Early results on "Swiss Brexit" indicate defeat of measure that would cap population at 10 million
Voters in Switzerland have cast their final ballots on Sunday on an initiative championed by the top right-wing party to cap the rich Alpine country's population at 10 million. Early results showed Swiss voters were leaning against it.
TL;DR
- Swiss voters cast ballots on an initiative to cap the population at 10 million, championed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party.
- Early results indicated voters were leaning against the proposal, with nearly 53% rejecting it.
- The initiative, called a "Swiss Brexit," could have jeopardized Switzerland's economic and travel ties with the European Union.
- The Swiss People's Party argued that population growth strained infrastructure, housing, and social programs.
- Critics, including business associations and the federal government, opposed the measure, citing potential harm to EU relations and economic growth.
- The Swiss population has grown by 23% since 2002, reaching 9.1 million, while economic output increased by 24%.