Swiss voters look set to reject stricter neutrality proposal

Bern, Switzerland. Swiss voters looked set on Sunday to reject a proposal to write a stricter form of neutrality into the constitution. The latest projections from state broadcaster SRF showed more than two-thirds voting against it.

Proposed restrictions

The proposal would bar Switzerland from joining or cooperating with a military or defence alliance unless it was attacked. It would also prevent the country from joining sanctions unless they were approved by the United Nations.

Swiss neutrality has been internationally recognised since the end of the Napoleonic wars in 1815, but its implementation is not specified in the constitution.

Debate over current policy

The right-wing Swiss People’s Party (SVP) has said Switzerland’s traditional neutrality was eroded when Bern imposed sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. The campaign funded posters across the country featuring white peace doves and the message “No war, yes to neutrality”.

The Swiss government and most parties oppose the proposal. A recent opinion poll put opposition at 68%, with 31% in favour.

Fabio Wasserfallen, a professor of European politics at the University of Bern, said voters value neutrality but approve of the government’s current approach. He said they generally support the sanctions on Russia over the war in Ukraine and do not want that policy to change.