Swiss democracy is a unique, semi-direct democratic system based on active citizen participation through regular referenda and initiatives. On 14 June 2026, Swiss voters will decide on an issue which may have major implications for Switzerland’s immigration policy. Titled "No to ten million Switzerland", this population cap initiative led by the Swiss People’s Party (SVP) is particularly contentious.
If the initiative is approved, it will have far-ranging consequences for Switzerland’s relationship with the European Union and the rest of the world.
This raises several critical questions and concerns, not just among Swiss residents but also within International Geneva and the broader international community. Panelists will explore key questions including:
- How did this initiative come about and how does Swiss democracy work?
- What could be the implications of the vote?
- How do populist narratives and emotions affect democratic deliberations in Switzerland and beyond?
- To what extent is migration governance a stress test for democracy globally?
- How do the relationships between democracy and migration play out at the multilateral level?
Contributions by students of the class “Democracies in context” will help situate current shifts in democratic practices within the broader international landscape.