Switzerland is set to hold a referendum this summer on a controversial proposal by the far-right Swiss People's Party (SVP) to cap the country's population at 10 million. This move, opponents argue, could cripple the economy and threaten key agreements with the EU. The government has announced that the referendum on the SVP's "No to a 10 million Switzerland" initiative will be held on June 10th. The initiative would oblige the Swiss government and parliament to act if the country's permanent population exceeds 9.5 million, by denying entry to newcomers, including asylum seekers and the families of foreign residents. If the population reaches 10 million, further restrictions would come into force, and the government would be required to withdraw from the free-movement agreement with the EU, its biggest export market. Switzerland's population has grown rapidly due to economic success, attracting both low-skilled workers and highly paid corporate expats. About 27% of Swiss residents are non-citizens, and the SVP, the country's largest political party, argues that the "population explosion" is straining public infrastructure and services. However, the party's radical nationalist proposals, such as automatic deportation of immigrants found guilty of minor offenses and ending free movement with the EU, have not been well-received. Switzerland's system of direct democracy allows citizens to propose popular initiatives, but only about 10% pass. A poll in December revealed broad support for the "No to a 10 million Switzerland" initiative, reflecting a deeply divided sentiment about the country's openness in a fast-changing world. Opponents, including multinationals like Roche, UBS, and Nestlé, argue that the proposal would jeopardize bilateral agreements with the EU, including a deal on single market access. Economiesuisse, a leading business lobby, has described it as the "chaos initiative" and warned that many Swiss companies rely on EU workers, and without them, they will have to relocate abroad, impacting tax revenue and services. Rival parties argue that a close relationship with Europe is Switzerland's only option, as about half of the country's exports go to the EU. Employers' associations have stated that the population will increase mainly through natural growth and longer life expectancy.
