Swiss voters reject 10 million population cap, early projections say

BBC;

Voters in Switzerland have rejected a proposal to limit the country’s population to 10 million, early projections suggest.

Not all votes have been counted, but the current trend suggests 55% of participants voted against, to 45% for.

The proposal came from the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, which has long campaigned on an anti-immigration platform.

The divisive vote risked putting the country’s free movement agreement with the European Union in jeopardy.

Switzerland’s population has grown rapidly since 2002, when it stood at 7.3 million. Now it is 9.1 million, 27% of whom are not Swiss citizens.

However, the People Party’s argument that capping the population would reduce pressure on transport, housing and the environment seem not to have persuaded enough voters.

Although the Swiss People’s Party insisted the population cap was designed to protect Switzerland’s public services and its environment, it has a long history of campaigning on an anti immigrant platform, frequently blaming asylum seekers and minorities for societal problems.

Some voters were seemingly worried at the prospect of losing much-needed workers in tourism, hospitals, and care homes.

Others, in particular Swiss business leaders, feared losing Switzerland’s crucial access to Europe’s single market.

Over half of all Swiss products are sold into the EU, but their access to Europe’s markets depends on Swiss commitment to Europe’s free movement of people. Had the population cap been approved, Switzerland would have had to terminate that agreement.

It is also likely that some Swiss voters were nervous about a move which could leave their country isolated in what is a very unstable world.

Although neutral, Switzerland, like its neighbours in Europe, is spending more on defence, and has been exploring ways to co-ordinate more closely with European on security.

Switzerland’s system of direct democracy means all major decisions are taken via the ballot box. Campaigners simply have to gather 100,000 signatures to ensure a nationwide vote.