In Switzerland, citizens are set to vote on the initiative “No to 10 million Switzerland!” aimed at keeping the population under 10 million by 2050. Proposed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), this measure, which gathered over 100,000 signatures, is viewed as a “sustainability initiative” that targets unchecked immigration, which the SVP claims strains housing, public services, and the environment.
As of the end of 2025, Switzerland’s population is projected to be around 9.1 million, with 27% being non-nationals. The initiative would require parliament to limit asylum and family reunification if the population exceeds 9.5 million; reaching 10 million would necessitate terminating free movement agreements with the EU.
Opinion polls indicate a narrow defeat for the proposal, with government and business groups arguing it would harm the economy and key European relations. Many sectors, including healthcare and construction, rely on foreign labor, which could exacerbate labor shortages. Additionally, concerns exist that the initiative might jeopardize vital trading agreements with the EU, given that over half of Switzerland’s exports go to this partner.
Experts, including Rudolf Minsch from EconomySwitzerland, criticize the proposal as misleading, suggesting it doesn’t effectively address housing or transport issues.
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