Switzerland votes on right-wing bid to cap country’s population

Switzerland is holding a vote championed by the main right-wing party to cap the country’s population at 10 million, a move that could jeopardise its relations with the European Union.

Final ballots were cast on Sunday, after the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) put the measure forward, having fanned anti-migration sentiment over the years.

Driven by concerns on immigration, pressure on public services and housing, the constitutional change pitched by the SVP would mandate that the population must not exceed 10 million by 2050. Official projections put it on track to hit that figure by the early 2040s.

Results of the vote are expected to begin coming in at about midday (10:00 GMT).

Recent polling from the gfs.bern agency suggested it could be a close contest.

If the population reaches 9.5 million before 2050, the government would be forced to restrict asylum, family reunification and residency permits, and may have to scrap Switzerland’s EU deal on the free movement of people.

The SVP says the “sustainability initiative” is necessary because Switzerland’s infrastructure, housing, social programmes, natural resources and way of life have been strained by demographic growth.

Critics of a population cap say the boom in migration over the last generation has brought foreign labour and skills to sectors such as healthcare, finance, pharmaceuticals, and technology. Some also worry the proposal, if approved, would weaken critical ties with Brussels. The EU is Switzerland’s top trading partner.