First SRG poll shows Swiss voters lean against Neutrality Initiative and tie on food measure

Clear lead for opponents of the Neutrality Initiative

The first national trend survey by research institute gfs.bern for the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation (SRG) shows that Swiss voters currently lean against the Neutrality Initiative ahead of the federal vote on 27 September 2026. The poll, conducted between 3 and 16 August 2026 among over 15,000 registered voters, found 54% of respondents opposed to the constitutional amendment and 42% in favor, with 4% undecided. Strong rejection was registered at 43%, while 30% reported firm support. The statistical error margin is plus or minus 2.8 percentage points.

The formation of opinion is quite well established.

Deep political and regional divides over neutrality

The initiative, launched by the organization Pro Schweiz and supported by figures including Christoph Blocher, aims to enshrine perpetual armed neutrality in the Swiss Federal Constitution. Blocher invested more than 2 million Swiss francs of his personal funds into campaigning for the proposal. It seeks to prohibit Switzerland from joining military alliances or adopting non-UN economic sanctions. The survey indicates that the proposal draws strong backing only within the Swiss People's Party (SVP), where 86% intend to vote Yes. In contrast, voters of all other main parties reject the measure, including the Social Democratic Party (SP) at 86% against, the Free Democratic Party (FDP) at 64% against, and the Green Liberal Party (GLP) and Greens showing large majorities opposed.

Regional voting intentions also diverge sharply across linguistic borders. Italian-speaking Switzerland favors the initiative with 55% support, whereas German-speaking Switzerland opposes it with 57% against and 41% in favor. In French-speaking Romandie, 49% oppose the text compared to 43% in favor. Urban voters reject the measure by 59%, while rural municipalities lean in favor with 51%. Voters with basic schooling support the measure at 59%, while those with higher education reject it at 58%.

Deadlock over the Food Initiative

In contrast to the clear gap on neutrality, the survey shows a statistical tie for the Food Initiative, which will appear on the same 27 September ballot. The proposal would require Switzerland to achieve a net food self-sufficiency rate of at least 70%, increase domestic plant-based production, and implement stricter protection for drinking water within ten years. Opponents hold a narrow lead, with 49% intending to reject the proposal and 47% planning to accept it, leaving 4% undecided. Despite the close polling, 76% of respondents expect the Food Initiative to be rejected at the ballot box, with the average expected Yes share estimated at 42%.

Partisan alignment on food policy

Support for the food measure breaks along different political lines than the neutrality vote. Backing is strongest among Green party supporters at 84%, SP supporters at 64%, and GLP voters at 55%. Conversely, center-right and right-wing voter bases oppose the measure, led by the FDP at 69% against, the SVP at 62% against, and The Centre at 58% against. Demographic divides are also visible, with 55% of female respondents expressing support, while male respondents lean toward rejection. Both the Federal Council and the Federal Parliament recommend the rejection of both initiatives.