Swiss vote on what it means to be neutral
GENEVA: The Swiss are voting Sunday on a much-debated proposal to tighten their country’s cherished neutrality, with polls indicating most will reject the initiative championed by the hard-right and dubbed “pro-Russian” by opponents.
Swiss voters will decide on Sunday whether to tighten their country's cherished neutrality, with polls suggesting most will reject the proposal. The hard-right Swiss People's Party championed the "pro-Russian" initiative, which aims to enshrine a strict definition of neutrality into the constitution. Critics argue that the proposal would prevent Switzerland from establishing closer ties with NATO and prohibit imposing sanctions unless called for by the United Nations.
Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis emphasized that neutrality does not mean indifference and that the country would not look away from violations of international rules. While the proposal has been rejected by the political establishment, the hard-right Swiss People's Party remains the only major party to support it, arguing that perpetual armed neutrality fosters peace and diplomacy.
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