Voters in Switzerland on Sunday voted against a proposal to limit the Alpine country’s population to 10 million by 2050.
The proposal was rejected by 54.8% against 45.2%, according to final results published by national broadcaster SRF.
Under Switzerland’s system of direct democracy, referendums are mostly binding in their effect.
The proposal was 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.
Edited by: Roshni Majumdar