Voters in Switzerland voted on Sunday to decide the fate of a proposal to limit the Alpine country’s population to 10 million by 2050.
Initial estimates from national broadcaster SRF indicated that the proposal was rejected by around 55%, while 45% were in favour.
Under Switzerland’s system of direct democracy, referendums are mostly binding in their effect.
The proposal has been put forward by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which has the largest number of seats in the Swiss Parliament.
Currently the population of Switzerland is 9.1 million.
diverse population proposal
Those in favor of the SVP proposal say immigration into Switzerland, where the foreign population is more than 25%, has led to overcrowding and blocked services in the small country.
However, its critics say it would have many unwanted side effects if adopted.
Among other things, the business community has expressed concerns that this could end the free movement of labor between Switzerland and its main trading partner, the EU.
The proposal states that if the population exceeds 10 million for more than two years before 2050, the agreement with the EU should be cancelled.
Other opponents of the proposal say they fear a shortage of health or care workers if immigration is curbed.
More to follow.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar