The dilemma between bilateral agreements and immigration control: how would swiss voters decide?

Abstract

This chapter analyzes the dilemma that Swiss citizens face between the reintroduction of some form of immigration control and the continuation of the bilateral agreements with the European Union (EU). More specifically, the purpose of the chapter is to shed light on the sociodemographic and political characteristics of the pivotal group of voters who supported the initiative against mass immigration in 2014 but, when asked about the dilemma, say they would give priority to the continuation of the bilateral agreements over immigration control. To that end, I pool data from three different opinion surveys conducted in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and I estimate logistic regression models. The results highlight the importance of age, trust in government, left-right orientation, support to Swiss traditions and political interest as determinants of individual attitudes towards bilateral treaties and immigration control.