Swiss voters reject proposal to cap population at 10 million
Far-right plan would have obliged the Swiss government to limit the population, currently 9.1 million, to 10 million by 2050
TL;DR
- Swiss voters rejected a far-right proposal to cap the country's population at 10 million.
- The proposal by the Swiss People's party (SVP) was defeated by 54.79% of voters.
- A different outcome would have required the government to limit population growth and potentially withdraw from the EU's free movement agreement.
- The SVP argued the cap was necessary due to population growth straining infrastructure and resources.
- Voters were concerned about negative consequences for Switzerland's relationship with the EU and the labor market.
- The Swiss government and business groups opposed the initiative, citing risks to national stability, the economy, and prosperity.
- Switzerland's population has grown by 23% since the free movement agreement took effect in 2002.