Switzerland - Dec 5

On December 3, Simonetta Sommaruga was elected as the new president of Switzerland. Sommaruga is expected to focus on direct democracy during her one-year term. The 12 referendums held in 2014 in Switzerland indicate that Sommaruga is under great pressure to reconcile the will of the people with the national law and with Switzerland’s international commitments. In particular, the right-wing Swiss People’s Party is hoping to put a limit to the recent surge in immigration. This movement could jeopardize Switzerland’s relationship with other EU member states since it violates the free movement of people within the EU.

Source: Euronews, Swiss Info