GENEVA

Switzerland’s Federal Council on Monday warned that a popular initiative seeking to cap the country's population at 10 million could threaten economic prosperity, internal security, and relations with the EU.

The initiative titled "No to ten million Switzerland" will be put to a national vote on June 14. The Federal Council and parliament have urged voters to reject the proposal.

Federal Councilor Beat Jans presented the government’s position to reporters in Bern alongside Markus Dieth, president of the Conference of Cantonal Governments, Pierre-Yves Maillard, head of the Swiss Trade Union, Severin Moser of the Swiss Employers’ Union, Fabio Regazzi, president of the Swiss Union of Arts and Crafts, and Adrian Wuthrich of Travail.Suisse.

Under the initiative, Switzerland’s permanent resident population would not be allowed to exceed 10 million before 2050.

Jans said that meeting that target could require renouncing the agreement on the free movement of people with the EU, a cornerstone of Switzerland’s bilateral relations with the bloc.

He warned that even approaching 9.5 million residents would have "a negative impact" on ties with the EU and "call into question the bilateral path as a whole."

Cantons and social partners also reject the initiative. They cautioned that ending the free movement agreement would likely lead to the collapse of other key accords with the EU under the bilateral framework, potentially costing the Swiss economy billions of francs in lost income and affecting wages.

It could also worsen labor shortages by making it harder for companies, hospitals and public institutions to recruit workers from the EU and EFTA countries, they added.

According to the Federal Council, Switzerland’s participation in the Schengen and Dublin agreements could be jeopardized, complicating border security and asylum procedures.

Supporters of the initiative argue that immigration levels are "too high" and contribute to housing shortages, traffic congestion, pressure on public services, and an increase in crime.