Swiss voters decide Sunday on capping population at 10 million
Swiss voters head to the polls on Sunday on a far-right SVP initiative that would cap the country's population at 10 million. Polls suggest the measure is set to narrowly fail; business groups and the government warn that approval would damage relations with the EU and the labour market.
The 'Liveable Switzerland' initiative, launched by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), would require population to stay below 10 million by 2050. Switzerland's current population stands at 8.9 million, and is shrinking without migration. The SVP says approval would force Bern to renegotiate or terminate its free-movement agreement with the EU.
The federal government and large business groups including economiesuisse and the industry federation Swissmem say the measure would jeopardise access to the EU single market. Investors are concerned that big employers such as Roche, Nestlé and UBS would face tighter access to skilled labour. A recent poll for Tagesanzeiger expects the initiative to be rejected by about 53%.
The vote lands as migration debates are intensifying across Europe, from Germany to Austria. The European Commission has reminded Bern that the entire bilateral package signed with Switzerland would lapse should the free-movement clause be terminated. Postal-ballot counting begun on Saturday evening is due to wrap by 17:00 on Sunday.
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