Neutrality Initiative: Approval in German-speaking Switzerland Drops to 41 Percent

The Food Initiative, which seeks to enshrine the strengthening of domestic food production in the constitution, is also losing support. Nationwide, the share of yes-votes has fallen noticeably compared with earlier surveys. The decline is particularly pronounced among supporters of the Green parties, who had previously been the most favourably inclined toward the proposal.

Support is Eroding

The co-director of the polling research institute, Lukas Golder, sees the figures as a warning signal for the supporting parties. He stresses that money alone does not guarantee a successful vote. Golder said: „Ein Abstimmungsresultat kann man sich nicht erkaufen."

A mixed picture also emerges among the parties. The SVP, which supports both the Neutrality and the Food Initiative, is losing yes-votes for the Neutrality proposal among its sympathisers. The SP is holding its support comparatively stable, while the FDP and GLP would vote no more often than average on both proposals.

Differences by Language Region and Party

With the Food Initiative, it is notable that the decline is not evenly distributed across all camps. Voters who place themselves politically on the left to centre-left are increasingly sceptical that the planned measures will actually lead to greater self-sufficiency. Yes-votes are also falling among the Greens, although it remains unclear whether this reflects a shift toward more opposition or toward more indecision.

For the survey, the research institute polled a total of around 16,000 eligible voters across all three language regions of Switzerland. The results are considered representative, with a statistical margin of error of approximately 2.8 percentage points. Strikingly, Italian-speaking Switzerland is the only region in which the Neutrality Initiative commands majority support.

What the Numbers Mean for Voting Day

Observers interpret the differences between language regions as indicative of differing threat perceptions. In German-speaking Switzerland, scepticism prevails toward a constitutional amendment seen as unnecessary or risky. In French-speaking Switzerland, opposition is also clear, if somewhat less pronounced. Italian-speaking Switzerland, by contrast, views the proposal more strongly as a contribution to foreign-policy independence.

It remains unclear how the debate will develop in the coming weeks. The parties still have time to sharpen their arguments. If the trend persists, supporters of both initiatives would have to reckon with a difficult voting Sunday. In the figures, Golder sees above all a warning to those running the campaigns: those who act with financial outlay alone, without convincing on substance, ultimately risk failure.

Overall, the survey shows that both proposals face a stress test. The Neutrality Initiative stands no chance in two of the three language regions, but could still come as a surprise to pass thanks to Ticino. The Food Initiative, in turn, is losing ground precisely where its core electorate is strongest. The starting conditions for voting day are thus markedly worse than they were just a few months ago.