In Switzerland, the housing crisis is strengthening support for a population cap.

In several prosperous regions of Switzerland, housing shortages and rapid population growth are fueling debate around a referendum aimed at limiting the country's population to 10 million by 2050.

The vote, scheduled for June 14, is supported by the Swiss People's Party (SVP), the country's main right-wing party. The proposal aims to establish a population cap in the context of a rapidly growing population, largely due to European immigration.

In Knonau, a village in the canton of Zurich, the population has more than doubled since 1990 due to the region's economic dynamism. New construction is booming, but tensions remain high in the housing market, with many residents finding it difficult to secure accommodation.

Supporters of the project believe that this growth puts pressure on infrastructure, transportation, and quality of life. They also denounce rising rents and the accelerated urbanization of certain rural and suburban areas.

Approximately a quarter of Swiss residents are now foreign nationals, primarily from Europe. This reality has fueled the political debate on immigration and the country's capacity to absorb its population growth for several years.

Opponents of the referendum, however, warn of the economic consequences of such a cap. According to them, Switzerland is heavily dependent on foreign labor to support its economy, businesses, and several key sectors facing staff shortages.

The June 14th election could thus become a major political test on migration issues and the Swiss growth model, in a country regularly confronted with sensitive debates around immigration and land-use planning.