SWITZERLAND VOTES ON PLAN TO CAP POPULATION AT 10 MILLION

Switzerland will hold a referendum on Sunday to decide whether to impose a fixed population limit of 10 million. The Swiss People's Party, a right-wing party, is backing the proposal, describing it as a "sustainability initiative" intended to reduce pressure on housing, public services and the environment. The Swiss government, all other major parties, business leaders and trade unions oppose the measure, characterising it as a "chaos initiative" that would harm the economy and relations with the European Union.

Switzerland's population has increased rapidly since 2002, when it totalled 7.3 million. The current population stands at 9.1 million, with foreign residents comprising 27 per cent of that figure. Many voters have expressed concerns about overcrowded public transport, expensive housing and rising healthcare costs. Opinion polls show a closely contested vote, with 52 per cent currently opposed to the proposal, 45 per cent in favour, and a significant proportion of voters remaining undecided.

The debate has highlighted divisions within Switzerland's political landscape. Nils Fiechter, a 29-year-old Swiss People's Party representative in canton Bern's parliament, contends that unchecked immigration has caused housing shortages, traffic congestion, overburdened schools and strained social services. Helin Genis, a 31-year-old Social Democrat elected to Bern city council, rejects these arguments as scapegoating, stating that migrants do not determine rent levels or health insurance premiums. Both politicians represent immigrant families, reflecting the polarised nature of the referendum debate.