Bern: Switzerland has decisively rejected a proposal to cap its population at 10 million, following a national referendum.

According to Thai News Agency, the Swiss People's Party (SVP), known for its right-wing and anti-immigration stance, put forward the "No to a 10 million Switzerland" initiative. This proposal aimed to curb the country's population growth, which is currently around 9.1 million, by addressing issues such as rising housing prices, infrastructure strain, and the pressure on public services due to immigration.

The proposal detailed a two-phase enforcement plan: initiating strict restrictions when the population hits 9.5 million, including suspending family cohabitation rights and limiting refugee intake. If the population were to reach 10 million before 2050, the government would be required to cancel international agreements that encourage population growth, notably the EU's free movement of labor agreement.

However, the referendum results revealed a 55 percent majority voting against the proposal, with 45 percent in favor. This outcome aligns with predictions from the Swiss public opinion polling agency gfs.bern, which noted a decline in support due to concerns over an aging population and potential labor shortages in key sectors like healthcare, hospitality, and technology. The proposal's rejection was also influenced by warnings from business groups about the economic risks of ending free movement agreements, crucial to Switzerland's integration in the European single market.

The vote occurred amid a challenging global trade climate, exacerbated by tariffs on Swiss goods imposed by the US under President Donald Trump. Swiss voters were mindful of the potential ramifications of straining relations with the EU, their largest trading partner, during such volatile times.