Switzerland rejected a proposal to cap its population at 10 million people, as warnings about economic damage if the radical measure was introduced outweighed concerns about immigration.
In a national ballot on Sunday, 55% of Swiss voted against the idea, according to the government. Some 45% backed the initiative.
The ballot on Sunday was the culmination of months of campaigning during which right-wing groups said Switzerland¡¯s rapidly rising population is causing overcrowding and straining the country¡¯s resources. The population isn¡¯t too far off their proposed limit, having risen by almost 2 million this century to 9.1 million.
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