How Switzerland reacted to Brexit on social media
In Switzerland, both Swiss and expats on social media have been processing the results. Switzerland was regularly cited by members of the ‘leave’ campaign as a potential role model for Britain, in terms of its bilateral relationship with the EU.
On Friday morning we asked our twitter followers if they thought the Swiss model was applicable.
https://twitter.com/swissinfo_en/status/746265947229433856External link
A visible sentiment among British expats tweeting in Switzerland is a sense of growing distance between their point of view and the prevalent feeling back home.
My heart is heavy today. It just feels like the place that was my home has melted away, having been an illusion all along #EUrefExternal link
— Ron Morrow (@TheNorthernNerd) June 24, 2016External link
And so begins division: EU, UK, cities, regions, families. Cant help but feel we've begun process that can't be undone. A sad day 🇬🇧 #EUrefExternal link
— ➖Ben Capper➖ (@BenJCapper) June 24, 2016External link
I think the words is numb. #BrexitExternal link
— Daniel Keohane (@keohanedan) June 24, 2016External link
While others in Switzerland looked on in interest.
“My British roommate is speechless this morning.”
Mon coloc british pas parlable ce matin. #otherhalfExternal link #brexitExternal link #EUrefExternal link
— Rouven Gueissaz (@rgueissaz) June 24, 2016External link
“Am I the only one who’s not surprised by this result?”
Suis-je la seule à ne pas être étonnée de ce vote anglais ? #brexitExternal link
— Andreia (@10tubes) June 24, 2016External link
“Bye and thank you for coming by (… it was worth blocking all of the EU’s political reforms for 40 years).”
Au revoir et merci d'être passé! (… ça valait bien la peine de bloquer toutes les réformes politiques de l'UE depuis 40 ans) #brexitExternal link
— miglimpo (@miglimpo) June 24, 2016External link
Most striking numbers on #EUrefExternal link #EURefResultsExternal link #BrexitExternal link
— Felix Hoesch (@FelixZRH) June 24, 2016External link
The ones not much living with the resultes decided on Britain pic.twitter.com/N82tJQWCGOExternal link
On Friday morning we also asked our English-speaking Facebook fans, of many nationalities, if they thought the UK could successfully emulate Switzerland.
“Decisions that are influenced by scaremongering (both sides) are never good decisions. As a Swiss living here in the UK for 13 years I have often heard them talk about [how] we will take Switzerland as an example. Public transport, apprenticeships, recycling and now EU. And I then wonder where in Switzerland they were looking for inspiration. Not the Switzerland I know.” – Annie.
“In the UK, nothing quite comes close to the Direct Democracy that Switzerland enjoys”
“It’s a bad day for Britain. Hopefully things won’t go the way of Switzerland or soon food and housing prices will soar.” – Judi.
“Switzerland voted against the EEA and the EU on both counts (1992, 2001). It was never part of the Berlaymont ‘scheme’ so to speak in the first place. Also in the UK, nothing quite comes close to the Direct Democracy that Switzerland enjoys.” – David.
“The Brits need to make some free trade and movement deals double quick.” – Andy.
“Switzerland is bordered by Austria, France, Germany and Italy. Produces a far more superior product than UK, can compete with Germany in engineering and science. Italy, France and Switzerland dominate the luxury goods trade around the world. So for UK to go for a Swiss model I will see pigs fly.” – Brian.
But it wasn’t all doom and gloom.
“Switzerland is Switzerland, and has nothing to do with UK or European Union….but I am happy that the UK understood ‘better alone than in bad company’.” – Tiziana.
“The Swiss way of bilateral agreements will be a model for UK.” – Tavazza.
“Other countries will follow the UK, leaving the ‘sinking ship’.” – Dögei.
“Freedom begins. The first baby steps to a very old system, older than the EU itself, a brave but much needed step. With regard to Switzerland I think there will be an alliance of some sort that will start with UK, and as the other countries leave, and they will!!” – Niya.
You can contact the author of this article on twitter @jofahy External linkor on FacebookExternal link.
Do you think Britain can use Switzerland’s relationship with the EU as a model? Tell us where you stand, in the comments below.
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here. Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.