Swiss Voters Reject Population Cap and Immigration Limits

Early results from Switzerland’s referendum show voters rejecting a proposal to cap the country’s population at 10 million and sharply restrict immigration. Sunday evening polls after the close of voting indicated at least 55 percent opposed the measure, although the count was still ongoing.

The initiative came from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, which argued that stopping immigration would lower the cost of living and ease pressure on housing, transport, health care and other services. Supporters also wanted tougher limits on family reunification, residence permits and asylum.

Switzerland’s population has grown quickly in recent years, from 7.3 million in 2002 to 9.1 million today. About 28 percent of residents were not born in the country. Some voters likely rejected the proposal out of concern that it could deprive key sectors, including health care, tourism and transport, of needed workers.

If the population reached 10 million, the law would have required the government to leave the EU’s free movement system. Many opponents also feared it could weaken Switzerland’s access to the European market. Switzerland’s direct democracy system allows referendums on proposals that collect 100,000 signatures from citizens.