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BERN – Swiss voters rejected a proposal in a nationwide referendum to limit the country's population to a maximum of ten million by the year 2050. The vote, which was one of the most closely watched political events of the year in Europe, opened a broad discussion about migration, demographic development, the affordability of housing, and the future of relations between Switzerland and the European Union.

The proposal, promoted by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), called for the number of permanent residents not to exceed ten million. If the population reached 9.5 million before 2050, the government would be forced to take measures to slow growth, particularly in the areas of migration, asylum policy, and family reunification. According to official results, approximately 55 percent of voters opposed the proposal, while 45 percent supported it. The turnout exceeded 58 percent, which confirms the extraordinary public interest in the topic of migration and the future direction of the country.

Supporters of the initiative argued primarily about the increasing pressure on infrastructure, transportation, healthcare, education, and the housing market. They claimed that rapid population growth, especially due to immigration, increases the cost of living and reduces the quality of life for residents. Switzerland currently has a population of approximately 9.1 million, and has experienced significant demographic growth over the past two decades. Opponents of the proposal, on the other hand, pointed out that the Swiss economy is heavily reliant on foreign workers. The shortage of labor is particularly evident in healthcare, social services, technology, and industry. According to the government and business organizations, the adoption of the proposal could harm economic growth and also jeopardize key agreements with the European Union on the free movement of people.

The result of the referendum is being closely watched even outside of Switzerland. Many European countries are grappling with similar issues related to migration, an aging population, and a shortage of labor. Political scientists point out that although the proposal was unsuccessful, the high level of support from nearly half of the voters suggests that a portion of society remains concerned about rapid demographic changes. Analysts agree that the debate about migration and population growth in Switzerland is far from over. The country's system of direct democracy allows for similar proposals to be put forward repeatedly, and the issue is likely to remain one of the key political topics in the years to come.

gnews.cz - GH

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