Switzerland's population cap referendum passing would result in a gradual tightening of immigration policy that could strain its EU free-movement framework and create medium-term risks of labor shortages, higher business costs and potential friction with the EU single market. On June 14, Switzerland will hold a referendum to amend the Swiss constitution to limit the country's permanent resident population to fewer than 10 million people through 2050. The proposal was launched and is being promoted primarily by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), Switzerland's largest political party, which argues that rapid population growth driven largely by immigration is placing unsustainable pressure on housing, transportation infrastructure, public services and the environment. Switzerland's population has grown from roughly 7.3 million in 2002 to more than 9 million today, with much of that increase attributable to immigration, particularly from EU countries under Switzerland's agreements with the European Union on the free movement of...
