Shortly after polls closed at noon (1000 GMT), initial projections from the gfs.bern institute indicated around 55 percent opposition to the initiative, which had sparked warnings of "chaos" and devastating impacts for the Swiss economy and European Union relations."We are very relieved and happy. This is an important result for our country and for our relations with the EU," Monika Ruhl, director of the employers' organisation economiesuisse, told public broadcaster RTS.Opinion polls had suggested that the vote, held under Switzerland's direct democracy system, would be tight.Tensions have been running particularly high over the "No to a Switzerland with 10 million!" initiative, put forward by the hard-right Swiss People's Party (SVP).That proposal wanted measures to stop the wealthy Alpine nation's population -- currently 9.1 million -- going above 10 million before 2050.In a country where foreigners make up more than a quarter of the population, the proposal, if accepted, would slam the brakes on immigration.
A billboard at Zurich central station of US President Donald Trump reading 'Isolating ourselves from Europe? Certainly not now!' © SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP
"There has to be a limit," retiree Gilles Hirt told AFP at a polling station in Bern Sunday morning, comparing the situation in Switzerland to a ship."If it is designed for 150 people and you put 250 onboard, it becomes too small. If you put 350 onboard, it will sink," he said. Swiss 'Brexit'The SVP, Switzerland's largest party, insisted drastic measures were needed, blaming "mass immigration" for a host of problems, from housing shortages and rising rents to overcrowded trains and traffic jams.SVP parliamentarian Celine Amaudruz told RTS she was "disappointed" by the projected results of Sunday's vote, insisting that Switzerland was facing "colossal challenges" from immigration.Before the vote, SVP parliamentarian Yvan Pahud highlighted to AFP that "Switzerland is a small country that cannot be expanded". We "do not want to welcome all of Europe".
