Hey, bravo to all my Swiss colleagues! They voted yes to the participation of Switzerland to the EU-Schengen zone (almost all the new laws are voted by referendum in Switzerland, with what they call “direct democraty” – I have to post once about this interesting way of implementing the democracy). 54.6% yes, 45.4% no.

Have a look at the Wikipedia’s article about Schengen. Very good explanation and already uptodate concerning Switzerland….although the Swiss people voted this afternoon!!

The Schengen Treaty means that people within the participating countries can move into any other participating country without having to show their passports, or in any other way being checked. The Schengen Treaty also means that participating countries will co-ordinate their external controls. This is necessary since a person acceptable to one country but not to another can still enter both, if one admits him. For example, immigration policy must be agreed upon as immigrants can enter through the most relaxed border and make their way to less hospitable countries once within Schengenland unless entry criteria are homogeneous.

An article from Houston Chronicle about the vote in Switzerland.