Swiss voters have rejected a controversial proposal to limit the country’s population to 10 million people, dealing a setback to the anti-immigration campaign of the right-wing Swiss People’s Party.
Key Highlights:
- Swiss voters rejected a proposal to limit the country’s population to 10 million.
- About 55% voted against the measure, while 45% supported it.
- The proposal was backed by the anti-immigration Swiss People’s Party.
- Opponents warned it could harm the economy and relations with the EU.
- The vote reflects continued debate over immigration and population growth.
Official results showed that nearly 55% of voters opposed the measure, while about 45% supported it.
The referendum recorded a turnout of around 60%, reflecting strong public interest in an issue that had dominated political debate across Switzerland.
The proposal, championed by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), sought to curb population growth, arguing that rising immigration was placing increasing pressure on housing, transport networks, schools, healthcare services and the environment.
Had the initiative passed, Switzerland could have been forced to end its free movement agreement with the European Union, potentially affecting trade and labour mobility.
Welcoming the outcome, Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans described the result as “a sign of stability, openness and reliability.”
Switzerland’s population has expanded significantly over the past two decades, rising from 7.3 million in 2002 to approximately 9.1 million today.
About 27% of residents are foreign nationals, one of the highest proportions in Europe.
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Supporters of the proposal argued that limiting population growth would help ease pressure on public services and infrastructure.
However, opponents warned that the measure could damage the economy by restricting access to foreign workers, particularly in sectors such as tourism, healthcare and elderly care, which rely heavily on immigrant labour.
Business groups also expressed concern that the initiative could jeopardise Switzerland’s close economic relationship with the European Union, its largest trading partner.
More than half of Swiss exports are sold within the EU market, and continued access is linked to Switzerland’s commitment to the free movement of people.
Following the result, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, welcomed the decision, saying the Swiss people had reaffirmed the strong partnership between Switzerland and the European Union.
Despite the defeat of the proposal, concerns over rising housing costs, urban development, crowded public transport and healthcare expenses remain prominent issues in Swiss politics.
SVP President Marcel Dettling said the vote demonstrated that citizens still expect solutions to these challenges, insisting that “not a single problem has been solved.”
The referendum also highlighted a clear urban-rural divide. Major cities, including the capital, Bern, overwhelmingly rejected the proposal, while tourism-dependent regions such as St. Moritz and Zermatt voted against measures that could restrict access to foreign workers.
The result is widely seen as a sign that Swiss voters remain cautious about policies that could isolate the country from Europe, even as debates over immigration and population growth continue.
