Minaret ban is part of the integration debate

For a long time Switzerland was regarded as a model democracy, but after its minaret ban the country is being denounced as undemocratic. The daily Latvijas Avīze finds the accusations unjustified: "It's surprising that Switzerland is now having to endure such harsh attacks from abroad precisely because of its high degree of democracy. … In reality the Swiss 'No' is just part of a discussion that has gone on for years about how much Europe must be Islamised in the name of integration. We Latvians know from experience that integration doesn't come about of its own accord: it needs a basis, and in Latvia that basis is the Latvian language, culture and traditions. In the debate about the Lisbon Treaty the proposal to declare Christianity a fundamental EU value triggered a discussion. The idea wasn't successful. But the referendum in Switzerland is not the first decision that restricts the use of Muslim symbols."

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