Swiss voters are casting their ballots today, Sunday, on a proposal aimed at capping the country's population. The referendum, drawing comparisons to Britain’s Brexit vote, could carry far-reaching consequences for the economy and Bern's relations with the European Union.
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The constitutional amendment, brought forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), mandates that the population must not exceed 10 million before the year 2050, amid growing concerns over immigration and strain on public services and housing.
Official projections indicate that Switzerland is currently on track to reach this figure by the early 2040s.
This unprecedented proposal comes amid growing efforts by the political right across Europe to impose stricter curbs on immigration, fueled by discontent over the cost of living, sluggish economic growth, and crime.
"If the population exceeds 10 million, things will become difficult... immigration must be restricted," said Helen Jolly, a 58-year-old part-time shop worker of Kenyan origin in Zurich, who cast a postal vote in favor of the population cap.
The first voting results are expected to start emerging from 10:00 GMT.
If approved, hitting the 10-million threshold would trigger a process that could force Switzerland to terminate its free movement of people agreement with the European Union, whose member states supply a significant portion of the workforce in this mountainous nation. The aging population of Switzerland already stands at over nine million, and polls indicate that voters are deeply divided.
A final poll conducted this month showed a decline in support for the proposal, following an earlier survey that had suggested it could pass.
(Agencies)
