Neutral Switzerland voted to buy new fighter jets for a thin the margin of 6 billion francs ( $ 6.5 billion) from razors, while citizens rejected a "worse than Brexit" ban on immigration.
On Sunday, only 50.2% of voters supported spending in the
national referendum, with less than 10,000 ballots separating the
"yes" and "no" camps. However, the EU's proposal to
introduce new immigration restrictions was defeated’ by a narrow margin.
"The Swiss military will be able to carry out its duties in
the future," Defense Minister Viola Amherd told a news conference in Bern,
thanking voters for approving funding for the planes.
After gaining public support, the government will have to decide
what kind of aircraft and how many to buy. Bids were invited’ from Dassault
Aviation SA of France, Airbus SE, Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin
Corporation.
Emerald insisted that the election be announced’ in the middle
of next year, with a maximum of 6 billion francs to be spent.
"If we can buy enough planes that are reasonable and cheap,
we will definitely look into that," he said. "No one can talk about a
blank check."
Local help
Whichever company wins the aircraft deal will be required to
place an order in the country equal to 60% of the purchase price of the new
aircraft. The initiative is designed’ to help local industry.
The government wants to modernize the Air Force, as its existing
fleet will need to retire in 2030. He argues that planes are necessary for the
country's security, while heads of state also attend the World Economic Forum
in Davos.
Critics, however, say fighter jets are not necessary for a small
country in the middle of Europe, and that they will not work well in the face
of threats such as cyber-attacks or natural disasters.
Immigration stop
By rejecting immigration restrictions from the European Union,
Switzerland refrained from pursuing a confrontation with Brussels and causing
lasting damage to its economy.
Justice Minister Crane Keller-Starr said that 61.7 percent of
the electorate rejected the move and the people showed that they wanted a solid
and lasting relationships with our most important trading partner.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she was
considering "positive signals" to deepen relations.
The government and business groups have campaigned against the
proposed ban on immigration, saying it has forced Switzerland to block an
important economic deal with the European Union that covers everything from
immigration to transport and public procurement. Highlights matters.
Keller Sutter told the SonntagsZeitung newspaper in August that
the cancellation would be "worse than Brexit."
Yet the anti-immigration Swiss People's Party has for years
tried to stem the flow of newcomers, saying it depresses locals' wages and
causes housing shortages. About a quarter of Switzerland's 8.5 million people
are not citizens.
There were several other measures on Sunday's ballot, including
a 14-day paid leave for a new father. It was also’ approved.
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