Die Schweizer warten auf das Ergebnis der Abstimmung über die Begrenzung der Bevölkerungszahl auf 10 Millionen
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/jun/13/swiss-wait-to-hear-result-of-ballot-on-capping-population-at-10-million
Von Interesting-Cat7307
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If the 10m threshold is still exceeded before 2050, the proposal by the far-right Swiss People’s party (SVP) would oblige the government to pull out of the country’s free movement agreement with the EU – ending its access to the bloc’s single market.“
How would that work? Say you’re at 10 million, are you then not allowed to have kids until somebody dies?
All of Europe: „Shit we are facing a demographic crisis and we need to do something!“
Switzerland: „Alright, no more kids!“
If you vote for this they should go ‘surprise! We’re actually at 12 million already!’ and then spin a big Price is Right wheel to see whether you’re getting deported.
Do it. Switzerland getting Brexited because they have people would be hilarious for the rest of Europe.
**The far-right proposal would require the government to put restrictions in place to limit the population by 2050**
[Jon Henley](https://www.theguardian.com/profile/jonhenley) Europe correspondent
Sat 13 Jun 2026 07.00 CEST
A national ballot on an unprecedented far-right proposal to [limit Switzerland’s population to 10 million](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/feb/12/switzerland-to-vote-on-far-right-proposal-to-cap-population-at-10-million) concludes this weekend, amid warnings of devastating consequences for the country’s economy if voters back the initiative.
A “yes” vote would require the Swiss government to take steps to cap the population at 10 million by 2050, enacting tough restrictions on family reunification, residency permits and asylum if the number reaches 9.5 million before that date.
If the 10m threshold is still exceeded before 2050, the proposal by the far-right Swiss People’s party (SVP) would oblige the government to pull out of the country’s free movement agreement with the EU – ending its access to the bloc’s single market.
[Switzerland’s system of direct democracy](https://www.theguardian.com/news/2019/mar/11/referendums-who-holds-them-why-and-are-they-always-a-dogs-brexit) allows for “popular initiatives” that are put to a referendum if they get 100,000 backers within 18 months. Typically held four times a year, plebiscites are a long-favoured tool of the anti-immigration SVP.
Switzerland’s population has grown far faster than that of surrounding EU states, rising by 23% since the free movement agreement came into effect in 2002. Economic output has risen by about 24% over the same period, government figures show.
About 27% of Swiss residents are not citizens. Supporters of the “No to a Switzerland with 10 million” initiative say the influx of mainly EU workers puts housing, schools, transport, welfare and the Swiss way of life itself under unbearable strain.
“Uncontrolled immigration is causing Switzerland to grow far too quickly. The negative consequences are palpable in all areas of life,” the SVP, the largest party in Switzerland’s parliament since 1999, argued in its campaign.
The seven-member government, made up of ministers from Switzerland’s four biggest parties, including the SVP, is collectively against the initiative, warning it would [threaten national stability, harm the economy and hurt Swiss prosperity](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jun/09/switzerland-tired-prosperity-foolish-referendum-population-cap?utm_term=6a296de104934170fb98ac5651464abc&utm_campaign=ThisIsEurope&utm_source=esp&utm_medium=Email&CMP=thisiseurope_email).
Clear majorities in both houses of parliament have also recommended rejecting the proposal, as have the Swiss trade union federation, the Swiss Employers’ Association and Economiesuisse, the country’s main business umbrella organisation.
Rudolf Minsch, Economiesuisse’s chief economist, said the proposal was a populist attempt to fix complex problems with a simplistic artificial cap. “It sells the illusion of a free lunch, and will not solve our housing or traffic problems,” he said.
Thomas Matter, an SVP MP, dismissed the concerns as scaremongering. “We are not against immigration, but it has to be moderate and controlled,” he said. “Before, we had qualitative immigration; now we have quantitative immigration.”
Populist rightwing parties in Europe have successfully exploited – and inflamed – concerns over immigration, reflected in Britain’s 2016 Brexit vote and in surging support for parties such as [France’s National Rally](https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2026/jan/20/the-guardian-view-on-the-french-far-right-mainstream-parties-are-running-out-of-time) and [the AfD in Germany](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/dec/29/germanys-far-right-afd-invited-to-join-munich-security-conference-2026).
However, while many nations limit immigration, no country has ever voted explicitly to cap its population, Philippe Wanner, an expert in demography at the University of Geneva, said – although countries such as China have legislated to reduce growth.
Like many European countries, Switzerland needs immigration because birthrates are falling and it faces a steadily ageing population, with the proportion of people aged over 65 due to climb to more than 27% from 21% by 2055.
Recent opinion polls suggest the campaign against the proposal has gained ground since the referendum was announced in February, but most surveys have pointed to a close race, with the “no” camp predicted to win with about 52% of the vote.
Polling stations will open briefly on Sunday to allow in-person votes, but up to 90% of voters in Swiss referendums typically vote by post. To pass, the initiative must win both the popular vote and a majority of Switzerland’s 23 full and six half cantons.
Results should be known by mid to late afternoon on Sunday.
Even if it passed the government will find a way to circumvent it.
What would happen when 10 million people are Swiss-born nationals instead of any migrants? Do they just deport you? TT
>If the 10m threshold is still exceeded before 2050, the proposal by the far-right Swiss People’s party (SVP) would oblige the government to pull out of the country’s free movement agreement with the EU – ending its access to the bloc’s single market.
„Destroying the economy of the country is worth it if we can stop immigration!“ – SVP Idiots
it’s all just another way to quit the bilaterals with the EU and to show the immigrants another middle finger dmfor working in switzerland instead of regulating salaries, the housing market and actually making people pay fines for crippling the normal joe from middle and low class
Just promote one child policy like China, I heard it did wonders
I heard about this a few months ago but didn’t pay much attention. How likely is it to actually get approved?
Am I the only one that hopes they vote yes, just to watch all those European billionaire tax dodgers that moved to Switzerland finally realizing how screwed they are?
Even if it passes, nothing will happen as with other referendums. Swiss government will find a way of escaping the full implementation. Switzerland is ruled by corporations- there is no way anyone would allow this, the economy relies too heavily on foreign investment and workforce.
That’s actually rather fair. Immigration is proposed as a solution to an aging population. If that’s the goal, the population should never need to exceed its peak right now. 10M gives you breathing room, but enough immigration to sustain yourself.
10.000.000 population
Swiss: 😃
**One baby is born**
Swiss: Sorry kid nothing personal, just politics 👶🔫😬
Poor Swiss if the agreement are rescinded the cannot bring anymore their waste to EU countries. Apparently some Swiss citizens were caught discharging home waste in public land in EU countries because the cost of getting rid of them in Switzerland woukd have been too high.
The best argument against direct democracy I’ve ever heard. This is actually moronic and if the Swiss general public vote for this it’ll make brexit look like a lark.
Why is Switzerland one of the only countries in Europe without an illegal migrant crisis the one doing something about it?
The Anti-Spirals will leave them alone at least
So what happens if you happen to be the 10000001th citizen?
Switzerland: „Those darn Swiss have had it good for too long! It’s time to take them down a notch! The way for Switzerland to rise is to kill Switzerland!“
At some point 10 mil will be mostly be made up of 50+ and it will be a nightmare for the younger generation who have to pay for their retirement.
Simplistic ways of population control like this always bite back. Ask China.
The question is, why not find a solution way ahead of schedule? It way cheaper. Modern politicians are truly incompetent these days.
Population control worked out really well for China. Hope Switzerland enjoys their future as a retirement village.