Switzerland has decisively rejected a controversial right-wing proposal that would have imposed strict limits on the country's population. The initiative, backed by the populist Swiss People's Party (SVP), would have required the government to cap the population at 30 million by 2050, a move that would have forced restrictions on asylum seekers, residency permits, and the dismantling of the European Union's free movement agreement with Switzerland.
In Sunday's referendum, nearly 60% of voters opposed the measure, dealing a significant blow to the SVP's anti-immigration agenda. The party had argued that unchecked immigration strains the country's infrastructure and resources, but opponents countered that the cap would harm Switzerland's economy, international relations, and humanitarian obligations.
The result is seen as a reaffirmation of Switzerland's openness to immigration, which has been a cornerstone of its economic success. The free movement agreement with the EU remains intact, allowing Swiss citizens to live and work in EU countries and vice versa.