Bern, Switzerland. Swiss voters rejected a proposal to cap the country’s population at 10 million, according to a projection by national broadcaster SRF. The measure was opposed by 55% of voters and backed by about 45%, the projection showed.
Projected result
SRF, which traditionally calls referendum votes, projected on Sunday that the proposal had failed. Polls had forecast a close outcome, and the result was in line with a final survey by GFS Bern that predicted the measure would be narrowly rejected.
Proposal details
The proposal was championed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party. It stipulated that Switzerland’s population must not exceed 10 million before 2050 and that, if it did so for two years, the country should end freedom of movement with the European Union.
Economic and EU concerns
The vote was likened to Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum and had put businesses on edge because of concerns it could end the free movement of labour between Switzerland and the EU, the country’s main trading partner. Voters prioritised economic stability and ties with the EU over concerns that immigration was straining public services and pushing up rents.
Reasons for rejection
Urs Bieri of polling firm GFS Bern said the initiative failed because, although concern about population growth is widespread, voters were not convinced by the plan and were worried about possible side-effects.
“Voters were worried about negative consequences for Switzerland’s relationship with the EU and for the labour market,” he said.
“People are also worried about things like having enough care and health workers. Also there’s a feeling that in the current international environment it’s not sensible for a small country to do this,” Bieri added.
Population trends
Switzerland’s population stands at 9.1 million and has grown more quickly than in the surrounding EU. Foreigners make up nearly 28% of the population, and official projections forecast that the total population will reach 10 million by the early 2040s.
