Swiss voters decisively rejected a proposal on Sunday to introduce a stricter form of neutrality that would have prohibited Switzerland from enforcing economic sanctions or collaborating with NATO. The referendum projections by state broadcaster SRF indicated that over two-thirds of voters opposed the initiative to enshrine a more narrowly defined version of neutrality in the Swiss constitution.
Since the initiative did not garner the necessary support from the majority of Switzerland’s regional constituencies, it has effectively been dismissed. Swiss neutrality, which has been acknowledged internationally since the Napoleonic wars’ conclusion in 1815, lacks detailed implementation guidelines.
The Swiss People’s Party (SVP), a right-wing faction, contended that Switzerland’s traditional stance has been undermined following Bern’s imposition of sanctions against Russia post its invasion of Ukraine. The campaign, featuring posters with white peace doves urging a vote for “No war, yes to neutrality,” was widespread across the country.
Most political parties and the Swiss government, aside from the SVP, opposed the proposal. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis argued that it would jeopardize national security and impede Switzerland’s ability to engage in NATO training exercises. The Green Party and the Evangelical People’s Party (EVP) expressed relief at the referendum outcome.
Sibel Arslan, a Green Party legislator, emphasized that the SVP’s intention was to isolate Switzerland internationally and evade responsibilities during violations of international law. The SVP acknowledged the defeat and currently has no immediate plans for further action.
Swiss voters’ affinity for neutrality was underscored by Fabio Wasserfallen, a European politics professor at the University of Bern, who noted their approval of the current government’s implementation of neutrality. The electorate also endorsed the sanctions against Russia in response to the conflict in Ukraine and expressed a desire for continuity in this approach.
The campaign sought to explicitly state in the constitution that Switzerland would refrain from joining military alliances or cooperating with them unless under attack and would abstain from participating in sanctions unless sanctioned by the United Nations. Advocates of the initiative highlighted Switzerland’s avoidance of involvement in global conflicts, including both world wars, and its facilitation of peace negotiations as key benefits of neutrality.
Christoph Blocher, a billionaire businessman and SVP supporter, emphasized the historical success of Swiss neutrality in maintaining peace for two centuries by staying armed and neutral. However, he expressed concerns over the erosion of neutrality in recent years, particularly with Russia viewing Switzerland as complicit in the conflict due to imposed sanctions.