The gap between urban and rural areas is growing in the perception of the population

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In particular, the number of respondents who perceive a large contrast between urban and rural areas, but at the same time are convinced that Switzerland can withstand this, has increased. Their share increased from 40 to 46 percent. 21 percent of the approximately 3,000 respondents currently see a stress test for Switzerland, Fenaco and the research institute Sotomo told the media in Bern on Thursday.

The political contrast between urban and rural areas is stabilizing, according to an analysis of voting behaviour. Where the voting behavior between large cities and rural areas differed in the years 2020 and 2021, the contrast between urban and rural areas was again within the long-term average in 2022, according to the study.

An exception is the citizens’ initiative against factory farming (2022), which is in the top 5 of polls with the largest difference between urban and rural areas since 1981. Five of the ten polls with the largest difference between urban and rural areas concern agriculture.

Cities determine the trends

The evaluation of the research shows that identification with the country is increasing. It is true that just over half of the Swiss do not see themselves as part of the urban-rural divide. Since 2021, however, the share that sides with the country has risen from 25 to 30 percent. At the same time, only 18 instead of 20 percent identify with the city.

Even though the big cities in particular are often defeated in referenda, they are seen as decisive. Social trends are set in the cities, the economic course is set and media content is determined. However, compared to 2021, more respondents in the current survey indicated that rural interests not only weigh more heavily in referenda, but also in federal politics.

City dwellers feel that they are not getting enough attention

The proportion of the metropolitan population that believes that urban interests are given sufficient attention in rural areas has fallen from 37 to 28 percent. Although the larger cities are no longer represented in the new Bundesrat, about two-thirds of the respondents think that the interests of the cities are sufficiently represented in the current Bundesrat.

The security of supply, which was already much discussed during the corona pandemic, has received even more attention due to the war in Ukraine and the looming energy shortage. The Stadt-Land-Monitor 2023 shows that the Swiss population would like to see domestic production increase, regardless of where they live. A large majority wants to increase the share of domestically produced food, on average from the current 57 to over 70 percent.

Renewable energy needs to be expanded

The degree of energy self-sufficiency will more than double from the current level of around 30 to an average of almost 70 percent. In order to increase the degree of energy self-sufficiency, the population mainly wants to produce more energy itself and to increase energy efficiency through innovations. Renunciation is not an option for the majority.

Only in the larger cities, 54 percent of those surveyed say they want to reduce energy consumption. The addition of solar systems to buildings and open spaces, as well as the promotion of water and wind energy are clearly approved. Only 28 percent of respondents are in favor of new nuclear power plants. (SDA)

Source:Blick