For years, the Swiss economy has declared immigration as an indispensable prerequisite for our prosperity and thus the free movement of people and the bilateral path as a necessity. But business representatives, of all people, are suddenly skeptical. What does that mean? Are all the previous assurances suddenly no longer valid? And what do the people think about it?
District 5 in the city of Zurich has long been considered a stronghold of the left and the most progressive constituency in Switzerland. To this day it still has a very high proportion of foreigners and has always been particularly friendly to immigrants in recent years. But how do people here see immigration? Do you still support the free movement of people without restrictions?
Anyone who experiences Hardbrücke station during rush hour knows exactly what is meant by density stress, but surprisingly, in a recent SRF survey, commuters said they were resilient to it.
Immigration is a difficult issue in District 5
When asked in District 5, it is now clear that there is clear unease towards immigration in urban areas. Political geographer Michael Hermann says: “I have never experienced this critical attitude towards immigration from the far right to the far left.”
A humane attitude towards all people and an open attitude towards Europe are important to me. Somehow we have to address immigration and solve the problem, but I don’t know for the life of me how that could be done.
The stress of density seems to be putting a strain on the residents of District 5: “It’s getting more and more crowded here, even though it’s already full to capacity” are comments that have been made more often, while many people don’t seem entirely comfortable with it: “A humane attitude towards all people and an open one Attitudes towards Europe are important to me. Somehow we have to address immigration and solve the problem, but I don’t know for the life of me how that could be done.”
This district 5 resident is not alone, as opinion researchers from GFS-Bern discovered years ago: “The relationship with the EU, the healthcare system and pension provision are the topics on which more and more voters do not have their own opinion have more confidence.”
Migration as a mobilization topic of the hour
It is undisputed that it is mainly immigration from the EU that is causing our density stress and not asylum seekers. Skilled workers want after-school care centers and apartments, go to the gym and have pedicures and need space on trains, restaurants and on the motorway. “It almost seems as if Switzerland is in an endless loop – or in an economic straitjacket,” concludes the NZZ.
The economy needs skilled workers, which in turn increases demand, “and more skilled workers are needed to meet the higher demand.” Based on exactly this argument, the SVP quickly declares immigration a pyramid scheme, whereupon the NZZ bitterly complains about the absence of the other parties in this debate: “Immigration is practically calling for political will to shape things.”
If the other parties don’t finally take up the issue, there will be votes again and again “and the SVP will celebrate permanent election victories,” because migration is currently the major mobilization issue “for all right-wing and right-wing populist parties.” It’s just that the other parties seem to avoid the issue of immigration like a hot potato.
But the other parties are in a quandary, says political geographer Michael Hermann: Above all the FDP, which, as the business party, has propagated the bilateral path most vehemently for years, and this would have little future if immigration were limited. The center is also committed to the bilateral path and can hardly justify a U-turn.
Finally, the SP and the Greens see Switzerland as part of Europe and cannot risk a break with the EU if Switzerland were to terminate the free movement of people. That leaves the Green Liberals, but Zurich State Councilor Tiana Moser complains that it is often difficult for a party that is not represented in the Federal Council to make its voice heard. This leaves the way clear for the SVP.
The racism club
But there is another reason for this, says Michael Hermann: “The issue of immigration is so polarizing that anyone who comments on it publicly must expect negative reactions.” The Aargauer Zeitung confirms this based on concrete experience: “It’s easy to get your fingers burned in this country on the subject of migration.” Unteriberg SZ can tell you a thing or two about this.
The most conservative municipality in Switzerland is considered an SVP stronghold and, despite a low proportion of foreigners, people here are critical of immigration. A well-known phenomenon, says pollster Michael Hermann: “What you don’t know makes you afraid.” Yes, you feel uncomfortable around strangers, but that doesn’t make you xenophobic, just cautious and perhaps a little critical.
Immigration is becoming a problem, even though I have nothing against foreigners.
“The fact that we have been put in the brown corner and insulted as racists for years is extremely annoying,” says the mother of a small child, using exactly the wording that a young mother in District 5 in Zurich had previously used. The Zurich resident said she still stood by it because it was a fact: “Immigration is becoming a problem, even if I have nothing against foreigners.”
I too am repeatedly called a racist, even though I am a foreigner myself.
The problem is that politicians cannot do much about immigration “because the EU decides”. She also expresses a vague fear: “Yes, because of the children. I work for the justice system and know who is committing the crimes here.” Her partner is an entrepreneur and grew up as a secondo in district 5: “I am also repeatedly called a racist, even though I am a foreigner.”
Right-wing populists gratefully accept the gift
According to Pulitzer Prize winner Bret Stephens, such experiences represent global development. “When politicians downplay migration problems, then extreme parties come to power,” said the New York Times columnist, who was a WEF participant in Davos this year. The fact that one is not allowed to speak openly about problems with foreigners without being branded a racist is taking its toll. The rise of Trump, AfD and Le Pen shows that there will be revenge if migration is not discussed openly.
He told the Aargauer Zeitung: “So that we understand each other correctly: I am the son of a refugee myself, I support legal immigration and even see it as an enormous enrichment.” But migration also requires assimilation: “And it is not surprising that people all over the world react the same way when their fears and discomfort are not taken seriously.”
This is done by breaking away from those politicians and parties “that ignore or downplay the migration problem”. The fact that people in District 5 in Zurich, the “red stronghold” of Switzerland, are now also having this experience should actually be enough food for thought for Swiss politicians.