Non-Swiss vote debate more complicated

Three major Geneva politicians have come out against an initiative to give foreigners the right to vote and to stand in local elections.

But their position can be nuanced as they believe the initiative goes too far in allowing non-Swiss to stand for election. 

Delphine Bachmann from the Centre Party and Nathalie Fontanet and Anne Hiltpold, both from the Liberals have broken away from the government position to say they’re against it. 

But they say the initiative goes too far on allowing non-Swiss to stand for elected positions. Nathalie Fontanet says no country in the world allows non-citizens to stand for elections, unless it’s reciprocal. 

Delphine Bachmanns says if the initiative was narrower and simply gave some foreigners the right to vote, but not to stand, in elections – she would be more open to discussions.

All three say they worry the debate will be focused on just voting – which would be wrong. 

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