On Sunday (14 June), Switzerland is set to decide whether the country should implement the world’s first population cap.
The divisive proposal, which is supported by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP), has been pitched as a “sustainability initiative” aimed at limiting population growth and stemming immigration.
However, for companies based in the country, the proposed cap at 10 million people could significantly limit access to international talent and damage economic growth in a country that has the fourth-highest GDP per capita in the world.
Switzerland’s democratic system allows citizens to propose changes to the constitution through a popular initiative. If these initiatives receive 100,000 signatures from the Swiss electorate within 18 months, the proposal will be put to a referendum.
While most constitutional changes proposed through this form of direct democracy have been unsuccessful, the referendum on limiting the Swiss population is expected to be close.
