Switzerland is preparing to vote on proposed measures aimed at curbing immigration, to halt population growth before it reaches ten million by 2050.
The country operates under a direct democracy system where citizens can initiate popular votes by gathering 100,000 valid signatures within 18 months, SchengenVisaInfo reports.
The far-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP) submitted 114,600 signatures to the Federal Chancellery in Bern on Wednesday, reaching their goal in half the time expected. The same has mentioned the continuous growth of immigration and its harmful effects on the nation. After the signatures are reviewed and verified, it usually takes a long period, often stretching into months or even years, before the actual referendum takes place.
At the end of 2022, Switzerland’s permanent population was 8.82 million, marking a notable increase from the 8.54 million recorded at the end of 2018. Notably, foreigners make up a quarter of the country’s population.
The resident population of Switzerland consists of Swiss citizens residing within its borders and foreigners who have either secured a residence permit for at least one year or have been in the country for at least 12 months.
Swiss Government Plans Measures, EU Agreement in Question
As local media reports, if the population exceeds 9.5 million before 2050, the Swiss government and parliament will take decisive action, particularly focusing on asylum and family reunification policies, to ensure compliance with the regulations. Failing an effective solution through these measures, Switzerland may consider withdrawing from its agreement on the free movement of people with the European Union.
Although Switzerland remains outside the European Union, it has been part of the EU’s Schengen open border area since 2008. The decision to regulate immigration comes amid ongoing negotiations between Switzerland and the EU.
SVP sees this initiative as a direct response to several immigration-related challenges, including housing shortages, rising rents, traffic congestion, overcrowded public transport systems, declining educational standards and concerns about crime and violence.
Swiss Population Increased by 68,800 in 2022
Data from the Swiss Federal Statistics Office revealed that net migration in 2022 contributed to a population increase of 68,800 individuals, with natural demographic changes, such as births minus deaths, resulting in an additional 7,900 people.
Moreover, projections from the Federal Statistical Office in 2020 speculated that Switzerland’s population could reach 10.4 million by 2050, with a “low scenario” predicting 9.5 million and a “high scenario” predicting 11.4 million.
