Swiss to vote on whether to cap population at 10 million

After heated debate, final polls from a week ago indicate 52 per cent of voters will reject the initiative with 45 in favour.

Switzerland’s system of direct democracy allows for “popular initiatives” that are put to a referendum if they get 100,000 backers within 18 months.

Switzerland will vote on Sunday on a proposal to cap its population at 10 million people, in a referendum that has become one of Europe's most closely watched tests of public attitudes toward immigration, national identity and economic growth.

The move is backed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party, which describes it as a "sustainability initiative" aimed at easing pressure on housing, public services and the environment.