Swiss voters headed to the polls on Sunday to decide on a controversial anti-immigration referendum. A placard reading 'Protect Switzerland – Not a 10-million Switzerland' captured the divisive nature of the vote. The far-right proposal, backed by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), aimed to limit the country's permanent population to 10 million by 2050. If passed, it would have made Switzerland the first country to implement a population cap.
Referendum Defeated
The proposal was defeated by a margin of 55% to 45%, a more comfortable result than pre-vote polls suggested. Joseph de Weck, an associate fellow at the German Council on Foreign Relations, discussed the implications with the Guardian. He noted that anti-immigration sentiments have been pervasive in Switzerland for decades, with a mentality of the country as a 'calm fortress being stormed.'
Switzerland's population has grown from 6.7 million in 1990 to around 9 million today, with over a quarter of residents foreign-born. The country's direct democracy allows referendums if 100,000 citizens back an initiative within 18 months, requiring a double majority to pass.
Historical Context
Comparisons were drawn to the 1970 Schwarzenbach initiative, which would have limited the foreign-born population to 10% and expelled over 300,000 foreigners. That vote was narrowly rejected, but it set a precedent for repeated votes on immigration. De Weck explained that these votes serve as signals to the government, allowing the population to adjust policy direction.
Framing the Debate
The SVP reframed the population cap as a 'sustainability initiative,' citing strain on infrastructure and the environment. However, critics argued this was a tactic to appeal to centrist voters. The party, which supports low corporate taxes and fossil fuels, faced opposition from left-wing voters who backed net-zero commitments in 2023.
De Weck warned that progressive attempts to appease the right on immigration only shift the goalposts further right, a pattern seen in the UK post-Brexit.
Regional Voting Patterns
Analysis showed that urban areas with higher immigration rejected the referendum more strongly, while regions with fewer immigrants voted in favor. SVP president Marcel Dettling lamented that 'cities simply wipe the country out.' De Weck noted that this reflects opinion on foreigners rather than actual societal strains.
Lessons for Progressives
Despite Switzerland's high quality of life and economic success, far-right rhetoric remains potent. The left in Switzerland has made a positive case for immigration, attributing the country's prosperity to globalization and foreign innovators. However, challenges like housing affordability persist, with average house prices more than doubling in two decades.
Progressives in Swiss cities are addressing these issues through measures like public housing investment. De Weck concluded that the Swiss have resisted nationalism and xenophobia, but continued action is needed.
