Swiss voters have rejected a proposal by right-wing forces to introduce stricter neutrality rules that would prevent the country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO, reports Reuters.
All Swiss cantons and approximately 70% of referendum participants voted against a stricter definition of neutrality. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis stated at a press conference following the announcement of the results that this did not constitute a vote against neutrality; Switzerland has been, is, and will remain neutral.
Although Swiss neutrality has been internationally recognized since the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, the government has indicated that it lacks a clear definition. The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) argued that Switzerland had abandoned its traditional stance after Bern imposed sanctions on Russia following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During the campaign, proponents of stricter rules displayed posters across the country featuring white peace doves and the slogans “No to war, yes to neutrality!” Cassis stated that maintaining the current stance would allow Switzerland to decide on sanctions on a case-by-case basis and to cooperate with partners to strengthen national security—which, the minister emphasized, depends on the collective security of its neighbors and Europe.
With the exception of the SVP,
the majority of the country’s political parties and the government opposed the proposal.
The Green Party, the Social Democrats, The Centre, and the FDP expressed relief at the referendum’s outcome. Green Party MP Sibel Arslan remarked that voters understood the SVP’s aim: for Switzerland to isolate itself and avoid taking responsibility when international law is trampled upon. In a statement, the FDP noted that the decision was crucial for an armed yet neutral Switzerland that retains its capacity to act.
Meanwhile, the SVP conceded defeat, noting that the party currently has no plans for further action on the matter. SVP MP Lukas Reinmann said that while he was naturally unhappy with the result, he found the determination shown by all parties to preserve Swiss neutrality to be encouraging. He stated that it is abundantly clear that neutrality is part of Switzerland’s identity, and that, going forward, opponents of the proposal would be judged by how they uphold the commitment to remain neutral. Reinmann emphasized that if the government or the proposal’s opponents were to stray from maintaining neutrality—for instance, by imposing stricter sanctions—the party would have to address the issue again.
Fabio Wasserfallen, a professor of European politics at the University of Bern, said before the vote that Swiss voters value neutrality but are satisfied with how the current government applies it. Furthermore, the Swiss generally support sanctions against Russia due to the war and do not wish for that to change.
Read also: Swiss to vote on strengthening neutrality
Switzerland rejects proposal to tighten neutrality rules
