their country.
DP111, TGM, Anon: Very interesting comments - thanks. There's a lot to like in all three examples.
TT: Thanks for the two links - very interesting.......
Sue: See above to TGM et others. You are of course quite correct.
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