Majority of Swiss in favour of an agreement with EU, according to poll

A majority of Swiss are in favour of reaching a framework agreement with the EU, according to a poll run by Sotomo on behalf of the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation.

Negotiations on a framework agreement have become fractious over the summer especially discussions between the Swiss government and trade unions over job and salary protection measures that the EU regards as discriminatory and unions are unwilling to change.

The question asked of voters in the poll was: “Should the Federal Council negotiate a framework agreement with the EU?”

Majorities of Socialist (86%), Green (79%), Liberal (75%), PDC (75%) and PBD (64%) party supporters were in favour. In contrast, a majority (81%) of Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) supporters were against the negotiation of such an agreement.

There were notable difference across linguistic regions and education levels. 66% of French speakers and 58% of German speakers were in favour, while 55% of Italian speakers were opposed. 75% of those with a university education supported an agreement compared to 54% of those with no more than a high school education.

There was little difference across age groups. 60% of 18-35 year olds wanted an agreement, 59% of those 36-55 and 59% of those over 55.

Women (62%) were more in favour of negotiating an agreement than men (58%).

12,179 voters were included in the poll, which was run between 13 and 18 September 2018.

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Details of the poll (in German)

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