If Switzerland votes against free movement, the EU should start dismantling the bilateral agreements immediately
If Switzerland votes in favor of the 10-million initiative, the EU should start preparing to unwind its bilateral agreements with Switzerland immediately.
The initiative explicitly threatens the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons if immigration is not reduced sufficiently. Switzerland cannot expect to keep full access to the EU single market while simultaneously voting to restrict one of the core freedoms on which that market is built.
Free movement of people is not an optional add-on. It is one of the fundamental principles of the EU’s relationship with Switzerland.
If Swiss voters choose to undermine that principle, the EU should not wait years for political negotiations and legal maneuvering. It should make clear from day one that access to the single market depends on respecting the agreed rules.
Switzerland has benefited enormously from its bilateral agreements with the EU, including privileged access for trade, research, and labor mobility. If it wants to selectively opt out when politically convenient, there should be consequences.
The message should be simple: if Switzerland votes to dismantle free movement, the EU should begin dismantling the agreements that depend on it.