Many people across Europe are surprised by the Swiss referendum to reintroduce immigration quotas. Even though the referendum squeezed through by a razor-thin majority, the reverberations are reaching far and wide. Even the Germans, the French, and the Italians, who are tied to the Swiss along national lines, are taken aback. The European Union, Switzerland’s largest trading partner, is threatening to retaliate, too. Fortress Switzerland is thus facing serious challenges in the sub-continent. I wonder for how long, though. Fortress Europe is on many a mind at this time, and it would not be surprising if a large number of people came to Switzerland’s side with demands for immigration quotas in their own countries, if not the Union itself. In this regard, the Swiss are likely to come out as the leading anti-immigration nation in Europe, and thus an example to all. God only knows what this will mean in the long run, of course. Who will take the unwanted jobs in Switzerland? And who will take such jobs in the Union? Given the rapidly aging population, many European countries will face serious problems within a decade or two. Welcome to the unkempt and malodorous fortress!

Addendum I (February 15, 2014)

The title of an article in the Financial Times today says it all: “Swiss Vote Inspires Europe’s Far Right.” And so does the byline: “Parties seize on referendum result calling for immigration curbs.” No surprises here, of course. The only question is when Fortress Europe will show its face at last. As the entire sub-continent is shifting right, this is a question of time only. The eurozone seems to be in pretty good shape at the moment, which may put the immigration quotas on hold for a while, but the next dip in the economy of the European Union will be the right time for the far right to pounce. And win.

Addendum II (February 18, 2014)

Der Spiegel joins the fray today. “The Swiss Virus: Europe Gripped by Immigration Worries,” runs the tile of the article. The byline says it all: “The Swiss aren’t the only ones in Europe deeply concerned about immigration. Many across the Continent would also like to see limits placed on newcomers from elsewhere in the EU. Europe must remain firm, but right-wing populists stand to benefit.” The only thing the newspaper misses is that it is the entire European electorate that is actually infected by the Swiss virus. The right-wing parties stand to win from this shift, all right, but its roots are pretty deep. In fact, all parties on the sub-continent will have to deal with it one way or another. Fortress Europe is for real.