Breking news: Swiss 'reject immigration curbs

Voters in Switzerland appear to have decisively rejected a proposal to cut net immigration to no more than 0.2% of the population.

Projections from partial results show more than 74% voting no in Sunday's referendum, according to state TV.

Supporters of the measure argued that it would have reduced pressure on the country's resources. Opponents said it would have been bad for the economy.

Around a quarter of Switzerland's eight million people are foreigners.

The measure would have required the government to reduce immigration from about 80,000 to 16,000 people a year.

Under Switzerland's system of direct democracy, citizens can force a referendum if they muster enough signatures of support.

The country voted in February to re-introduce immigration quotas, in effect opting out of an EU free movement agreement.

The government still has to implement that referendum result, which threw relations with the EU into turmoil.

Two other referendums were also being held on Sunday: one on forcing the central bank to boost its gold reserves and one on scrapping a tax perk for expatriates.

Projections suggest they, too, have failed to garner enough support.