MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The citizens of Switzerland voted earlier in the day on the nationwide referendum to decide among other issues whether foreign nationals who reside in the country should be automatically deported if found guilty of committing a crime, ranging from murder to speeding. Earlier in the day, exit poll data revealed by the SRF TV channel showed that the majority of the Swiss population did not support the initiative.
"The latest estimates in favor of the initiative is 41 percent. That will be quite the final result," the press officer said.
The initiative was proposed by the anti-immigration Swiss People’s Party, currently having the most seats among all parties presented in the National Council taking into consideration the fact that foreigners constitute almost one-quarter of the country's population.
Over five million people were eligible to vote in Switzerland, while some two million foreigners living in the country could not take part in the referendum.
