The electoral importance and evolution of climate‐related energy policy: evidence from Switzerland

Abstract In this study, we provide descriptive evidence on the importance and evolution of climate‐related energy policy in Swiss elections over past 15 years. We combined data collected by us issue transition (as primary tool to prevent climate change) party manifestos with results recent election studies voter preferences. Our findings indicate that environmental issues have become increasingly polarizing for both parties voters. This development was mainly driven populist right SVP. Simultaneously, salience has risen across electorate political divide. However, owning green are particularly devoting less attention issues, narrowing space which compete along dimension disregarding strong upward trend these among their core