Switzerland has ruled out limiting the population to 10 million, according to polls
Fifty-five per cent of voters voted against the initiative promoted by the Swiss People's Party to curb immigration and tighten asylum standards.
A polling station near Bern. Photo: EFE
Switzerland will not limitthe population to 10 million. As they often do, they have had a referendum in the Swiss country today. This time, the Swiss had to decide whether or not to implement measures to curb population growth.
The initiative has been proposed and promoted by the Swiss People's Party (SVP) ("No to Switzerland of ten million") on the grounds that the number of foreigners has risen unchecked in recent years.
According to polling stations, 55% of voters voted against the initiative, which is not definitive, but it should be noted that the margin of error in the polls is 3%.
Switzerland 's population has grown rapidlyin recent years, from 7.3 million in 2002 to 9.1 million in 2026, an increase of almost 25% in 24 years.
Almost a third of the population was born abroad.
Eighty per cent of the population increase is due to immigration, since the Swiss have an average of 1.3 children. Currently, 27 per cent of the population (more than 2 million people) are born abroad, and the percentage is higher in the corners of the border.
The Group of the European People's Party (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (Christian Democrats (Christian Democrats) and European Democrats (Democrats) proposed limiting the population to 10 million by 2050, limiting immigration, including that of the EU, and tightening of asylum rules.
The Free Movement of Persons Agreement, at stake
Opponents of the initiative feared that if they won the 'yes' vote it would seriously undermine the relationship between Switzerland and the European Union (EU). Switzerland is not a Member State but has a Free Movement of Persons Agreement, which allows EU citizens to enter, live and work in Switzerland with rights similar to those of the Swiss.
Groups other than the SVP have opposed the initiative, arguing that the measure would have an impact on the dependence of certain sectors (such as health and construction) on foreign labour or the high need for skilled workers from other countries.
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