Swiss Voters Reject Right-Wing Bid to Cap Population at 10 Million

Swiss voters on Sunday rejected a right-wing initiative that would have capped the country’s population at 10 million and forced strict limits on immigration, including ending free movement with neighboring European Union states. Although the final count was not complete, a public broadcaster SRF projection showed the proposal losing by a wide margin, 55% to 45%, despite earlier polls suggesting a tighter race.

The measure was backed by the Swiss People’s Party, or SVP, under the slogan “No to a Switzerland of 10 million.” It sought to prevent the population from exceeding 10 million by 2050. Switzerland, which currently has 9.1 million residents, would have had to start enforcing the restrictions within five years if the initiative had passed, at a point when projections put the population near 9.5 million.

Approval would have required sweeping cuts to immigration and family reunification, and would have forced Switzerland to abandon bilateral accords with the European Union and other international agreements that allow foreigners to work and settle in the country. Free movement between Switzerland and its EU neighbors would also have ended. Supporters argued that the country could not absorb such growth without severe strain on infrastructure, the economy and housing. More than 30% of residents in Switzerland are foreign citizens, and the share with foreign roots is even higher.

Critics said the proposal risked major economic damage, especially to sectors dependent on foreign workers, such as banking and hospitals. The initiative was nicknamed “the Brexit of Switzerland,” a reference to Britain’s 2016 vote to leave the EU. According to pollster Urs Bieri of GFS Bern, voters feared the consequences for ties with the EU, the labor market and staffing in health care. He said the public saw it as a “chaos initiative” and did not believe Switzerland should take such a step in today’s international climate. All other parties, all 26 cantons, industry and most businesses opposed the plan, with Federal Councillor Beat Jans warning last week that Switzerland must preserve stability and not “bring down the bridges to Europe.”