Key facts
- Swiss voters will decide on Sunday whether to approve a more restrictive form of neutrality.
- The proposal would block Switzerland from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO.
- The Swiss People's Party (SVP) backs the proposal, arguing Switzerland's traditional neutrality has been eroded.
- Opinion polls suggest 68% of voters are against the proposal, with 31% in favor.
- Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis stated the proposal would harm national security and prevent NATO training.
Swiss voters are set to decide on Sunday whether to adopt a more restrictive interpretation of neutrality that would prevent the country from imposing economic sanctions or cooperating with NATO. The referendum, initiated by the right-wing Swiss People's Party (SVP), seeks to enshrine a strict definition of neutrality in the constitution.
While Switzerland's neutrality has been internationally recognized since 1815, its implementation has not been explicitly defined in law. The SVP argues that Bern's decision to impose sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine has eroded this traditional stance. Campaign posters urging a "No war, yes to neutrality" vote have appeared across the country.
However, recent opinion polls indicate that the proposal is likely to be rejected, with one survey showing 68% against and 31% in favor. Fabio Wasserfallen, a professor of European Politics at the University of Bern, noted that while Swiss voters generally support neutrality, they approve of the government's current implementation and do not wish to change the sanctions policy against Russia.
Christoph Blocher, a billionaire businessman and SVP supporter, stated that Switzerland has remained out of wars for 200 years due to its armed neutrality but believes this has been less adhered to in recent years, leading Russia to view Switzerland as a party to the conflict. Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis has opposed the proposal, warning it would harm national security and preclude training with NATO.