Switzerland to cast world’s first ever vote on whether to cap population

Swiss voters will take up an unprecedented proposal to limit Switzerland’s population, part of a longtime push by right-wing leaders to cap the number of foreigners who migrate to the rich and economically vibrant Alpine country. A national vote on whether to cap Switzerland’s population at 10 million in coming decades culminates with in-person balloting on Sunday. Swiss democracy gives voters a direct say in policymaking through referendums typically held four times a year. The proposal is backed by the populist Swiss People’s Party, which has the most seats in parliament and has for years thrived off and fomented an isolationist streak in Switzerland. Recent polling from the gfs.bern agency suggested that it could be a close contest. A self-inflicted wound, or salvation for Swiss-ness? Supporters of the initiative dislike an influx of expatriates from the neighboring European Union, and say Swiss infrastructure, housing, social programs, natural resources and way of life have been strained under demographic growth. Critics say passage would amount to a self-inflicted wound, arguing that Switzerland benefits from closer EU ties, and gets needed labor, expertise and skills from foreigners in sectors like healthcare, finance, pharmaceuticals and technology. The federal government and Parliament oppose the idea. EconomieSuisse, a leading association of Swiss businesses, blasted it as an “absurd proposal” that threatens Switzerland’s security and prosperity. Bernard Bapst, a People’s Party lawmaker in the Fribourg region and a former customs official, rejected any risk to security and said “various forms of criminality” have risen since Switzerland adopted an open-border policy. Since Switzerland and the EU eased restrictions on citizens living and working across their borders in 2002, the Swiss population has grown by 23%, to 9.1 million as of the end of last year. Economic output has also increased, up 24% over the same period, government data show. “We are the