Swiss voters reject proposal to cap population at 10mn

Swiss voters rejected a proposal to cap the country's population at 10 million people on November 26, 2023. Early projections indicated that 54 percent of voters opposed the initiative, which was championed by the rightwing Swiss People's Party (SVP). The SVP had argued that uncontrolled immigration was straining the country's infrastructure and environment, proposing that Switzerland should not exceed the 10 million population mark. Had the initiative passed, it would have mandated the government to take measures to limit population growth, including potentially suspending agreements with the European Union that allow for free movement of people. The proposal also aimed to prioritize Swiss citizens for housing and jobs. Opponents of the initiative, including the government and a broad coalition of political parties and business groups, argued that it was unworkable, economically damaging, and would damage Switzerland's international relations, particularly with the EU. They highlighted the economic benefits of immigration and the importance of free movement agreements for Switzerland's prosperity and its role as a global financial center. The rejection of the initiative signifies a public preference for maintaining current immigration policies and economic ties over population control measures.