Under the terms of the new bilateral agreements between Switzerland and the European Union, free movement of people continues as before. But now Switzerland can invoke a “notwithstanding” clause to limit immigration if it can show it needs to. Should Bern and Brussels ever lock horns over the notwithstanding clause, the Swiss Abroad would find themselves caught in the middle. What might happen? Free movement of people has turned out to be the main point of controversy in the new bilateral accords between Switzerland and Brussels. The Swiss government freely admits that's the price Switzerland has to pay for all the other agreements that bring economic advantages. Why did Switzerland insist on a notwithstanding clause? The Swiss government is well aware that immigration will become a hot topic soon enough. From past experience it is apparent that if Bern and Brussels ever get into conflict, it will be over the issue of free movement of people. This eventuality was provided for ...
