Etienne Kiss-Borlase

Leadership

Immigration Numbers Fall in Switzerland

by

Switzerland has developed into one of the greatest tourist countries in the European Union. From the scenic views around the lakes to the ski resorts that line the Alps, the central European country is the perfect getaway for many people from around the world. While Switzerland remains an ideal travel destination, the number of immigrants from within the EU has drastically fallen in the past year.

 

Over the past 12 years, the number of immigrants into Switzerland from the EU has seen somewhat of a steady incline. This year, it seems as though something has changed and less movement from the EU to Switzerland is taking place. The immigration levels have not been this low since 2005. While fewer people chose to leave the country this year, the dramatic drop in numbers came from those entering the country. The Swiss migration office (SEM) released that after departures, there were only 25,526 immigrants. A 12% drop from last years statistics show that the changes in Switzerland’s immigration policy are suffering the consequences.

 

In 2014 Swiss citizens in voted to limit arrivals from the EU. While this went against the bilateral accords guaranteeing free movement of EU citizens, the Swiss were adamant in making their voice heard. This affected not only the workforce but the exchange for enhanced Swiss access to the EU market. Local citizens now have the first crack at any available jobs, but most end up being filled by immigrants. Over half of the foreigners living in Switzerland hail from European countries, mostly from Italy, Germany, and Portugal.

 

The surprising numbers continued to reach lows, as the SEM calculated 6% fewer arrivals into the country thus far in 2017. No factual evidence as to why this decline occurred is available. However, analysts believe that due to economies being on the up in countries such as Spain and Portugal, is giving immigrants more of a reason to return home. Many immigrants chose Switzerland for work purposes, while smaller fractions of people venture to the country to join family members or study.

 

Over 2 million foreigners call Switzerland home. This makes up a quarter of the population. While the numbers continue dropping, the Swiss government should assess the true impact that immigrants have on the country as a whole.

Syrian Refugees Less Interested in Switzerland Than Other EU Countries

by

The Swiss Migration Office (SEM) recently released new figures showing that there was a total of only 3,899 asylum requests placed last month for Switzerland, just three more than in July. To put that number into perspective, the EU member states have registered 550,000 asylum requests total from January to July in 2015, up from the 304,000 they received during the same period last year. This spike in refugee applicants has been felt across Europe, but there has been notable lack of interest in refugee registration to Switzerland compared to other European countries.

Breaking down that Swiss total a bit: 1,610 requests came from Eritreans, 461 from Afghans, 401 from Syrians, and 180 from Iraqis. One reason for the lack of Syrian applicants is due to the modest size of the existing Syrian population in the country. Generally speaking, you can expect a bigger influx of refugees when the Diaspora is already large. As a refugee who is already facing harsh, if not deadly conditions, and is being forced to move their entire lives, it is more appealing to enter into a country with a strong community that resembles that which you experienced back home.

Latest figures from the SEM show that a little over 5,000 Syrian refugees have been given provisional permission to live in Switzerland, with another 2,000 currently in review. As more Syrians are approved, we could see a spike in Syrian refugee interest.

This framework helps us to explain the larger number of Eritrean applications comparatively, since approximately 20,000 Eritreans have been welcomed into Switzerland in recent years. In fact, Switzerland now has the largest sub group of Eritrean people outside of the North African country itself.

Another reason for the relatively low number of Syrian applicants is the Switzerland’s stricter asylum policy compared to elsewhere in Europe. In Sweden, for example, the rate of acceptance of Syrian refugees is 100 percent. In Switzerland it’s around 35 percent, with provisional admission.

Of the 2,095 asylum requests processed in August, Switzerland granted asylum to 462 people and gave 584 provisional admission. It also rejected 649 people under the Dublin convention, which specifies that people should apply for asylum in the first EU country they enter.

In March, the federal council set a quota to accept 3,000 Syrian refugees over the next three years, and another 1,000 places are reserved for the close relatives of Syrians already in Switzerland. Current president Simonetta Sommaruga has long agreed to participate in any EU regulations the EU sets on refugee quotas.

Another factor currently slowing Switzerland’s refugee application processing speed can be blamed on overly-complicated bureaucracy and strict terms. The current number of total pending applications in Switzerland has risen by 1,922 to total 19,207.

Some politicians, such as Green politician Ueli Leuenberger, have said they find these hold-ups “scandalous.” Others, like Christian Democrat Christophe Darbellay, believe the painstaking precautions the country is taken is necessary to protect it against potentially dangerous immigrants. And then there are some, like Swiss People’s Party councillor Hans Fehr, who seem to be taking the stance that if immigrants aren’t interested in Switzerland, then Switzerland isn’t interested in them. As he told the Tribune, “If Syrians don’t want to come to Switzerland, we shouldn’t go and get them.”

