An electromagnetic control mechanism for a switching element is described herein, which can be switched to an open operating state and to a closed operating state by means of an electromagnet and an actuating unit that acts counter to the actuation force of the electromagnet. The electromagnet has a dedicated mechanism for dampening the actuation movement of an anchor of the electromagnet toward a section of the coil, by means of which the actuation speed of the anchor can be reduced after a distance between a section of the anchor facing the coil and the section of the coil becomes shorter than a predefined distance. The mechanism for dampening comprises at least one component connected to the coil, which becomes functionally connected to the anchor after the distance becomes shorter than the defined distance, wherein, as the displacement of the anchor increases, liquid can be discharged from a chamber bordered by the component and the anchor via a throttle mechanism to an extent that reduces the actuation speed of the anchor.