00:00Switzerland will head to the polls this weekend to vote on a proposal to cap its population at 10 million
00:07people
00:07in a referendum that has sparked debate over migration, housing and economic growth.
00:13Businesses have warned that the measure could hurt the economy,
00:16while supporters say rapid population growth is putting pressure on public services, transport networks and housing.
00:26The proposal championed by the right-wing Swiss People's Party would require the government to act
00:31if the population rises above 9.5 million, a threshold expected to be reached within the next few years.
00:38If the population were to reach 10 million, Switzerland could be forced to review or terminate international agreements
00:44that encourage population growth, including its free movement arrangement with the European Union.
00:50The issue has divided voters. Recent polls show the country almost evenly split on the proposal.
00:57Switzerland's population stood at around 9.1 million at the end of last year,
01:02with foreign nationals making up more than a quarter of the population.
01:06The vote comes as immigration and population growth have become increasingly contentious issues across Europe,
01:12helping to boost support for right-wing parties in several countries.
