Matthew Feeney on ‘Pro-Freedom’ Parties That Aren’t on Immigration

Last weekend, the Swiss voted
for immigration restrictions supported by the nationalist
and euroskeptic Swiss People’s Party, the party with the most seats
in Switzerland’s lower house of the Federal Assembly. The party
campaigned for the restrictions using the depressingly common fear
mongering about overpopulation.

The vote was praised by nationalistic, xenophobic, and
euroskeptic parties across Europe. It shouldn’t be surprising that
members of such parties support the referendum, which was backed by
50.3 percent of Swiss voters. However, Matthew Feeney argues, what
is notable is that European politicians and parties in favor of the
Swiss immigration restrictions are exhibiting a behavior seen in
the Republican Party when it comes to debates on immigration;
giving lip service to freedom without being able to match the
rhetoric with action.

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