Switzerland Votes on Historic Population Cap Amidst Immigration Debate

Switzerland is voting to impose a formal limit on its population for the first time in history. People here will vote on a proposal to limit the population to 10 million. The proposal, put forward by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), calls for limiting the country's population to 10 million (10 million) by 2050. While supporters believe that uncontrolled immigration is causing overcrowding on trains, expensive housing, and increasing unbearable pressure on infrastructure, the government, trade organizations, and critics have called it an absurd and dangerous move. Critics argue that the decision will lead to severe labor shortfalls in the country and that breaking the free movement agreement with the European Union (EU) could isolate Switzerland economically. The eyes of the whole of Europe are now on the Swiss referendum, which is being called the country's "Brexit moment." The country's population has risen sharply in the last two decades, to nearly 7.3 million.