Switzerland holds Brexit-style referendum on 10 million population cap
Key takeaways
- The referendum reflects growing anti-immigration sentiment seen across Europe.
- Official projections put it on track to do so by the early 2040s.
- Results of the vote are expected to begin coming in from around midday (1000 GMT).
Why this matters: an international story with cross-border implications worth tracking.
Swiss voters will decide on Sunday whether to approve a proposal to cap the country's population at 10 million by 2050, a measure critics say could have Brexit-like consequences for the economy and relations with the European Union. The referendum reflects growing anti-immigration sentiment seen across Europe.
By: FRANCE 24 If the proposal is approved by voters, it could have far-reaching implications for Switzerland's relations with its European neighbours © SEBASTIEN BOZON, AFP Swiss voters decide on Sunday whether to back a proposal to cap the country's population in a referendum likened to Britain's Brexit vote, which could have far-reaching consequences for the economy and Bern's relations with the European Union.
Driven by concern about immigration, pressure on public services and housing, the constitutional change pitched by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, or SVP, would mandate that the population must not exceed 10 million by 2050. Official projections put it on track to do so by the early 2040s.