Swiss Voters Face Crucial Decisions on Immigration and Military Service
GENEVA – Swiss citizens will cast their votes on Sunday regarding a contentious anti-immigration proposal aimed at limiting population growth, alongside another referendum addressing restrictions on conscientious objection to military service.
Recent opinion polls indicate that both initiatives, submitted under Switzerland’s direct democracy system, may lead to tight contests.
Polling stations will be open for a limited time on Sunday morning, closing at noon (10:00 GMT), with the majority of ballots expected to be submitted by mail. Preliminary results are anticipated by early afternoon.
Heightened tensions surround the initiative titled “No to Switzerland, a country with a population of 10 million!” proposed by the far-right Swiss People’s Party (SVP).
This initiative seeks to restrict the Alpen nation’s population from exceeding 10 million by 2050, down from the current estimate of 9.1 million. If approved, it would curtail immigration in a country where foreigners constitute over a quarter of the populace.
The SVP attributes “mass immigration” to various issues, including housing shortages, skyrocketing rents, and congestion on public transportation. It advocates for radical measures to address these concerns.
Senior Deputy Prime Minister Ivan Pahad articulated the party’s stance, emphasizing that Switzerland is a small nation with limited capacity for expansion and asserting that they “do not wish to welcome all of Europe.”
However, opponents have cautioned that the passage of this initiative could lead to widespread “chaos” and significantly harm Switzerland’s economy and its relationship with the European Union, its largest trading partner. Swiss Justice Minister Beat Jans warned that the vote poses the risk of Switzerland essentially exiting the EU.
With strong resistance from the government, parliament, and various sectors of the economy, the initiative faces an uphill battle. While earlier polling suggested a close outcome, recent surveys indicate growing opposition to advancing the proposal.
For the initiative to succeed, it must secure not only a majority of overall votes but also win in at least half of Switzerland’s 26 cantons.
Referendum on Military Service Alternatives
On the same ballot, voters will also deliberate a bill approved by parliament that seeks to reduce the attractiveness and availability of civilian service options. This move comes as the ongoing Ukraine conflict and other geopolitical pressures compel European nations to bolster their military capabilities.
Proponents of the referendum include leftist groups from countries with a policy of military neutrality. They argue that the proposed changes are perilous and could ultimately lead to the complete phasing out of alternatives to military service.
Once again, polls suggest that this vote may result in a narrow outcome.
In Switzerland, military service is obligatory for men, who participate in a distinctive militia system. Conscripts undergo a minimum of four months of training, followed by repeated service over a span of ten years with periodic retraining sessions.
Since 1996, individuals who object to military service on conscientious grounds have been permitted to undertake civilian alternatives. The trend toward private service has intensified since access was streamlined in 2009, prompting warnings from the government that this increase has become “troublesome.”
