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The furor over Swiss votes curbing the rights of Muslims and foreigners should not put off governments testing the usefulness of referendums which can strengthen social cohesion and consensus, proponents say.
Switzerland caught the world's attention again on Sunday when it voted for the automatic expulsion of foreigners who have committed crimes, sparking violent protests a year after a referendum banned the building of new minarets.
Both initiatives, driven by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), could fall foul of European anti-discrimination law, prompting criticism that populist campaigns are hijacking referendums and threatening the country's reputation.
They also coincide with efforts by the European Union to introduce citizens' initiatives next year amid widespread public anxiety over immigration.