Zurich: The Swiss voted on Sunday in a referendum on whether or not to accept a proposal to limit the country's population at ten million. The proposal has been pitched by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) and it mandates that the population must not exceed 10 million by 2050.
The constitutional change has been mooted amid the resurgence of far-right trends in Europe and if passed, would have far-reaching consequences on the Swiss economy as well as on Bern's relations with the European Union. The proposal aims to put in place tougher curbs on immigration, fed by discontent about the cost of living, weak economic growth and crime.
If the proposal is passed, Switzerland will have to scrap its agreement with the EU for free movement of labour.
The Swiss government and parliament have urged voters to reject the SVP's so-called "sustainability initiative" as folly at a delicate time for Switzerland's export-oriented economy.
Results of the vote are expected to begin coming in from around midday (10:00 GMT). A final survey this month showed opinion turning against the proposal. An earlier poll had suggested it could pass.
Under its system of direct democracy, the Swiss electorate generally votes four times a year on national referendums, which also require the support of the majority of its cantons, or member states, to pass.
(With inputs from Reuters)
