The Federal Council has come out against a proposal to cap the country’s population at 10 million, saying it jeopardises economic growth and security. The country is due to hold a national vote on the proposal – which is backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party – after campaigners gathered enough signatures in support. The timing of the plebiscite, part of Switzerland’s system of direct democracy, isn’t known, though it’s unlikely to take place for a number of years. The popular initiative, called the “Sustainability Initiative”, would limit the population to 10 million, compared with about 8.9 million currently. It proposes curbing population growth if that threshold is approached, by limiting immigration especially from asylum seekers. On Wednesday, the government warned that it would have a “negative impact on the economy, prosperity and the functioning of society”. + Read more: does Switzerland have space for 10 million? Earlier this week, a report said Swiss businesses ...
