Switzerland will hold a referendum in June on whether to cap its population at 10 million. There are currently 9.1 million people living in the landlocked European country.
The proposal, ‘No to a 10 million Switzerland,’ came from the far-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) with the referendum triggered when 100,000 citizens signed a petition in support of the vote. They claim Switzerland’s rapid population increase is having a negative impact on the country’s infrastructure and rental prices.
If the proposal is approved, the government and parliament would have to act once the population exceeds 9.5 million, including making it not only harder to enter Switzerland but also for foreigners to become residents. Switzerland, which is not part of the European Union, has an agreement with the bloc over the free movement of people — which would have to be revised. If the population reaches 10 million, harsher measures would be taken.
The proposal is opposed by not only the Swiss government but also many business leaders. They say if it passes, the economy and bilateral agreements with the European Union — Switzerland’s largest export market — could be in jeopardy.
The referendum will be held on June 14.
Source: DW
