Swiss voters reject population limit referendum

Swiss voters are leaning towards rejecting a referendum that proposed capping the nation's population at 10 million by 2050. Early projections suggest the "No to a Switzerland of 10 million!" initiative, launched by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, will fail.

The outcome was uncertain, with the "no" campaign holding a narrow 52% lead in the final poll. The initiative aimed to enshrine population growth limits in the federal constitution, mandating corrective measures once the population reached 9.5 million. Ultimately, it could have forced Switzerland to withdraw from the agreement on the free movement of people with the European Union.

The "no" side garnered support from a broad coalition, including the Federal Council, Parliament, cantons, the left, and parts of the right. Voters also considered a separate referendum on changes to the civil service law, which proposed stricter conditions for participation, with polls showing a divided electorate.