Referendum on Switzerland’s future: cap on population
World
Switzerland is set to hold a referendum on whether to cap the country’s permanent population at 10 million people. Voters will decide on the proposal on June 14.
The initiative, titled “No to a 10-million Switzerland!”, is promoted by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which has long campaigned against immigration.
Supporters argue that rapid population growth is putting pressure on infrastructure, driving up rents, and harming the environment. According to them, the population increased by more than 180,000 people in a single year.
The proposal seeks to enshrine in the constitution a goal of keeping the permanent population below 10 million by 2050. If the population exceeds 9.5 million, the government and parliament would be required to introduce restrictive measures, particularly in asylum and family reunification policies.
It also calls for a review of international agreements that contribute to population growth. If those measures prove insufficient, Switzerland could withdraw from its free-movement agreement with the European Union.
The government and the parliamentary majority oppose the initiative, saying it would create new problems rather than solve existing ones. Supporters, however, describe it as a “reasonable way” to bring immigration under control.
Over the past decade, Switzerland’s population has grown about five times faster than the average in neighboring EU countries. Official data show that around 27% of residents are not Swiss citizens.
Supporters argue that rapid population growth is putting pressure on infrastructure, driving up rents, and harming the environment. According to them, the population increased by more than 180,000 people in a single year.
The proposal seeks to enshrine in the constitution a goal of keeping the permanent population below 10 million by 2050. If the population exceeds 9.5 million, the government and parliament would be required to introduce restrictive measures, particularly in asylum and family reunification policies.
It also calls for a review of international agreements that contribute to population growth. If those measures prove insufficient, Switzerland could withdraw from its free-movement agreement with the European Union.
The government and the parliamentary majority oppose the initiative, saying it would create new problems rather than solve existing ones. Supporters, however, describe it as a “reasonable way” to bring immigration under control.
Over the past decade, Switzerland’s population has grown about five times faster than the average in neighboring EU countries. Official data show that around 27% of residents are not Swiss citizens.
Powered by Froala Editor