Major campaign to give foreigners vote in Geneva

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A major campaign has been launched to give foreigners the right to vote and to be elected in the canton of Geneva.

If successful, it will make Geneva a pioneer in foreigners rights in the country. 

Left wing parties have launched a constitutional initiative which requires the collection of 8,000 signatures to force the idea to a vote. 

Those backing the idea point out that 40% of the Geneva population is non-Swiss and the naturalization law has become more difficult. 

The Geneva proposal goes further than any other canton. Not only would it allow foreigners who have lived in the canton for more than 8 years the right to vote, it will also allow them to stand for elections - including for seats at the federal parliament in Bern. 

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