Lauge Risom Koch 
Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to cap the country’s population at 10 million people, avoiding a potential confrontation with the European Union and easing concerns among businesses.
Swiss voters have rejected a proposal to cap the country’s population at 10 million people, opting instead for economic stability and continued cooperation with the European Union.
The result removes the threat of a major confrontation with Brussels and comes as businesses warned that tighter immigration limits could harm the economy.
Clear rejection
According to Reuters, nearly 55% of voters opposed the proposal in Sunday’s nationwide referendum, while about 45% supported it.
The initiative, backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), would have required Switzerland to keep its population below 10 million before 2050. If that threshold was exceeded for two consecutive years, the country would have been expected to end its free movement agreement with the EU.
The vote had drawn comparisons with Britain’s Brexit referendum because of concerns about its potential impact on relations with Europe.
Stability first
Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans welcomed the outcome, describing it as a vote for continuity.
“With today’s decision, the electorate has sent out a signal of stability, openness, and reliability,” Jans said.
According to Reuters, many voters shared concerns about population growth but were reluctant to risk economic disruption or damage ties with Switzerland’s largest trading partner.
Pollster Urs Bieri said voters were also concerned about the potential impact on recruiting workers, including caregivers and other essential staff.
Immigration debate
Switzerland’s population currently stands at around 9.1 million, with foreign nationals accounting for nearly 28% of residents.
Official projections indicate the country could reach 10 million inhabitants in the early 2040s.
The campaign highlighted broader European debates over immigration, with supporters arguing that population growth is increasing pressure on housing and public services.
Opponents countered that restricting immigration would create labor shortages and weaken the economy.
Issue not settled
Business groups welcomed the result and called for closer economic cooperation with the EU.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also said Switzerland and the EU would continue working together for the benefit of citizens and businesses.
Despite the defeat, SVP leader Marcel Dettling argued that concerns about immigration remain unresolved.
Green Party lawmaker Sibel Arslan warned that the referendum had legitimized discussions about population limits and that the issue is likely to return.
“The genie is out of the bottle,” she said.
Sources: Reuters
