Swiss Voters Reject Plan to Cap Population at 10 Million

Swiss voters on Sunday rejected a referendum proposal that would have restricted free movement, halted immigration and capped the country’s population at 10 million. A sample published by Swiss broadcaster SRF showed 55% against and 45% in favor, with turnout at about 58%. Final results will be released later.

The initiative was advanced by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, known as SVP. Under the plan, if Switzerland’s population passed the 10 million mark by 2050, the country would have had to end its free-movement policy with the European Union. Business groups warned that would threaten the labor market and Switzerland’s ties with the EU, one of its main trade partners.

SVP chairman Marcel Dettling said the measure was popular in rural areas but failed to win urban support. “No problem has been solved, we will continue to push for sensible immigration,” he said. Business organizations welcomed the rejection, saying, “The rejection of the initiative sends an important message, Switzerland is open and remains an international business hub.”

Opponents feared a confrontation with Brussels, especially as U.S. President Donald Trump had imposed the highest tariffs in Europe on Swiss goods. The anti-initiative campaign used that backdrop in posters showing Trump smiling with the slogan, “Cutting ties with Europe, just now?” Pollster Urs Bieri said many voters were worried not only about immigration overall, but about practical shortages in care, medicine and services. Immigration expert Patrick Leisibach said economic arguments were decisive, because people asked how a yes vote would affect daily life. Switzerland’s population is already 9.1 million, almost 28% are foreign nationals, and official projections say it could reach 10 million by 2040.