Cities Clearly Reject the 'No 10 Million Switzerland' Initiative
18.03.2026 | from Swiss Association of Cities
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18.03.2026, The Swiss cities, as the country's economic centres and innovation hubs, are significantly impacted by any limitation on immigration. Accepting the 'No 10 Million Switzerland' initiative would restrict the Swiss economy's access to urgently needed professionals, challenge the proven bilateral path with Europe, and endanger the nation's welfare. The Swiss Association of Cities therefore clearly rejects the initiative.
On June 14, 2026, Switzerland will vote on a proposal of great economic, social, and European political importance. The popular initiative 'No 10 Million Switzerland' aims to introduce a rigid limit on the residential population to 10 million. It thus threatens prosperity, quality of life, jobs, and essential services in Switzerland. The initiative would exacerbate the shortage of skilled labour, as more people retire than young people enter the workforce due to demographic changes. This would worsen the already tense situation in many sectors, such as healthcare and the care system; service reliability would suffer, and waiting times would increase. Skilled workers in IT, research, technology, or energy would also be lacking, weakening Switzerland's capacity for innovation. Urban centres, as drivers of innovation and fertile ground for startups, would be particularly affected. The Association of Cities therefore supports the broad alliance from politics and business against the initiative.
If the initiative is accepted, international agreements would need to be terminated, especially the proven bilateral treaties with the EU. Swiss cities, as major economic sites, rely on open markets and international networking and have always supported the bilateral path and freedom of movement. For Swiss companies, not only is clear and reliable access to the EU internal market essential, but they must also be able to recruit workers from the EU in an unbureaucratic and targeted manner.
In addition, the initiative would endanger our country's security. If agreements such as Schengen/Dublin were to be removed, police cooperation would be hindered and the asylum system would be more heavily burdened - with noticeable effects for cantons and cities.
The experience of Swiss cities shows that population growth brings challenges, but also ensures diverse and attractive urban life. A larger population is associated with more work performance, expanded infrastructure, more educational and care institutions, cultural facilities, and diverse gastronomic offerings. Cities have repeatedly demonstrated that they can manage and shape growth in mobility, housing, and infrastructure; for example, through investments in public transport, promoting non-profit housing developments, developing new neighbourhoods and quality interior development. The existing challenges - such as in housing - can only be solved with targeted political instruments. A rigid population cap is the wrong approach.
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Swiss Association of Cities
The Swiss Association of Cities (SSV) advocates for the interests of urban areas in politics. It informs the public about urban Switzerland and provides its members with a platform for exchanging experiences and networking among members. Services in favour of its members form another facet of its activities. The Association of Cities was founded in 1897 and today has 129 members.
The basis of the political work of the Association of Cities is Article 50 of the Federal Constitution, which obliges the Confederation to particularly consider the interests of cities and agglomerations. The Association of Cities therefore participates as a permanent partner in the Federal consultation procedures, works in Federal expert commissions, and maintains regular contacts with the Federal administration and the Parliament and its commissions.
The General Assembly of the Association of Cities and at the same time the highlight in the cities' year is the City Day, which takes place at the end of August. The association has seven affiliated sections. To work on specialist topics, the Association of Cities also maintains commissions and working groups.
Besides the association's own bodies, the Association of Cities is involved in numerous other organisations and institutions, for example in the Tripartite Conference (TK). Supported by the Federal Council, the Conference of Cantonal Governments (KdK), the Swiss Association of Municipalities, and the Association of Cities, the TK institutionalises the dialogue between the levels of government and develops joint positions on important political issues.
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Source: Swiss Association of Cities, Press release
Original article published on: Städte lehnen die Initiative «Keine 10 Millionen-Schweiz» klar ab