Ticino's FDP rejects federal initiatives on food and neutrality

The cantonal committee of Ticino's FDP met at the OSC theatre in Mendrisio ahead of the federal vote on September 27, rejecting both the «Per un'alimentazione sicura» ('For food security') initiative and the «sulla neutralità» ('on neutrality') initiative.

The meeting opened with a tribute to Mari Luz Besomi-Candolfi, president of Ticino's Liberal-Radical Women, and lawyer Giancarlo Olgiati, both of whom died in recent days. Party president Alessandro Speziali recalled their commitment, highlighting in particular Olgiati's contribution to critical thinking.

In his political address, Speziali stressed the need to rebuild trust in cantonal institutions, which he described as «fortemente scossa» ('badly shaken'). He listed among the party's priorities schools, hospitals, reconciling family and work, and the fight against bureaucracy, alongside favourable framework conditions for businesses, workers and investment. «Forse fa meno rumore dell'ennesima polemica sui social. Ma questa è politica» ('It may make less noise than the umpteenth social-media row. But that is politics'), Speziali said.

Looking ahead to the 2027 cantonal elections, the president recalled the values of the liberal-radical tradition — «impegno, milizia, responsabilità, affidabilità, coraggio e spirito istituzionale» ('commitment, militia spirit, responsibility, reliability, courage and institutional spirit') — words that, in his view, are «oggi terribilmente moderne» ('today terribly modern').

Lists in the works, no to both texts

Vice-president Giovanni Poloni updated the committee on the preparation of the electoral lists: around 50 conversations have already been held with as many prospective candidates. «L'obiettivo è di costruire un progetto politico, non una semplice lista di nomi» ('The goal is to build a political project, not simply a list of names'), Poloni explained. The presidential office will complete its assessment during September.

On the substance of the votes, the committee judged the food-security initiative to be «estrema» ('extreme'), citing fears of serious consequences for agriculture and of state interference in citizens' dietary choices, potentially amounting to a de facto imposition of a vegan diet.

The debate was more nuanced on the neutrality initiative, discussed with FDP national councillor Simone Gianini and Communist Party cantonal deputy Lea Ferrari, following an introduction by Stefano Giedemann. The discussion centred on the role of Swiss neutrality in a rapidly shifting geopolitical context. The committee rejected the text, judging that it would lead to an excessively rigid neutrality, ill-suited to current challenges.

What remains unclear is the economic weight the food initiative would carry for the agricultural sector and the food supply chain, should it be accepted at the ballot box.