A decision by a small town in canton Thurgau could have a major impact on national asylum policy.
At a community meeting in Steckborn, 700 turned up to discuss the future of a local asylum centre. It could have been more, but fire regulations meant some had to be turned away.
The meeting had been called by a local group opposed to the centre. It has been running for the last two years after being set up by federal authorities.
It currently houses 120 - but can hold 300.
A group opposed to the centre called the meeting. Both sides were allowed to present their case before the town’s voters would have the final say.
The meeting clearly came out in favour of the centre by a such a large majority – the mayor decided it wasn’t even worth counting the votes.
The decision could reverberate in Bern. Despite loud voices against asylum centres – they may not reflect local, or national, opinion.
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