Breakfast Show 6:30am - 10:00am

Listen Live

Search

Federal Council launches fight against 10 million vote

Tuesday, 17 March 2026 06:30

Justice Minister Beat Jans has launched the federal government’s campaign against the Swiss People's Party initiative known as “No to a 10 Million Switzerland.”

Speaking in Bern, Jans warned the proposal could jeopardise Switzerland’s bilateral agreements with the European Union. 

The initiative goes to a vote on June fourteenth. It aims to cap the population at ten million by 2050 and could mean ending free movement with the EU.

Cantons and employers warn that could worsen labour shortages, especially in rural areas and the health sector.

There are also concerns it could threaten Switzerland's membership of the Schengen passport free zone and the Dublin Accord on repatriating illegal immigrants.

Share

More from Bitesize News

  • Geneva could foot the G7 bill

    Geneva fears it will be left with the security bill from a G7 summit just across the border in Évian, according to 24 heures.

  • US NGO discovers Swiss child abuse cases

    Switzerland relies too heavily on an American NGO to detect child sexual abuse online, raising questions about the country's ability to protect children on its own.

  • French singer banned by Paleo

    The Paléo Festival in Nyon says it will no longer invite French singer Patrick Bruel, after a former volunteer accused him of inappropriate behaviour.

  • Cars going uninspected

    The cantons are struggling to keep up with mandatory vehicle inspections, leaving more than 550,000 checks overdue nationwide.

  • War may lead to rent rises

    Rents may rise again, says the bank Raiffeisen.

  • Not a heatwave, yet

    Summer has arrived, with temperatures climbing past 30 over the long weekend. Basel reached 31 and Sion hit 32.4, but MeteoSwiss, says this does not yet count as an official heatwave.

Follow WRS

Download our app

  • Available on the App Store
  • Available on Google Play