Swiss voters to decide on population cap amid tight race

Switzerland is set to vote on a controversial population cap initiative, a move championed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) aiming to curb immigration. The proposal seeks to limit the country's population to 10 million by 2050. Currently, Switzerland is home to approximately 9.1 million residents, including a significant German population.

If the initiative passes, the country would need to restrict asylum and family reunification processes once the population reaches 9.5 million, a threshold expected in the 2030s. Should these measures prove insufficient, the initiative also allows for the termination of the bilateral agreement on the free movement of people with the European Union.

Recent polls indicate a tight race, with initial surveys favoring the initiative's approval. However, a noticeable trend reversal occurred in the two weeks leading up to the vote, suggesting a potentially close outcome. Historically, Swiss referendum results have often diverged significantly from pre-vote polling, adding an element of uncertainty to Sunday's decision.