Vote 27 September: 63% no to neutrality (cross-border guide)

Context

In brief

• Over 60% of voters intend to reject both federal initiatives.
• Sharp drop in support for neutrality and food security in early September.
• Popular vote scheduled for September 27 in all Cantons.

Key facts

• Survey: according to the gfs.bern survey for SSR (SBC)
• Referendum date: September 27
• Neutrality initiative: promoted by the Pro Suisse committee
• Neutrality result: 63% opposed, 34% in favor
• Food security result: 64% opposed, 33% in favor

A clear majority of the Swiss electorate is preparing to reject both texts submitted to the federal vote on September 27, according to the second survey conducted by the gfs.bern institute for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation SBC. Indeed, over 60% of those interviewed declare their intention to vote no on both the neutrality proposal and the food security proposal. Support for both projects has visibly declined compared to the first survey conducted in early August. Had the consultation taken place in early September, 63% would have rejected the initiative titled 'Safeguarding Swiss neutrality', with a nine-point percentage jump in opposition. At the same time, the front of supporters has dropped by eight points, settling at 34%.

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Operational details

The opposition to the initiative «For safe food» has developed with even greater rapidity on a federal scale. The text calls for incentives for plant-based food production to increase the country's food self-sufficiency rate, but it has been met with almost unanimous rejection. Currently, 64% of citizens oppose the measure, marking a 15-point increase in opponents, while support has dropped by 14 points to 33%. The Federal Parliament has rejected the proposal unanimously. Despite attempts by left-wing parties and the Liberal Greens to propose a counterproject, no alternative has found approval, leaving the text without institutional support.

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Key points

For residents called to the polls on September 27, the decisions on the two objects up for vote will have indirect repercussions on the overall framework of the Confederation, ranging from the debate on international relations led by the Federal Council to supply policies that may impact the cost of living. According to analyses by the gfs.bern institute, a reversal of the trend on the Pro Suisse initiative would require a massive mobilization of the SVP (UDC) electorate combined with a radical shift in the rest of the population, a scenario for which the institute detects no signs. Even on the food front, urban and suburban areas have aligned with rural zones, which have historically been skeptical of production constraints aimed at the plant sector.

Voting methods and civic tools

Those entitled to vote in Switzerland receive the official postal voting material directly at their home in the various Cantons several weeks before the set date. The procedure for participating in the democratic consultation follows precise steps:

• Receipt of the official envelope containing the Federal Chancellery’s information sheets, voting certificates, and ballot papers.
• Manual completion of the ballot, expressing ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ for each of the two federal questions.
• Signing the voting certificate in the designated space to validate the vote.
• Sending the stamped envelope by post before the deadline indicated by your municipality, or direct delivery to the municipal chancery of residence by the closing time of the polling stations on September 27.

To accurately plan your personal budget and assess the economic impact of federal political and fiscal decisions on your disposable income, it is always useful to use our free calculator.

Source: lenews.ch