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Swiss voters appear to have rejected a controversial anti-immigration proposal that sought to cap the country’s population at 10 million, according to early projections released on Sunday.
Shortly after polls closed at noon (1000 GMT), the gfs.bern institute indicated that around 55 per cent of voters opposed the move. The result marks a setback for the hard-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP), which had warned that unchecked migration was driving pressure on housing, transport, and public services.
The initiative, titled “No to a Switzerland with 10 million!”, aimed to restrict population growth in the wealthy Alpine state, which currently has about 9.1 million residents. If adopted, it would have imposed strict limits on immigration before 2050.
Reaction to the projected outcome was swift.
“We are very relieved and happy. This is an important result for our country and for our relations with the EU,” said Monika Ruhl, Director of employers’ group economiesuisse, speaking to RTS. The organisation had been among those warning that the proposal could damage Switzerland’s economy and its relationship with the European Union.
While opinion polls had suggested a close race, supporters of the measure insisted limits were necessary.
“There has to be a limit,” said retiree Gilles Hirt in Bern, comparing population growth to overcrowding on a ship. “If it is designed for 150 people and you put 250 onboard, it becomes too small; if you put 350 onboard, it will sink.”
SVP leaders maintained that “mass immigration” was fuelling rising rents, congestion, and infrastructure strain. Party parliamentarian Celine Amaudruz expressed disappointment with the projected outcome, arguing that Switzerland faced “colossal challenges” linked to migration. Another SVP figure, Yvan Pahud, stressed that “Switzerland is a small country that cannot be expanded,” adding, “We do not want to welcome all of Europe.”
Opposition was broad, spanning government figures, parliamentarians, and business groups. Critics argued the proposal was economically damaging and politically isolating.
Separately, Swiss voters also weighed a proposal affecting civilian service linked to the country’s conscription system. Early projections suggested the measure would pass narrowly, though officials noted a margin of error that leaves the final result uncertain.
Switzerland maintains compulsory military service for men under its militia system, while allowing conscientious objectors to undertake civilian service, a pathway whose popularity has steadily grown since reforms over the past two decades.
