Swiss reject population cap in referendum, avoiding EU clash and cheering Business

Source: Reuters/yahoo

ZURICH, June 14 (Reuters) - Switzerland on Sunday rejected a proposal to cap its population at 10 million as voters prioritised economic stability and ties with the European Union over worries immigration was stretching public services and pushing up rents.

A ‌preliminary tally of a nationwide referendum showed almost 55% of Swiss voters came out against the proposal, and 45% in favour.

The vote, which was ‌likened to Britain's 2016 Brexit referendum, had put businesses on edge due to concerns it could end the free movement of labour between Switzerland and the EU, the country's main trading partner.

Championed by the ​right-wing Swiss People's Party, the proposal stipulated that the population must not exceed 10 million before 2050, and that if it did so for two years, Switzerland should end freedom of movement with the EU.


Read more: https://www.yahoo.com/news/politics/articles/switzerland-votes-proposal-cap-population-000244921.html

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The Swiss population already stands at 9.1 million and has grown far more quickly than in the surrounding EU. Foreigners make up nearly 28% of the total, which official projections forecast will reach 10 million by the early 2040s.

Polls had forecast a close ​outcome. ​In the end, the 'no' camp's victory was clearer than many analysts had expected.