Swiss voters back immigration limits by tiny margin

Voters in Switzerland have narrowly backed a proposal to limit immigration to the country.

Swiss television SRF reports that the referendum backed by the nationalist People’s Party was approved by an extremely narrow margin on Sunday.

Initial results show some 50.5% of voters backed the plan, with about 49.5% against. Approval was strongest in German and Italian-speaking parts of the country, and in rural areas.

The Swiss government and most parties opposed the plan to introduce quotas for all types of immigrants, saying it could harm the economy and Switzerland’s relationship with the European Union.

The outcome means that the government will have to renegotiate painstakingly forged treaties with the EU on the free movement of workers.