A preliminary count from the nationwide referendum on Sunday indicated that nearly 55% of Swiss voters opposed the proposal, while 45% supported it.
This vote, compared to Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum, had unsettled businesses due to fears it might halt the free movement of labor between Switzerland and the EU, its main trade partner.
The proposal, backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, required that the population should not exceed 10 million by 2050. If it did for two consecutive years, Switzerland would need to terminate the freedom of movement with the EU.
The Swiss government had advised voters to dismiss the cap. Justice Minister Beat Jans expressed satisfaction with the outcome but promised to explore further measures to address voter concerns about housing and immigration.
“Today’s decision reflects the electorate’s preference for stability, openness, and reliability,” Jans stated at a news conference with Swiss President Guy Parmelin.
Urs Bieri from the polling institute GFS Bern explained that the proposal was rejected because, although there is widespread concern about population growth, people feared it could harm Swiss-EU relations and complicate the recruitment of staff, including caregivers.
“In the current international climate, such a move seems unwise for a small country,” Bieri added.
FOREIGNERS 28% OF SWISS POPULATION
The Swiss population, currently at 9.1 million, has been growing faster than in surrounding EU countries. Foreigners constitute nearly 28% of the population, with projections estimating it will reach 10 million by the early 2040s.
Analysts had anticipated a close result, but the ‘no’ camp’s victory was more decisive than expected.
Zurich schoolteacher Jan Hesselmann, 27, expressed relief at the result but was troubled by the level of support the proposal received.
“It’s an incorrect approach; it promotes xenophobia,” he commented.
The cap proposal was part of a broader trend in Europe supporting immigration restrictions. Campaign materials claimed that only 10% of newcomers were skilled workers, and asylum seekers were more likely to commit crimes.
Voter turnout reached about 59%, significantly higher than the recent average of 48% for Swiss referendums.
Marcel Dettling, president of the Swiss People’s Party, noted that the initiative was popular in rural areas but ultimately defeated by urban voters.
“No problems have been addressed. We will continue advocating for sensible immigration policies.”
TABOO BROKEN
Business groups expressed relief at the referendum’s outcome, having warned that a population cap could restrict access to foreign workers, harm the economy, and strain relations with Brussels.
The business association economiesuisse encouraged Switzerland to capitalize on the result to ratify an agreement with Brussels, set for late 2024, to enhance bilateral economic ties.
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen affirmed that Brussels and Bern would maintain cooperative efforts for the benefit of their citizens and businesses.
Critics labeled the population cap a potential source of chaos due to the disruption it might cause.
They also questioned the wisdom of opposing Brussels after a challenging 2025 when President Donald Trump imposed the highest US tariffs in Europe on Swiss goods.
The ‘no’ campaign featured posters with a smiling Trump and the caption, “Breaking with Europe, now of all times?”
Sibel Arslan, a Green Party federal lawmaker, stated that the result confirmed Switzerland’s commitment to collaborating with its European neighbors. However, she cautioned that a taboo had been broken, likely to resurface.
“The damage is done,” she remarked. “This has legitimized discussions about capping the population. The genie is out of the bottle.”
