Swiss voters have decisively rejected a far-right proposal to cap the country's population at 10 million, in a referendum that some had dubbed 'the Swiss Brexit'. Official results showed 54.79% voted against the initiative, with 45.21% in favour, on a turnout of 58.86%.
The proposal, put forward by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), would have obliged the government to limit the population—currently 9.1 million—to 10 million by 2050. If the threshold had been reached early, tough restrictions on family reunification, residency permits, and asylum would have been introduced, and the government would have been required to withdraw from the free movement agreement with the EU, ending Switzerland's access to the single market.
The SVP argued that the initiative was necessary to address pressure on infrastructure, housing, social programmes, and the Swiss way of life. Switzerland's population has grown by 23% since the free movement agreement came into effect in 2002, and around 27% of residents are not citizens. However, many voters were concerned about the possible side-effects.
Urs Bieri of polling firm GFS Bern said voters were worried about negative consequences for relations with the EU and the labour market, as well as issues such as access to health workers. The seven-member government, which includes the SVP, opposed the plan, warning it would threaten national stability and harm the economy. Business groups also expressed concern about limiting access to foreign workers.
Switzerland's system of direct democracy allows such 'popular initiatives' to be put to a referendum if they gather 100,000 signatures within 18 months. The outcome highlights the balancing act between immigration concerns and the benefits of EU ties.
