The Swiss are voting for their stay in Schengen

A referendum on whether Switzerland will double its contribution to Frontex funding is seen as crucial to whether or not the country remains in the Schengen area.

On Sunday, the Swiss come to the polls in the context of another referendum. The simplified question they are asked to answer is whether they agree with the increase in Swiss funding for the European Border and Coast Guard (Frontex). A “no” is very likely to lead to a “divorce” of Switzerland with the Schengen area.

“The consequences [ενός “όχι”] “It would be the end of the Schengen-Dublin treaty for Switzerland,” EU Home Affairs Commissioner Elva Johansson warned in an interview with the Swiss group Tamedia. and we will insist that Switzerland is not in a position to choose which part it wants to respect. ”

Budget increase for Frontex

As a member of the Schengen area, Switzerland contributes to the financing of Frontex, with the Federal Council and the Parliament having endorsed the actions that are underway since 2019 in the direction of expanding its activities, with the development for example of more border guards.

The European Union’s decision to double the budget of the body responsible for protecting Schengen’s external borders to € 754 million by 2022 means that the Swiss contribution will increase from € 23 million to € 58.5 million.

Arguing that Frontex and consequently Switzerland itself are partly responsible for human rights violations at Europe’s external borders, opponents of its reinforcement, including immigrant protection organizations with the support of the Greens and Social Democrats, necessary signatures for the organization of the referendum.

Against the background of the war in Ukraine

The referendum is taking place amid large-scale protests against Frontex and debates over Switzerland’s neutral stance on the war in Ukraine.

“The Russian attack on Ukraine has sharply increased the need for security throughout Europe, including Switzerland, and at the same time the awareness of the need for solidarity and cooperation between countries that share the same ideas,” MP Tiana Moser told swissinfo.ch. Liberal Greens party, which supports the “yes”. “By joining the Schengen area, we are expressing our commitment to European countries and therefore to the European Union in the fields of security and immigration,” he said, calling the question “harmful”, especially in the context of the war.

Accomplices in deportations?

A few days before the referendum, a Swiss border guard was interviewed with about ten Frontex missions on his assets. Speaking to Le Temps newspaper, “Mark”, as he uses the pseudonym, said he would vote “no” to increase funding for the organization. He claimed to have witnessed several incidents, including the use of violence against migrants as they tried to cross from Greece to other EU member states.

The government does not deny that such incidents have been reported. “It’s true: there have been delays,” Conservative People’s Finance Minister Ili Maurer told a news conference, adding that there was much room for improvement in Frontex’s work, although his party rejected closer ties with the EU. he acknowledged that the Schengen area was in Switzerland ‘s interest.

Referendum weekend

The results of a poll conducted by the GfS research institute in Bern on behalf of the state broadcaster show that the Swiss are leaning towards a resounding “yes” to Frontex support of 69%.

Along with the future of Frontex funding, voters are being asked to comment on organ donation consent, as well as whether streaming companies such as Netflix should be forced to invest some of their revenue in local productions.

Katerina Alexandridi (FAZ, swissinfo.ch, Le Temps)

Source: Deutsche Welle