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The Swiss government on Monday rejected a proposal by a hard-right party seeking to limit immigration to prevent the country’s population from reaching 10 million before 2050, warning that the plan could strain Switzerland’s relations with the European Union.
The proposal, titled “No to a Switzerland of 10 million residents,” was put forward by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP), the country’s largest political party.
Swiss voters are scheduled to decide on the measure in a referendum on June 14.
In a statement, the government argued that the initiative could threaten Switzerland’s economic stability, domestic security and long-standing humanitarian values.
Officials also warned that the proposal could undermine the country’s established framework of bilateral agreements with the European Union (EU).
Switzerland’s population has recently surpassed nine million. The proposed measure seeks to ensure that the number of permanent residents does not exceed 10 million before 2050.
If the threshold is reached earlier, the government would be required to terminate international agreements that supporters of the initiative believe contribute to population growth.
The proposal also states that after 2050, authorities could adjust the population limit depending on the difference between birth and death rates.
The government cautioned that implementing such a policy could have significant consequences, including potential disruptions to the agreement on the free movement of people with the European Union.
Officials said the initiative could jeopardise the broader system of bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and the EU.
Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it is surrounded by EU countries, Germany, France, Italy and Austria , and is part of Europe’s Schengen open-border area.
Earlier this month, Switzerland and the European Union signed a set of agreements aimed at strengthening cooperation in areas such as trade, transport and the movement of people.
The government noted that the agreements include a safeguard clause allowing Switzerland to impose temporary limits on immigration if serious economic or social challenges arise.
However, the package of agreements still requires approval from the Swiss parliament and is expected to be put to a public referendum in 2027.
According to the Federal Statistical Office, Switzerland’s population currently stands at about 9.14 million, up from 9.05 million at the end of 2024. About 27 percent of residents are foreign nationals.
Official figures show that migration accounts for most of the country’s population growth.
Supporters of the proposal argue that immigration is placing increasing pressure on infrastructure, housing and the environment, insisting that stronger controls are needed.
Under Switzerland’s system of direct democracy, citizens can force a national vote on policy proposals by collecting at least 100,000 valid signatures within 18 months.
Switzerland’s seven-member federal government includes two ministers from the SVP, among them President Guy Parmelin, although government decisions are taken collectively.
