A nationwide survey published on Friday indicates a clear rejection of Switzerland's neutrality initiative ahead of the August 25 federal vote. Conducted by research institute gfs.bern for public broadcaster SRG, the poll found 54% of respondents opposed the proposal, while 42% supported it, leaving the opposition with a 12-percentage-point lead.
The initiative, which seeks to enshrine Switzerland's neutrality in the constitution, enjoys its strongest backing among voters of the right-wing SVP, where 86% favor the measure. Opposition is more widespread among supporters of other major parties, ranging from 64% against among FDP voters to 86% against among SP voters. Party-independent voters show a narrow majority of 52% in favor, while those distrustful of the government support the initiative by nearly 60%.
Regional disparities are pronounced. The Italian-speaking region shows a 55% majority in favor, while the German-speaking region records 57% opposition and French-speaking Switzerland 49% against. Urban areas reject the initiative by 59%, compared with a narrow 51% approval in rural municipalities.
Demographic splits extend to education and age. Among respondents with lower educational attainment, 59% support the initiative, while those with higher education oppose it by 58%. Approval is nearly balanced among those with mid-level education at 50% to 46%. Opposition is strongest among voters over 65, where 60% reject the measure.
Separate polling on the nutrition initiative, which proposes a minimum 70% domestic self-sufficiency rate and greater plant-based food consumption, shows a near-even split. The survey, also conducted by gfs.bern in early August, found 49% opposed and 47% in favor, with just 4% undecided. Support is highest among Green and SP voters at 84% and 64%, respectively, while opposition dominates among SVP, FDP and Centre party supporters.
The nutrition initiative draws stronger support from women at 55%, younger voters aged 18-39 at 54%, and lower-income households, where 57% of those earning under 3,000 francs monthly and 57% of those earning between 3,000 and 5,000 francs monthly back the proposal. Regional differences persist, with French- and Italian-speaking Switzerland showing 57% and 53% support, respectively.
Voter mobilization remains low, with current turnout expectations at 44%, below the long-term average of 47.4%. The survey, conducted between August 3 and 16 among over 17,000 eligible voters, carries a margin of error of +/-2.8 percentage points.
