Switzerland is preparing for a national referendum on June 14 after the Swiss People's Party secured sufficient petition signatures to place a population cap initiative on the ballot.

The proposal would limit Switzerland’s total population, including both Swiss citizens and foreign residents, to no more than 10 million by 2050. The move comes as the country’s population approaches 9.1 million, according to Switzerland’s Federal Statistics Office, and amid reports that foreign-born residents now account for roughly 27% of the population.

The Swiss People’s Party, commonly known as the SVP and currently holding the largest number of seats in the Federal Assembly, described the measure as a response to what it calls “uncontrolled immigration.” Party officials said more than 1 million immigrants from the European Union arrived in Switzerland in 2024.

In a public statement, the SVP argued that rising migration has placed mounting pressure on infrastructure, housing, public services, and environmental resources. The party said increased traffic congestion, strained public transportation, overcrowded schools, housing shortages, higher rents, rising crime, and growing taxpayer costs are among the consequences facing Swiss citizens.

Under the proposal, if the population reaches 9.5 million before 2050, the federal government would be authorized to take corrective action to curb growth. Potential measures could include tighter asylum policies and restrictions on family reunification. The initiative’s backers have pointed to asylum applications as a key driver of recent migration flows.

The measure has drawn opposition from major Swiss political parties outside the SVP, including centrist, left-leaning, and liberal groups, which have rejected the initiative. In response, the SVP said lawmakers have ignored the concerns of citizens who believe immigration levels are unsustainable.

The party also emphasized that it does not intend to immediately terminate Switzerland’s agreement with the European Union on the free movement of persons, which allows EU citizens to live and work across member states and participating countries. However, it stated that ending the agreement could remain an option of last resort if the Swiss Federal Council fails to sufficiently limit immigration.

Swiss voters will ultimately decide the outcome of the initiative when ballots are cast this summer.