Free movement: protective clause is good for Switzerland

The Federal Council is serious about the new protective clause in the free movement of people. It should be gripped. This is really the case – and ultimately serves the free movement of people.

A protective clause has been in the agreement on the free movement of people since 2002. But it is a paper tiger that was never used. That changes now: In the negotiations with the EU, the federal government has achieved that the protective clause is tightened and can be used effectively. This is a success of the negotiation that was hardly to be expected.

Eight times the criteria have been fulfilled since the introduction of the free movement of people in 2002 in order to slow down immigration according to the new rules. This resulted in model calculations of the federal government. An average of every third year. First of all, this shows that despite its advantages, the free movement of people regularly leads to problems. Secondly, the model calculations make it clear: The Federal Council means it seriously with the new protective clause – it should not become a new paper tiger.

That’s right. Nevertheless, it is important to keep what the protective clause is – and what is not: it is only intended for emergencies to keep the population from serious economic and social damage if immigration from the EU in a short time. But it does not fundamentally expose the free movement of people. She shouldn’t do that either: Switzerland rely on immigration from Europe, even more in the future than before.

However, if the negative consequences of the free movement of people can be contained with a protective clause, the protective clause ultimately also serves the EU. It increases the acceptance of the free movement of people.