Swiss Voters Reject Population Limit Proposal in Referendum

Swiss voters rejected a proposal to limit the country's population to 10 million by 2050, with preliminary results indicating that approximately 54 percent of ballots cast were against the initiative. Results were reported from 25 of the 26 cantons. The referendum was significant, as a 'yes' vote could have impacted Switzerland's free-movement agreement with the European Union, which is crucial for trade, given that 60 percent of Swiss goods are sold to the EU. German lawmaker David McAllister commented that the outcome reflects a commitment to reliability and cooperation with Europe. The proposal was put forth by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, which argued it would alleviate environmental and public service pressures. Opponents of the measure highlighted potential negative effects on sectors like healthcare, where foreign-born workers are prevalent, and warned of the risks of isolation amid geopolitical instability. Switzerland's current population stands at 9.1 million, projected to exceed 10 million by the early 2040s, with 28 percent of the population being foreign-born. The referendum saw a turnout of 59 percent, with 45 percent voting in favor of the proposal, indicating a divided public sentiment on immigration issues.