Voters in Switzerland are going to the polls to decide whether the European nation should limit its population to 10 million. The proposal has been backed by the right-wing populist Swiss People’s Party, which has the most seats in the country’s Parliament, describing it as a “sustainability initiative” designed to ease pressure on issues such as housing and public services.
The federal Government, all other major parties and business leaders have rejected the idea, condemned as a “chaos initiative”. Critics have argued that Switzerland gets needed labour, expertise and skills from foreigners in sectors including healthcare, finance, pharmaceuticals and technology. EconomieSuisse, a leading association of Swiss businesses, said the initiative is an “absurd proposal” that threatens Switzerland’s security and prosperity.
Bernard Bapst, a People’s Party lawmaker and a former customs official, rejected any risk to security and said “various forms of criminality” have risen since Switzerland adopted an open-border policy.
Supporters have grown frustrated over an influx of expatriates from the neighbouring European Union and claim Swiss infrastructure, housing, social projects, natural resources and way of life have been strained under demographic growth.
Since Switzerland and the EU eased restrictions on citizens living and working across their borders in 2002, the Swiss population has grown by 23%, to 9.1 million as of the end of last year.
Swiss Government data also shows economic output has increased by 24% over the same period.
The national vote on whether to cap Switzerland’s population at 10 million by 2050 will culminate with in-person balloting on Sunday.
Up to 90% of voters typically have their say by post in Swiss referendums, which are usually held four times a year.
Under the proposal, the Swiss government is ordered to take action if the population reaches 9.5 million before 2050.
This would include enacting restrictions on asylum, family reunification and residency permits.
The Government could also be forced to scrap the country’s deal on the free movement of people with the EU.
Recent polling suggests the referendum is expected to be a close call.
For the proposal to be passed, it must win both the popular vote and a majority of Switzerland’s 26 cantons.
