Vote 27 September: two no to initiatives (cross-border guide)

Context

In a nutshell

• Leewas survey 12-13 August: 36% yes neutrality, 62% no (27 September)
• Power supply: 31% yes, 65% no. Error margin ±1.5 points out of 13,154 people
• Trend: neutrality goes from 54% no (June) to 62% no (August)
• Net political rift: 82% UDC yes, but 91% PS vs.

Key facts

• What: Survey of two federal initiatives on the ballot on September 27
• When: Conducted 12-13 August 2026, published 13 August
• Where: Switzerland, representative national sample
• Who: Leewas Institute for Tamedia and 20 Minuten
• Sample: 13,154 people interviewed
• Neutrality initiative: 36% yes, 62% no, 2% undecided
• Food initiative: 31% yes, 65% no, 4% undecided
• Trend: Reinforced opposition to June polls

The initiative on neutrality and the one on nutrition are heading towards a rejection at the polls on 27 September. This is what emerges from a survey conducted by the Leewas institute between 12 and 13 August on behalf of Tamedia and 20 Minuten, on a sample of 13,154 people with a margin of error of about 1.5 percentage points.

The neutrality initiative gets 36% yes against 62% no. In detail, 30% are clearly against, 57% are sure against, 5% are quite against, 6% quite favourable and 2% undecided. The opposition has strengthened since June, when the no vote was 54% and the yes vote was 34%.

For the initiative on nutrition, the results are even more unfavorable: 31% vote yes,

Operational details

Deep rift along policy lines

The vote on 27 September will draw a sharp rift between the Swiss parties. On the neutrality initiative, the split is as much on the substance as on the vision of the country: the UDC sees the need to constitutionally shield a historical principle of Switzerland, while the other parties fear that this would limit the country's diplomatic response capabilities in an increasingly complex international context. This explains the electoral gap: 82% UDC in favour against 91% PS, 82% Greens, 79% Centre and 72% PLR against.

On power, the division is equally clear: only the Greens collect a favorable majority with 69%, while the SP is split 50-50. All the other parties — PLR (83% against), Centro (75% against), UDC (74% against), PVL (66% against) — oppose it. This political geography will determine the final outcome of the vote next month and a half.

Voter profiles: who votes yes and who does not

Beyond the party line, clear sociodemographic profiles emerge that reveal different anxieties. On neutrality, opponents typically have higher education and high incomes, and reflect anxiety about the loss of Swiss influence internationally. On the contrary, yes gathers strength in rural areas and in Italian Switzerland, where a more traditionalist view of Swiss neutrality seems to prevail.

In terms of nutrition, the gender gap is significant:

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Key points

Five and a half weeks to decide: how to prepare

From the date of the survey (August 13) to the vote (September 27) there are about 5 and a half weeks left. This is enough time to delve into the two texts and their concrete implications for Switzerland. The first step is to read the official material of the Swiss Federal Administration, which explains the two initiatives in a neutral and balanced way.

You can consult the full texts of the initiatives on the Federal Chancellery's website to assess how each could impact the country in the coming years. The voting methods vary slightly between cantons: some send the ballots at home, others allow voting by mail or at the polling station. Please check with your local municipality for deadlines and arrangements specific to your region.

The Leewas survey is right in predicting two double noes. But Swiss democracy works like this: surprises are always possible, and every vote counts in determining the final outcome.

How the Swiss federal vote is organised

Switzerland votes on federal initiatives through a national ballot in which all cantons participate on the same date. Each citizen is entitled to one vote on each federal initiative.

To approve an initiative, TWO criteria are required at the same time: a majority of popular votes (more than 50% of voters) and a majority of cantons (at least 12 out of 26 cantons must approve). If even one of the two

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Source: swissinfo.ch