Is Switzerland Heading for Its Own Brexit? Vote Could Shake Ties With Europe

Globes' “Global Zoom” section highlights every Thursday the stories making headlines around the world, from the biggest news to those that may have slipped under the radar. This time, we have gathered the four major events expected in the coming week. ● Headlines around the world | In the U.S. they are convinced: the war in Iran is entering a new and dangerous phase ● Sharp jump in ticket prices: welcome to the most profitable World Cup in history

The world’s biggest football celebration is beginning, as the 2026 World Cup gets underway. For the first time in the tournament’s history, 48 teams are taking part, 104 matches will be played over 39 consecutive days across North America, and three countries are hosting simultaneously. The games will be held in 16 cities across the United States, Mexico and Canada. The opening match was played at the legendary Azteca Stadium in Mexico City, one of the most iconic stadiums in football history, where Pelé lifted the trophy in 1970 and Maradona used his hand in 1986. The World Cup final will be held on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, before what is expected to be the largest crowd in the tournament’s history.

The tournament also features teams we have never seen, or have barely seen, at the World Cup, from Haiti to Curaçao, from Uzbekistan to Jordan. According to an analysis by the American site DeFi Rate, based on betting-agency data, Europe is the favorite continent to win with 64%, with France and Spain at the top of the list. South America is second with 24%, with Argentina, the defending champion, eager to repeat its Qatar 2022 success. Another interesting question is who will be the top scorer, Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo? According to the analyses, the Argentine star leads in probability. It is possible that the two football giants are sharing their last World Cup, and each will want to finish in style.

The U.S. The biggest IPO in history

The initial public offering of the American space company SpaceX is drawing huge interest on Wall Street for two reasons, the identity of its owner, the world’s richest man Elon Musk, and the sheer size of the blockbuster offering. But it is also raising a number of concerns. Research published in The Lifecycle Trade found that more than 90% of IPOs trade at some point below the low reached on their first trading day.

But some argue that comparing it with past IPOs is simply irrelevant in this case. SpaceX is not just another large technology company, but the leader of the emerging space economy, an industry that until a decade ago barely existed as a business category. Analysts explain that “a company like this will quickly capture a significant share of stock indices and the attention of retail investors,” creating built-in demand that did not exist in previous offerings. The question preoccupying many is whether to rush to buy the company’s shares. History says clearly, it is better to wait for the dust to settle, allow the price to stabilize, and look for a reasonable entry point months after the IPO. But as noted, SpaceX may simply be a case where history is not relevant.

The U.S. Trump turns 80 and breaks his own records

On June 14, Donald Trump will celebrate his 80th birthday. Not quietly, not modestly, and not with a private family dinner. This year, the American president has chosen to celebrate in a style never before seen in the history of the White House, a mixed martial arts event by UFC will be held in an arena specially built on the White House lawn. But before anyone could enter the ring, a lawsuit was already filed against the celebration.

Public Integrity Project, a nonprofit legal organization fighting government corruption, petitioned a federal court in Washington for an emergency injunction, arguing that the White House violated federal laws to tailor the event to the president. The organization called the event “highly corrupt.” Against this backdrop, many celebrities invited to the event have also said they will not attend.

A recent Pew study found that Trump is among the 20 oldest leaders in the world, out of 186 countries examined, with only 16 leaders older than him. The oldest of all is Cameroon’s President Paul Biya, 93. Incidentally, according to a 2023 survey by the institute, about half of Americans believe the ideal age for a president is in the 50s, while most of the public supports age limits for candidates running for public office. Trump’s birthday history speaks for itself. At 42, he celebrated in Atlantic City with a giant spaceship and a recorded greeting from then-President Ronald Reagan. At 50, Trump ordered a sugar sculpture of himself with a dollar sign on his chest and 600 balloons falling from the ceiling. And at 79, he marked his birthday with thousands of soldiers, dozens of tanks and fireworks, at an estimated cost of $25 million to $45 million.

Switzerland For the first time, a referendum that could limit the population size

Switzerland is one of the richest and most prosperous countries in the world. And yet the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), the largest in parliament, is convinced this is a problem. “We are victims of our own success,” summarized Professor Reto Fami of the University of St. Gallen. On Sunday, Swiss citizens will go to the polls in an unprecedented referendum, whether to cap the country’s population at 10 million by 2050. At this stage, recent polls in the country point to a tight race.

Since Switzerland allowed citizens of the European Union to live and work in its territory in 2002, its population has grown by 23% and currently stands at 9.1 million. If the vote passes, the government will be required to take action once the population reaches 9.5 million, including restrictions on asylum, family reunification and residence permits. In the most extreme scenario, Switzerland could even cancel the free movement agreement with the European Union.

Supporters of the initiative argue that demographic growth is straining infrastructure, housing, natural resources and quality of life. MP Bernard Pfister added that “different forms of criminality” have increased since the borders were opened. Opponents, however, present a completely different picture. EconomieSuisse, which represents Swiss business, called the proposal “absurd” and dangerous to the country’s security and prosperity.