Swiss voters decisively turned down a proposal on Sunday to enforce a stricter form of neutrality that would have prohibited the country from imposing economic sanctions or collaborating with NATO. According to the latest referendum estimates by state broadcaster SRF, over two-thirds of voters opposed the proposal to enshrine a narrowly defined version of neutrality in the Swiss constitution, resulting in its rejection due to the lack of majority support from Switzerland’s regional constituencies.
While Switzerland’s neutrality has been acknowledged internationally since the conclusion of the Napoleonic wars in 1815, the specific implementation by the government remains unspecified. The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has criticized the erosion of Switzerland’s traditional stance, particularly after Bern imposed sanctions on Russia following its incursion into Ukraine.
The SVP-led campaign featured posters nationwide advocating for a vote against the proposal under the theme “No war, yes to neutrality,” showcasing white peace doves. Apart from the SVP, most political parties and the Swiss government opposed the proposal, with Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis warning that it could jeopardize national security and impede Switzerland’s ability to engage in joint exercises with NATO.
Following the referendum outcome, the Green Party and the Evangelical People’s Party (EVP) expressed relief, emphasizing that the proposal would have isolated Switzerland internationally and evaded its obligations under international law. SVP lawmakers acknowledged the defeat and indicated no immediate plans for further action, recognizing the strong public sentiment towards Swiss neutrality as a fundamental aspect of the country’s identity.
Should the government or opponents of the initiative deviate from Switzerland’s neutrality, for instance, by imposing stricter sanctions, the SVP vowed to re-engage. Fabio Wasserfallen, a professor of European politics at the University of Bern, noted that Swiss voters appreciate the current implementation of neutrality by the government and support the sanctions against Russia in response to the conflict in Ukraine.
The failed campaign sought to enshrine in the constitution that Switzerland would not join or collaborate with any military alliance unless under attack and would abstain from participating in sanctions unless sanctioned by the United Nations. Advocates of Swiss neutrality highlighted its historical success in keeping the country out of global conflicts and facilitating Switzerland’s mediation efforts as a neutral party. Christoph Blocher, a billionaire businessman and supporter of the SVP, emphasized the importance of neutrality in Switzerland’s peace record, noting concerns about recent deviations from this principle, particularly in relation to the Russian conflict.