Why Switzerland Is Weighing a 10 Million Population Cap

The growing prominence of far-right political parties in Europe is pressuring governments to introduce stricter controls on immigration. Switzerland is set to vote on a proposal that would take things to the next level: capping its population at 10 million.

The initiative was put forward by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party and voters are due to have their say in a referendum on June 14. If a majority of them back the plan, the government will be forced to take measures to reduce immigration, which could eventually lead to a blanket ban on new arrivals into the country. Switzerland’s population isn’t too far off the proposed limit, having reached 9.1 million last year.