Ahead of Switzerland’s Sept. 27 national vote, two federal initiatives face strong public opposition, according to the latest polling data. A survey by Leewas, commissioned by Tamedia and 20 Minuten, showed 62% of respondents opposed the Neutrality Initiative, which seeks constitutional recognition of an "eternal and armed" neutrality policy. Support stood at 30%, with 6% leaning favorably and 2% undecided.
The opposition margin has widened since the previous Leewas poll in mid-June, when 54% rejected the measure and 34% supported it. The Neutrality Initiative’s strongest backing came from the SVP’s voter base, with 82% approval, while all other major parties’ supporters opposed it by large margins: 91% of SP and GLP voters, 82% of Greens, 79% of Mitte, and 72% of FDP voters. Opposition increased among older, higher-income, and more educated respondents, with rural and Italian-speaking regions showing relatively higher support.
Critics of the initiative argue it would restrict Switzerland’s policy flexibility, damage its international standing by preventing sanctions participation, and weaken defense capabilities. Supporters contend it would prevent political erosion of neutrality.
The Food Supply Initiative fared worse in polling, with 65% of respondents opposed. The proposal seeks to raise Switzerland’s net self-sufficiency rate to at least 70%. Only 18% supported the plan outright, while 13% leaned in favor and 4% were undecided. The Green party’s voters showed the strongest support at 69%, while SP supporters were evenly split. Opposition was highest among FDP (83%), Mitte (75%), SVP (74%), and GLP (66%) voters. Pensioners and men showed the strongest opposition, with 70% of men rejecting the initiative.
Proponents of the food supply measure cited crisis resilience and groundwater protection as key benefits, while opponents warned it could impose a state-mandated diet with minimal animal products. The Leewas survey, conducted Aug. 12-13 among 13,154 participants, carries a margin of error of approximately 1.5 percentage points.
A separate YouGov poll, published Aug. 20 and based on 3,080 respondents surveyed Aug. 3-17, showed slightly less decisive opposition. It found 50% opposed the Neutrality Initiative, 41% supported it, and 9% were undecided—an 11-percentage-point increase in opposition since July. For the Food Supply Initiative, YouGov reported 52% opposed, 37% in favor, and 11% undecided, a nine-point rise in opposition compared to the prior month. Only Ticino showed clear majority support for the neutrality proposal.
