On June 14, Switzerland will hold a referendum in which citizens will vote on whether to cap the country’s population at 10 million. This initiative, supported by the Swiss People’s Party, is framed as a measure for sustainable development aimed at alleviating pressure on housing, public services, and the environment.
Opposition to the proposal comes from the government, various political factions, business leaders, and trade unions, who label it a “chaos initiative.” Critics argue that implementing such a cap could lead to a shortage of essential workers in sectors like healthcare and hospitality, jeopardize relations with the European Union, and potentially isolate Switzerland on the global stage.
Switzerland’s population has been on a steady rise since 2002, when it numbered approximately 7.3 million. As of now, the population stands at about 9.1 million, with 27% of residents being foreign-born.
The proposed initiative stipulates that the population must not exceed 10 million by the year 2050. Should the population reach 9.5 million, the government would be required to take action. If the population surpasses 10 million, Switzerland would have to withdraw from international agreements that hinder such a cap, including the free movement of people from the EU.
Switzerland’s system of direct democracy allows significant political decisions to be made through referendums, with a national vote triggered by gathering 100,000 signatures.
Concerns among voters include overcrowded public transport, high housing costs, and rising medical insurance expenses. Business representatives express fears about potential labor shortages and loss of access to the European job market.
A key question for voters is how the population limit would be enforced, as no country has previously implemented such a strict cap on population size.
Switzerland is set to vote on a referendum that proposes limiting the population to 10 million by 2050. The initiative, supported by the Swiss People's Party, faces significant opposition from various sectors concerned about its potential economic and social impacts.
Source: BBC