Swiss voters reject tighter neutrality rules that would have curbed NATO cooperation
ZURICH — Swiss voters on Sunday firmly rejected a proposal to adopt a more restrictive form of neutrality that would have blocked their country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO. All cantons and about 70 percent of voters rejected the proposal for a strictly defined version of neutrality to be written into the Swiss constitution, final results from the Federal Statistical…
Swiss voters on Sunday decisively opposed a proposal to introduce stricter neutrality rules that would have restricted their country's participation in NATO and economic sanctions. According to the final results from the Federal Statistical Office, all cantons and around 70% of voters turned down the proposal to embed a specific definition of neutrality into Switzerland's constitution.
Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis emphasized in a press conference that the outcome does not reflect a stance against neutrality. Switzerland has maintained a neutral position since the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1815, although the implementation of this principle is not explicitly detailed. The right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP) argued that Switzerland's traditional neutrality has been compromised due to sanctions imposed on Russia in response to its invasion of Ukraine.
Campaign materials prominently displayed across the nation urged citizens to vote for "No war, yes to neutrality," featuring white peace symbols.
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