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Corporate responsibility initiative
Federal template: Popular initiative “For responsible companies: protect people and the environment”
-
Y
1’299’173
be right -
NO
1’261’673
be right
Professional votes
- The group responsibility initiative lost the number of stands.
- Therefore, the initiative fails despite the popular vote.
- The indirect counterproposal now enters into force.
In each of the polls a yes had emerged, but the lead melted noticeably in the weeks leading up to the elections. In the end, the initiative only achieved a majority in French-speaking Switzerland, Ticino and the German-speaking cantons of Zurich, Basel-Stadt and Bern. Too few cantons to be successful at the polls.
“The initiative received a lot of approval beyond the classic left field,” says political scientist Lukas Golder in the voting study. That’s historical and it also shows the popular majority of nearly 51 percent. However, according to Lukas Golder, the “traditionally oriented and conservative” municipalities and cantons would have won.
One reason for the result is that turnout has remained fairly average at an estimated 46 percent. In September, the turnout was just under 60 percent. The low voter turnout is more in line with traditionally conservative Switzerland. “So the debate and the expensive referendum campaign did not ignite,” analyzes Lukas Golder.
Disappointed supporters
“That is bitter for the tens of thousands of people in Switzerland who have campaigned for the corporate responsibility initiative,” says Andreas Missbach of the failure of the stand presentation. He is a member of the initiative committee and represents the NGO Public Eye.
Missbach blames “misinformation,” also from Justice Minister Karin Keller-Sutter, for the rejection. The NGO will now be watching the corporations “very closely.” Furthermore, Switzerland must immediately adopt the due diligence regulations planned by the EU.
«We are happy with this result. Now we can take an international approach, ”says Swissholdings President Gabriel Rumo. With his association he represents the main Swiss companies. Once the group responsibility initiative is rejected, the counterproposal that provides for such an approach will take effect. Because one is aware of the popular majority for the bill: “Human rights and environmental protection occupy the population a lot.”
An indirect counterproposal enters into force
But how far is the counterproposal from what the initiative would have asked for? “It’s already a long way off,” says SRF Bundeshaus editor Curdin Vincenz.
It does not bring any responsibility. “And that was the central concern of the initiators.” Only one reporting requirement is provided. This means that companies have to explain how they want to comply with environmental and human rights standards in developing countries when doing business there. “However, these reports are of no consequence,” Vincenz said. “Except they don’t do the reports.” That could be fined.
“This counterproposal was definitely a tactically smart move.” He was under the impression that he was not the decisive argument in the election campaign, Curdin said. “But with this close result, the counterproposal certainly made a decisive contribution to the no.”
