The Swiss were voting Sunday on limiting immigration from the European Union, which, while not expected to pass, has sparked fears a shock “yes” could devastate relations with the bloc.
The initiative, backed by the populist right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) — Switzerland’s largest party — has lost public support in recent polls.
The latest survey showed 65 percent of those questioned opposed the call to tear up an agreement permitting the free movement of people between Switzerland and the surrounding European Union. It seems unlikely the initiative will garner the double majority needed to pass, winning both the popular vote and most of the 26 cantons.
But the SVP has eked out surprise victories in the past in its war against tightening relations with the EU, fuelling concern that Switzerland’s relationship…