Swiss voters reject stricter neutrality rules that would curb Nato cooperation

Swiss voters rejected a proposal to impose a strict constitutional definition of neutrality. Final figures from the Federal Statistical Office showed that about 70% of voters and every canton opposed the measure.

The initiative would have enshrined “perpetual and armed neutrality”, barred Switzerland from joining military alliances and prevented it from sanctioning warring states unless the United Nations authorised such action.

Swiss People’s Party initiative

The proposal was promoted by the far-right Swiss People’s party (SVP). Supporters argued that Switzerland’s decision to mirror EU sanctions against Russia after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 had weakened its traditional neutrality.

The government and most political parties opposed the measure. They said it would make Switzerland a less reliable partner in international security policy and restrict cooperation with Nato.

Switzerland is not a Nato member, but it has cooperated with the alliance for 30 years. The government also argued that the proposed rules would reduce the country’s ability to respond to security threats.

Defeat for strict-neutrality campaign

The result was a major setback for billionaire Christoph Blocher, a prominent supporter of the initiative. Bloomberg reported that he spent 2m Swiss francs — about €2.1m or £1.8m — on the campaign.

Green party lawmaker Sibel Arslan said voters had recognised the proposal as an attempt to isolate Switzerland and avoid responsibility when international law was being violated.

Analysts said the result indicated that Swiss voters accepted the government’s current interpretation of neutrality. Katy Romy, a correspondent for SwissInfo, wrote that the vote left the government room to adapt its policy to geopolitical changes.

Swiss neutrality was formally recognised after the Napoleonic wars ended in 1815. Russia’s foreign ministry had praised the initiative and criticised Switzerland’s sanctions against Russia. The SVP accepted the defeat and said it had no current plans for further action.