- According to a survey by 20 Minutes and Tamedia, 54 percent of women vote for the SVP’s “No 10 Million Switzerland” initiative – more than the 51 percent of men.
- In response to the survey results, over 50 national councilors from all parliamentary groups except the SVP gathered for a joint photo.
- Political scientist Thomas Milic describes the female majority as “unusual”, but sees possible reasons for this in the greater integration of women into the workforce.
The first poll on the SVP’s “No 10 Million Switzerland” initiative indicates a close race. Currently, 52 percent of those surveyed would accept the proposal at the ballot box.
Women’s voting intentions are particularly causing debate: according to the survey, 54 percent of women tend to say yes. What is striking is that their approval is higher than that of men: they support the proposal at 51 percent.
National Councilors want to set an example with a photo campaign
Finds in the Federal Palace The special session is currently taking place. On Wednesday, many members of parliament in the No camp – especially female parliamentarians – were shocked by the survey results. SP co-leader Cédric Wermuth even described the survey as a “shock”.
In order to send a signal against the initiative, over 50 national councilors from all parties with the exception of the SVP gathered at lunchtime for a joint photo. These include FDP co-leader Susanne Vincenz-Stauffacher, SP co-leader Mattea Meyer, center parliamentary group leader Yvonne Bürgin and GLP parliamentary group leader Corina Gredig.
Green National Councilor Greta Gysin also posed for the picture. When asked about women’s voting intentions, she reassured: The gender difference is “almost within the error range” of two percentage points and it is “still early” in the campaign phase.
However, she emphasizes that the arguments speak a “clear language”: “Especially in sectors where many women work, for example in nursing, the initiative would mean chaos and make working conditions even worse.”
“Women are even more affected by foreign crime”
SVP boss Marcel Dettling is not surprised. It was “very clear” to him that more women than men said yes to the initiative. “Women are even more affected by foreign crime; we had 30 percent more rapes,” says Dettling. Many people “hardly dared” to walk home alone after leaving the house.
Then there is the school: “Swiss children are sometimes outnumbered and can hardly develop any more. “Many Swiss children suffer from bullying by foreign children,” says the Schwyzer.
Women’s majority surprised – but should they?
Political scientist Thomas Milic describes the fact that, according to the survey, women agree more clearly with the initiative than men. He was a bit surprised himself – because men are generally more skeptical about migration. But a look at the results of past votes, which also focused on migration issues, shows: “The differences between the genders are almost always small.”
According to the survey, women support the “No 10 Million Switzerland” initiative more than men. Why do you think that is?
Why are the survey results still surprising? Milic has a suspicion: In public debates about limiting migration – for example in the arena – a woman from the left spectrum and a right-wing conservative man often face each other. “You automatically associate this image with the preferences of the population as a whole – but that is far from true,” explains the political scientist.
Changes in women’s vocal behavior
Nevertheless, for Milic there are also indications that women’s voting behavior has changed in recent years – and that they are voting more skeptically about migration. «Who traditionally speaks out in favor of limiting the population? To put it very briefly, these are often people who fear for their jobs,” explains the political scientist. With the greater integration of women in working life, they will now face greater competition there, which could have an influence on their voting behavior.
Milic sees another aspect in the second dimension of the template – population density. In its campaign, the SVP also focuses on everyday situations such as traffic jams on the streets, overcrowded trains, but also risks to nature and the environment. “The SVP has already secured the votes critical of migration and is therefore bringing this second facet to the fore in order to convince a majority of their initiative,” said Milic.
Christina Pirskanen (pir) has been working for 20 minutes since 2022. She has been deputy since January 2026. Head of the Politics Department.
Christof Vuille (vuc) has headed the politics department since 2023 and is a member of the editorial board. He reports for 20 minutes, keeping his finger on the pulse of federal politics.
Stefan Lanz has been working for 20 minutes since 2021. He is a federal parliamentary journalist with many years of experience.
