Swiss voters reject bid to enshrine strict neutrality in constitution, projections show

Swiss voters look set to have decisively rejected a proposal to enshrine a stricter definition of neutrality in the constitution, with early government projections showing more than two thirds voting against the initiative, Reuters reported on Sunday.

The “Safeguarding Swiss neutrality” initiative would have written into the constitution that Swiss neutrality is “armed and perpetual”, barring the country from joining or cooperating with any military or defence alliance unless under attack, and prohibiting sanctions against belligerent states except those mandated by the United Nations Security Council.

The proposal was championed by the right-wing Swiss People’s Party and driven by Switzerland’s 2022 decision to mirror European Union sanctions against Russia after the full-scale invasion of Ukraine — a move supporters said undermined neutrality. Moscow, which has accused Bern of abandoning its neutrality, praised the initiative; opponents dubbed it “pro-Russian”.

The government and parliament had recommended a No vote, arguing the rigid wording would strip Switzerland of its freedom to respond to aggression and cooperate with partners on defence. Final pre-vote polls had pointed the same way: public broadcaster SRG SSR found 63% opposed, while a Tamedia/20 Minuten poll put rejection at 68%.

Voters were also deciding on Sunday a separate food-security initiative, which polls suggested would likewise fail.