Limitation initiative: When the wording takes over the decision
A cap or a repeal initiative? It is one and the same initiative that will be put to a vote on September 27. Both political camps use different terms. A study by DieMarktforscher.org shows that the wording influences people’s decisions.
Source: 600 online interviews CAWI (all of Switzerland). Persons 1869 (representative selection procedure; survey on the limitation initiative: CW 32 2020; survey on the termination initiative: CW 33 2020).
The results of the representative study come as little surprise. They confirm what one would expect anyway: it is no coincidence that the proponents use the term "limitation", which has positive connotations in connection with population growth and density stress, while the opponents focus on the associated termination of the bilateral agreements and thus reduce the initiative to its negative effects. It can be seen that the clear rejection rate under the name "Limitation Initiative" is significantly lower than under the name "Termination Initiative".
The number of people who are unreservedly in favor of it remains unaffected by the wording at 23%. However, those who are more in favor of it and are generally undecided vary.
If the different approval and rejection ratings of the pro and con camps are added together, it becomes clear that almost 60 percent of respondents are in favor of the "Limitation Initiative", while only 38 percent are in favor of the "Dismissal Initiative".
