Swiss voters reject population cap in referendum

Swiss voters seem to have turned down a contentious proposal to limit the nation's population, with early projections indicating around 55% opposition. The initiative, championed by the hard-right Swiss People's Party (SVP), sought to prevent the population from exceeding 10 million before 2050.

“

We are very relieved and happy. This is an important result for our country and for our relations with the EU.

Supporters of the proposal argued that rapid immigration was causing problems like housing shortages, rising rents, and traffic congestion. "There has to be a limit," one retiree told AFP, comparing Switzerland to an overloaded ship. The SVP insisted that drastic measures were necessary, blaming "mass immigration" for a host of issues.

“

There has to be a limit. If it is designed for 150 people and you put 250 onboard, it becomes too small. If you put 350 onboard, it will sink.

However, the initiative faced broad opposition from the government, parliament, and various economic sectors. "In a globalised world, it's just stupid to try and close borders and put a number on the people that can be in here," said one teacher. Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans had warned that the vote could trigger a Swiss "Brexit."

“

Switzerland is a small country that cannot be expanded. [We] do not want to welcome all of Europe.

Monika Ruhl, director of employers' organisation economiesuisse, expressed relief and happiness with the projected outcome. "This is an important result for our country and for our relations with the EU," she told RTS. The outcome is seen as a significant win for those advocating for open borders and continued economic engagement with the European Union.

“

the stakes are very high