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According to an initial survey, 57 percent said yes to the corporate responsibility initiative in mid-October. The ban on financing war material producers was approved with 52 percent of the vote in favor. Opinions seem largely made up.
At least that’s what the results of the first wave of Minuten / Tamedia’s 20 polls on the two November 29 voting papers, which were released on Friday, suggest. 57 percent would have said yes or rather yes to the corporate responsibility initiative six weeks before the voting date, 41 percent said no or rather no. Only 2 percent remained undecided.
The popular initiative “By responsible companies – for the protection of people and the environment” (corporate responsibility initiative) requires that companies based in Switzerland are subject to mandatory regulations regarding compliance with human rights standards and environmental protection in its global activities. If a company fails to comply with the new due diligence obligation, it should also be liable for any damage caused by its subsidiaries and foreign controlled suppliers.
Leftists and women in favor
The template strongly polarizes between genders and left and right. 66 percent of women are in favor of the initiative, the proportion of men is only 48 percent, 51 percent would have voted no and only 32 percent of women.
Supporters for Green and SP are strong for the initiative at 96 and 91 percent respectively. The request of the supporters of the FDP (23 percent yes) and the SVP (28 percent yes) is the most rejected. The cause enjoys great support in cities and among young people. In agglomerations and rural areas, most are more unstable.
The voters of the center decide
According to the survey authors, the voting behavior of the voters of the center will be decisive for the success of the corporate responsibility initiative. The CVP electorate is divided into roughly two equally large camps (49 percent each), with three out of four Green Liberal (GLP) supporters in favor of the initiative.
The most important argument of the proponents: the benefit should not be above the environment and human rights. And corporations would have to be held responsible for the damage they cause abroad. Opponents mainly fear a spate of lawsuits against Swiss companies, saying the initiative cannot be implemented and complex supply chains abroad cannot be controlled.
Few ties
In the first wave of polls in mid-October, the approval rate for the war settlements initiative was 52 percent yes, or rather yes, lower than that for corporate responsibility. Certainly, 45 percent would have rejected the referendum or rather would have rejected it. 3 percent did not provide any information or are still undecided. The matter is far from the mountain. Experience has shown that the percentage of votes in favor of initiatives often decreases the closer the voting date approaches.
The initiative “For a ban on the financing of producers of war material” (war entrepreneurship) requires that the Swiss National Bank, foundations and state and occupational pension institutions (AHV / IV / EO) are prohibited from financing to the producers of war material.
Support from women and townspeople is also greater for the war settlement initiative and declines with age. The left-right polarization is also very pronounced. In contrast to the group accountability initiative, approval from CVP supporters is significantly lower (34%) and approval from GLP supporters is 9 percentage points lower, but clearly affirmative (67%).
Left argues neutrally
According to the authors, the proponents, especially those from the camp of the green left, argue “in an interesting way” mainly on the grounds of neutrality. Investments in arms companies are not compatible with Swiss neutrality. The initiative also makes the world more peaceful, because the wars in the world are also financed with Swiss money.
Opponents emphasize in particular that the initiative will have no influence on global supply and demand for war materiel. In addition, the initiative severely restricts the investment opportunities of the National Bank, foundations, pension funds and AHV.
The results of the first wave of surveys are based on 13,585 weighted responses from survey participants from all parts of the country. The survey took place on October 12 and 13. The margin of error is plus / minus 1.4 percentage points.
