Mitenand initiative

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The Mitenand initiative for a new policy on foreigners ( Swiss German mitenand for "together") was a popular initiative launched in Switzerland in 1974 with the aim of a more open Swiss policy on foreigners . This was in clear contrast to the Schwarzenbach initiatives at the same time, behind which the fear of " foreign infiltration " stood - even if the initiative text in the transitional provisions provided for a ten-year ceiling on the proportion of foreigners.

The initiative was supported by the politically left-wing committee Working Group for a New Policy on Foreigners , launched in 1974 and submitted in 1977. Parliament recommended the initiative to be rejected and passed the draft of a Aliens Act (AuG) as an indirect counter-proposal. In the referendum on April 4, 1981, the initiative received - with a turnout of 39.88% - 16.2% or 252,531 votes, 83.8% or 1,304,153 votes against and no single cantonal vote and thus became clear declined. The counter-proposal was just barely rejected on June 6, 1982 with a participation of 35.18% with 49.6% or 680,404 votes in favor.

Since the Mitenand initiative, the left-wing political camp in Switzerland has largely limited itself in terms of foreigner, asylum and immigration policy to combating aggravation efforts by the right and has made few proposals of its own.

Initiative text

The wording of the initiative was:

Article 69ter of the Federal Constitution is replaced by the following provision:

Art. 69ter

1 The federal government is responsible for legislation in the field of foreigner policy.

2 This legislation safeguards human rights, social security and family reunification for foreigners. It takes into account the interests of Swiss and foreigners alike. It takes account of balanced social, cultural and economic development.

3 Residence permits are to be renewed, unless the judge orders expulsion for criminal offenses. Only entry restrictions, not evictions, are permitted as population policy measures. Refugees are exempt from any entry restrictions.

4 The Confederation, the cantons and the communes consult the foreigners on issues that concern them. In agreement with the foreigners, they promote their integration into Swiss society; the legislation provides for suitable measures.

5 The implementation of federal law remains a matter for the cantons under the supervision of the federal government; Federal legislation can reserve certain powers to the federal authorities and guarantees comprehensive legal protection for foreigners, including the possibility of appeals to the courts.

Transitional provisions

1 The Federal Council must submit a federal law to the Federal Councils within 3 years at the latest, which corresponds to the principles of Article 69ter.

2 With the adoption of this constitutional article, foreigners are entitled to freedom of expression, assembly, association and settlement as well as the freedom to choose their job in the same way as the Swiss.

3 The number of entry permits for foreigners for the purpose of gainful employment must not exceed the number of gainfully employed foreigners who left the country in the previous year. Employees who have left voluntarily are given preference in the following year for new entry permits. These provisions can be relaxed by federal legislation at the earliest 10 years after their entry into force. Functionaries of international organizations are excluded.

4 Paragraph 3 of the constitutional article comes into force upon acceptance of the initiative.

5 seasonal workers are equal to the residents. Previous legal restrictions must be lifted within 5 years of the initiative being accepted.

Article 69ter comes into force immediately after acceptance by the people and the cantons and the decision of the Federal Assembly to respect it.

The German text of the popular initiative is authoritative.

See also

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Template No. 309 overview. Retrieved August 5, 2016 .
  2. ↑ Balthasar Glättli: Free movement of persons, fundamental rights, equal treatment. (PDF; 44.48 KB) Chapter "Since the Mitenand initiative - unsuccessful - on the defensive". In: contradiction. Solidarité sans frontières, pp. 2, 3 , accessed on August 5, 2016 .
  3. ^ Federal popular initiative 'Mitenand-Initiative for a new policy on foreigners'. Swiss Federal Chancellery, accessed on August 5, 2016 .