Switzerland could be forced to leave Schengen, Swiss minister warns
Karin Keller-Sutter, Switzerland’s police and justice minister, warned this week before a gathering of EU ministers that Switzerland could be forced to leave the Schengen zone if a referendum scheduled for May 15, 2022 is successful, reported RTS.
The Schengen zone was created in 1995, which today includes 28 countries and allows freedom of passports in large parts of Western Europe. Switzerland has been a member since December 12, 2008.
As a member of the zone, Switzerland has been funding an organization called Frontex since 2009. Frontex is one Agency in charge of controlling the borders of the Schengen area.
The agency is controversial. While some claim it prevents illegal immigration to Europe, others say it prevents returns and prevents asylum-seekers from claiming protection under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Concerns have also been raised about accountability and a lack of oversight and action to ensure the agency complies with relevant legislation.
In addition, Frontex’s budget has increased. The original budget in 2020 was 364 Million Euros. The budget for 2022 is 754 million euros, more than double the original budget for 2020.
In autumn 2021, the Swiss government and the EU agreed to increase funding for Frontex. Switzerland’s contribution is expected to increase from CHF 24 million in 2021 to CHF 61 million in 2027.
After this parliamentary decision, some Swiss politicians and citizens who oppose Frontex began collecting the 50,000 signatures needed to stop the Frontex attack. On Jan. 20, 2022, the group announced it had collected around 62,000 signatures, paving the way for a referendum on the issue on May 15, 2022, reported RTS.
The referendum aims to overturn the government’s decision to increase Swiss funding for Frontex. In addition, say the organizers of the vote They want Frontex to be dissolved and Europe to be opened up to all migrants.
A successful referendum would jeopardize Switzerland’s membership in the zone. A “no” would therefore mean an inevitable retreat Karin Keller Sutter. If there is a “no” to Frontex, then it is clear that we have to leave the Schengen-Dublin zone, she said.
According to Keller, other participants in the meeting of European leaders did not know about the Swiss vote and were surprised by the news.
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