British News Agency

The government announced on Wednesday that a referendum on the SVP's "No to a 10 Million Switzerland" initiative, which has been strongly opposed by both chambers of parliament and the business and financial services communities, will be held on June 10.

If the country’s permanent population of 9.1 million exceeds 9.5 million, the initiative will force the Swiss government and parliament to act by restricting the entry of new arrivals, including refugees and the families of foreign nationals.

If the population reaches 10 million, further restrictions will come into force, and if the numbers do not begin to decline, the government will have to withdraw from the free movement agreement with the EU, its largest export market.

Switzerland’s population has grown about five times faster than the average of surrounding EU member states over the past decade; its economic success has attracted both low-skilled workers and high-paid corporate employees.

According to government data, about 27% of Switzerland’s residents are not citizens. The SVP, the country’s largest political party, says that the "population explosion" has inflated rents and put public infrastructure and services under extreme pressure.

The party, which has won every election since 1999, has long campaigned against immigration, highlighting crimes committed by foreigners and broadcasting images of bloody knives, hooded criminals, fists, and frightened women.

A poll conducted in December revealed that 48% of voters strongly support the "No to a 10 Million Switzerland" initiative, reflecting deep divisions in the country about how open it wants to be, and should be, in a rapidly changing world.