Election News Snapshot - Switzerland

Earlier this month, Swiss voters elected to extend the agreement allowing free movement of workers between Switzerland and the European Union. The main bone of contention was the expansion of the EU to include two of the poorer countries in Eastern Europe, Romania and Bulgaria. The 19 percentage-point margin of victory was something of a shock to pollsters, who predicted a much closer vote, swinging toward the 'No' camp. This will undoubtedly be seen as a positive development to EU policy wonks, who are still reeling from the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty - which would formalize an EU constitution - by Irish voters in a national referendum last June. Pro-Europe parties in Switzerland will take heart as well, but Swiss accession to the EU is such a contentious issue - in this country that did not join the United Nations until 2002 - that it will unlikely occur anytime in the near future.

Results of Referendum, 8 February 2009

• Yes-----59.6%
• No------40.4%