GENEVA, Switzerland: Swiss Federal Council said it has decided to submit two issues to a nationwide popular vote on June 14, including an initiative seeking to cap the country’s permanent resident population and proposed changes to the federal civilian service law, Anadolu Ajansi reported.
In a statement on Wednesday, the government said the ballot would include the popular initiative titled “No to Ten Million Switzerland!” and a reform of the Civilian Service Act.
According to the text of the initiative, backed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party, Switzerland’s permanent resident population “must not exceed 10 million people before 2050”.
From 2050 onwards, the Federal Council could adjust the limit annually in line with natural population growth.
The proposal would require federal and cantonal authorities to take measures to ensure sustainable population development, including environmental protection and the safeguarding of infrastructure and social systems.
The initiative states that if the population exceeds 9.5 million before 2050, the government and parliament would be required to act, particularly in areas such as asylum and family reunification. – BERNAMA-ANADOLU