In the first eight months of 2015, Switzerland has received a total of 19,668 asylum requests from all nationalities, and they are expecting that number to rise to around 30,000 by the end of the year. By comparison, there were 23,765 asylum requests placed last year, an 11 percent rise from 2013.

Youth Take Liking Into Politics

by

In a recent study and survey, it is noted that teens born in 1997, who are now 17 are taking a heavy interest in politics and bettering the democracy in Switzerland. After the government advisory Commission for Child and Youth Affairs conducted a survey with a sample of 3,000 students. A resounding, and fairly surprised researchers got back the results around 66%. 66% of teens are interested or looking to make a change and are interested in the upcoming parliamentary elections.

Professor at Bern University, Michelle Beyeler, who conducted the survey explained, “We were afraid it would be difficult to get these young people to respond to the survey, but this was not the case at all – this surprised me in a positive way.” Many young teens around the world are hesitant to work or find a deep interest in politics due to the corrupt nature that could be in play. But teens in Switzerland are looking to stop this trend by creating an environment where the younger generation are interested.

Something that does not come as much as a surprise is the gender roles and differences when the teens were asked about gender roles with working and other political subjects. Men tended to learn towards men working while women stayed at home, while women voted opposite saying both men and women should work equally.

Even though these teens are fairly young, they have a great sense of what is going on with their government and political party. 77% of them are opposed to Switzerland joining the European Union, while 62% believe the free movement of people is a positive for the country. With some time before the elections, many of these teens will be eligible to vote before the October election. The future is looking to make a change in their country, and are taking an interest in the outcome. For more political news and updates, please visit Etienne Kiss-Borlase’s Official Website.

Swiss Immigration Vote

by

With neck to neck results in the referendum to limit the number of foreign workers into the country is still up in the air. A leading politician informed the citizens they may have to vote again since they cannot come up with a decision and the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is still indifferent in their votes. The reason for the vote is because many citizens are upset that foreigners are coming and taking potential jobs from locals. Even though they bring a credible argument to the table, not allowing particular immigrants into a European country violates the principle of free movement agreement which Europe has in place.

The head of Switzerland’s business-friendly Swiss Liberal Democrats (FDP) Philipp Mueller explained, “We have to ask ourselves, wouldn’t it make sense to hold a vote on the alternatives.” Everyone including the heads of such parties remain questionable and unsure whether what the best plan of action is. They do not want to force a vote which may jeopardize the current market value for the franc.

Parliament member also explained, “The February 2014 vote violates the principle of free movement agreement within Europe, part of a package of seven deals that stand or fall together, governing issues including economic and technological cooperation, agricultural trade, aviation and road and rail traffic.” This is the major problem being faced by voters and member’s of the party. They are hoping to resolve this issue in the near future and focus on more pressing issues such as unemployment rates, and how they can increase the number of jobs.

For more political news and updates, please visit Etienne Kiss-Borlase’s Official Website.

Politics Hurt Business In Switzerland

by

Over the past decade or so, the business and economic industry has been taking a hit due to the ruptured economy in Switzerland. Foreign firms are are drawing away from setting up business in the country, it has dropped 8% to only 274 in 2014 and an astonishing down 21% since 2013. Even though Switzerland has one of the most competitive economies in the world, the politically instability of the government has been drawing organizations away and to other European nations which is beginning to hurt the economy greatly.

Rudolf Minsch, the chief economist of business lobby Economiesuisse explained to Bloomberg, “It’s like a world championship, placing at the top doesn’t mean you’ll win again next time. You have to train. It’s the same with the business environment. We have a spot on our record with the mass immigration initiative and the say on pay.”

Not only has the political state driven business away, but the citizens have been pushing for a more strict immigration law which limits the amount of business’s which can be started in the country. Not having these companies and business’s started in Switzerland has really hurt the unemployment rate of the country as whole. With it now nearing 5%, highest it has been in quite a while.

Another downfall which is causing potential business away is the tax increases. Switzerland was known in the past for its great tax rates which has began to take a hit, “Competitive advantages have shrunk and we aren’t best in class everywhere anymore. We are only competitive overall if have a very attractive tax system.”

Switzerland is hoping to get back to where they once were, but the current state is not trending in the right direction. For more political and finance information, please visit Etienne Kiss-Borlase‘s official website.