Switzerland votes on the right wing to increase the population of the country | Immigration Issues

A ‘yes’ vote would force the government to ban residence permits, and scrap Switzerland’s EU agreement on free movement of people.

Switzerland is holding a vote backed by a far-right party to uproot more than 10 million people, which could strain its relationship with the European Union.

The final vote was cast on Sunday, after the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) stood down in the measure, after a surprise vote. anti-immigration sentiment for many years.

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Concerned about immigration, the pressure on public services and housing, the legislative changes carried out by the SVP will dictate that the number of people will not exceed 10 million by 2050. The government’s plans made the number reach the early 2040s.

The results of the vote are expected to start coming in at noon (10:00 GMT).

Recent polls from the gfs.bern organization say it could be a close race.

If the population reaches 9.5 million before the year 2050, the government will be forced to restrict security, family reunification and residence permits, and may have to withdraw from Switzerland. EU handle the free movement of people.

The SVP says a “sustainable plan” is needed because Switzerland’s infrastructure, housing, social programs, natural resources and livelihoods have been disrupted by overpopulation.

The government and parliament oppose the proposal.

‘Wake-up call’

Opponents of population growth argue that the increase in immigration over the past generation has brought foreign jobs and skills to areas such as health, finance, medicine, and technology. Some are also concerned that the proposal, if approved, could weaken strained relations with Brussels. The EU is Switzerland’s biggest trading partner.

Although some figures of the SVP say that the request is not meant to stop free movement, but to act as a wake-up call.

“I don’t want freedom of movement to end,” said Heinz Taennler, SVP politician and economic director of the canton of Zug.

“Another million people can move to Switzerland, but the government has to do something.”

Switzerland’s democracy gives voters a direct say in policy-making through referendums, held four times a year.

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development said Switzerland had 32 foreign-born people by 2024, behind only Luxembourg and Australia among the 38 countries in the group.

Migration has long been a major problem in Europe, as countries grapple with an aging population and rising xenophobia. While in some European countries that attitude is focused on migrants from the Global South, the majority of visitors to Switzerland are Europeans.

Since Switzerland and the EU eased restrictions on citizens living and working across their borders in 2002, the Swiss population has grown by 23 percent, reaching 9.1 million at the end of last year. Economic output has also grown, rising 24 percent over the same period, government data shows.

Swiss voters have repeatedly addressed the issue of immigration over the years. Only one such referendum – “anti-immigration” in 2014 – narrowly passed, after campaigners raised fears about the country’s population and the rise of Muslims.

Although many countries have limits on immigration, none have ever voted to reduce the number of people, Swiss experts say.