Swiss Voters Lean Towards Approval of Health and Energy Initiatives, Poll Shows
Swiss Voters Lean Towards Approval of Health and Energy Initiatives, Poll Shows
Wed, Apr 24th 2024
Early polling indicates Swiss voters are likely to approve initiatives on healthcare cost control and energy tax waivers, with significant support varying across demographic lines.
KEYSTONE/Valentin Flauraud
According to a recent survey by 20 Minuten and Tamedia, several federal proposals set for a vote on June 9 are currently favored by Swiss voters. The initiatives concerning healthcare premiums and energy tax waivers show promising preliminary support, though opinions may still shift as the referendum campaign progresses.
The “Maximum 10 percent of income for health insurance premiums (premium relief initiative),” initiated by the SP, has garnered 60% support, indicating strong backing especially from voters earning less than CHF 4,000 monthly.
The initiative is most favoured among SP supporters (87%), with a noticeable decline in support from higher income earners and higher education levels. Regionally, French-speaking Switzerland shows greater support (69%) compared to German-speaking areas (57%).
The “For lower premiums – cost brake in the healthcare system (cost brake initiative)” sees a 54% approval rating, with notable backing in Italian-speaking Switzerland at 64%.
Like the premium relief, this initiative finds less favour among higher earners and the highly educated, suggesting concerns over potential impacts on healthcare quality and a feared introduction of a two-tier system.
In addition to healthcare reforms, the “Federal Act on the Supply of Electricity from Renewable Energies” proposed in response to Parliament’s energy decree is also finding favor, with 65% approval across demographic lines.
This initiative is supported broadly across income groups, emphasising a national push towards renewable energy despite concerns about potential impacts on natural landscapes.
Contrasting these supportive trends, the “For freedom and physical integrity (stop compulsory vaccination)” initiative shows a more divided landscape, with 51% opposing and 29% in favour.
Uncertainty remains high, as 20% of respondents have yet to decide. This initiative sees its strongest support from SVP voters, reflecting a significant political divide on issues of vaccination and personal freedom.
These early figures reflect a snapshot from the survey conducted on April 17 and 18, with a participation of 12,395 people nationwide and a margin of error at 1.5 percentage points.
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