Foreigners in Switzerland receive fake ‘expulsion’ letters; Swiss voters will decide whether they should remain neutral; and more news in our roundup on Thursday.
Foreigners in Switzerland receive fake ‘expulsion’ letters
As Swiss media reported on Wednesday, a number of foreigners have received letters, allegedly from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), informing them that they must leave the country by December 31st, 2026 – the date on which their residency permits will be automatically revoked.
The reason for this move, the letter explained, is the immigration-curbing ‘No to 10 million’ initiative to take place on June 14th.
The SEM said, however, that the letters, different versions of which have been circulating for several years, is fake and “has no impact on the residency status of the recipients.”
Swiss voters will decide in September whether they should remain neutral
Swiss citizens will cast their votes on the ‘Neutrality Initiative’ in the next round of national referendums (after June 14th), which are scheduled for September 27th, the Federal Council announced on Wednesday.
The initiative, called ‘Safeguard Swiss Neutrality,’ is spearheaded by a populist group, Pro Schweiz, which is an offshoot of the far-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
It seeks to enshrine Swiss neutrality in the Constitution as “perpetual and armed.” It also demands that Switzerland not join any military or defence alliances – NATO, for instance.
READ MORE: Swiss move towards vote on reinforcing neutrality
Switzerland is considering an alternative to marriage
Couples who do not marry but want to protect each other legally may be able to enter into a formal civil partnership in the future.
A consultation is currently underway regarding this Civil Solidarity Pact (PACS), inspired by the French model.
Its goal it to allow couples to form a life partnership outside of marriage, with clearly defined rights and obligations.
The Legal Affairs Committee of the Council of States has launched a consultation process on this issue on Wednesday, which will run until September 17th.
Geneva authorises a ‘limited’ anti-G7 demonstration on its territory
It has been known for weeks that anti-G7 activists wanted to hold a protest march in Geneva, located 45 km away from Evian, France, where the summit will take place from June 15th to June 17th.
On Wednesday, Geneva authorities outlined the route for the demonstration scheduled for Sunday, June 14th: departure at 4 pm from Mon Repos Park towards Quai du Mont-Blanc, then along Rue du Mont-Blanc to Rue de la Servette and finally to Rue Hoffmann.
From there, the procession will proceed along Avenue Giuseppe-Motta to Place des Nations. The return route is planned to Mon Repos Park via Avenue de France.
READ MORE: The disruptions in and around Geneva you need to be aware of in June
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