Early results show Swiss voters reject right-wing's bid to cap population at 10 million
AP News • • general
Key Points:
- Swiss voters have largely rejected a right-wing initiative to cap the country's population at 10 million, with preliminary results showing nearly 53% voting against the measure amid over 57% turnout.
- The Swiss People’s Party, which proposed the "sustainability initiative," argued that rapid population growth has strained infrastructure, housing, and social programs, but opponents warn it could harm Switzerland’s economic ties with the EU.
- Switzerland's population has grown by nearly 25% over the past generation, with foreigners making up about one-third, mainly from neighboring EU countries, contributing significantly to sectors like healthcare and technology.
- The initiative would have forced the government to restrict asylum, family reunification, and residency permits if the population reached 9.5 million by 2050, potentially jeopardizing Switzerland's agreements with the EU on free movement.
- Immigration remains a contentious issue in Switzerland, but unlike other European countries, most immigrants are European, and Swiss voters have historically been divided on immigration-related referendums.